Associate Legal Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

To fulfil its mandate, the Division’s work focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive development of environmental law; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional, and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among MEAs and between UNEP and those agreements; working with MEA Secretariats to support Parties to the respective MEAs in implementing their treaty obligations; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance.

The Law Division also leads UNEP’s role as Secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V). Montevideo

Programme V is ten-year intergovernmental programme adopted by the UN Environment Assembly at its fourth meeting in March 2019. Montevideo V Programme will promote environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacities in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Programme commenced in January 2020 and is a flagship initiative of the Law Division. The UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (UNEP-LEAP) is the central digital platform to receive requests for support under Montevideo Programme V and to organize all environmental law information from UNEP, governments, and partner organizations.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the National Environmental Law Unit, or her/his designated representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

· Support the work of the Law Division in the area of pollution, with a focus on plastic pollution and air pollution, for the preparation of knowledge material and reports on this area of environmental law; · Assist in administering technical support and capacity-building activities for Member States on environmental law under Montevideo Programme V, as well as on regulatory frameworks on plastic and air pollution to support transition to a circular economy; · Assist in the preparation of legal briefs/advice and in the review of legal documents, instruments, or other material on environmental law; · Assist in work related to the maintenance and development of the Law and Climate Change Toolkit; · Assist in performing UNEP’s roles and functions as Secretariat under Montevideo Programme V – a global programme on supporting countries to advance environmental rule of law – including the servicing of meetings, preparation of background documents, and preparing meeting reports; · Assist in the organization and support of events (meetings, workshops, and training, roundtables, and expert meetings), that are organized face-to-face or electronically by the Unit or in which the Unit is involved to raise awareness about the Unit’s and the Division’s activities, through e.g., liaising with partner entities/organizations and with participants, compiling materials, taking notes and preparing reports; · Perform other relevant tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor

Results/Expected Outputs

· As an active UNEP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNEP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including through: o Supporting Member States with UNEP-LEAP information products and assistance on environmental law, with a focus on plastic and air pollution; o Preparing documents that methodically analyze research information collected and logically lead to the conclusions set out therein; o Delivering assignments that are delivered in accordance with agreed standards of quality and within set deadlines;

Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Integrity Planning and Organizing Professionalism Technological Awareness Working in Teams

environmental law or environmental governance. Prior experience at the international level is an advantage. · Experience in knowledge management is also an advantage. · Proven ability to carry out research and familiarity with electronic research tools and databases; · Excellent oral and writing skills; excellent drafting and reporting skills; · Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; · Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; · Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment; · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision, ability to work with tight deadlines; · Affinity with or interest in the advancement of environmental law, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has forty-seven counties including the Nairobi Area. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s population of more than 39 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at a rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are maize, wheat, pulses, roots, and tubers. The normal “lean season” is in June and July. Severe drought in 1999-2000 led to decreased agricultural production, and according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “seriously undermined the food security of 4.4 million people, particularly in pastoral areas”.

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at cost. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that is serves as the headquarters for both the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme.