Associate Legal Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the Division’s work focuses on: leading the interna-tional 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 implements its mandate through the Fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law, adopted by

the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2029 for the decade 2020 to 2029. The Monte-video Coordination and Delivery Unit operates within the Law Division as the coordinating team of the Programme at the intergovernmental level and as the guardian of environmental law at the national level. It assists countries in the translation of their environmental priorities into national legislation and, when environmental legislation is already in place, to strengthen the capacity of countries to implement and enforce these laws. The Unit supports governments, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders, and leads on all matters relating to national environmental law within the mandate of UNEP

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit, or their designated officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

· Support the review of legislation (e.g., law and regulations) in countries that have re-quested technical assistance to strengthen national legal and institutional capacities con-cerning a specific area of environmental law, through e.g. carrying out research assign-ments, drafting briefing summaries and legal opinions; · Assist with the organization of the global meetings of the national focal points and of the steering committee for implementation under the Fifth Montevideo Programme for the De-velopment and Periodic Review of Environmental Law; · 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 and build capacity on the Pro-gramme, emerging issues of environmental law or on issues designated as important by countries, through e.g., liaising with partner entities/organizations and with participants, compiling materials, taking notes and preparing reports; · Contribute to the development and dissemination of training materials and information, in-cluding e-learning training material, on the promotion of environmental law education and on emerging issues of environmental law or on environmental issues designated as im-portant by countries, to raise awareness among government officials, the judiciary and enforcement officers, parliamentarians and legal professionals, through e.g. collaborating with other Units and Divisions on designing materials and corresponding with interested participants and participating relevant authorities or other organizations; · Assist other members of the Unit in complying with UNEP and United Nations general policies and procedures for the carrying out of activities, through e.g., supporting the car-rying out of due diligence procedure for selected implementing partners or providing inputs for the regular update of reporting processes, such as the Integrated Planning, Manage-ment and Reporting (IPMR). · Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

· Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); · Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; · Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; · Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; · Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; · Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

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: o The documents prepared methodically analyze research information collected and log-ically lead the reader to conclusions; o Assignments are delivered in accordance with agreed standards of quality and within set deadlines; o The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job train-ing, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental coun-terparts, including Implementing Partners · The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); · Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment · A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

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

a field relating to environmental law at the national and/or interna-tional level; experience with the transposition of international environmental law standards into the national framework is an asset, as is experience working in the United Nations or other international intergovernmental or non-governmental organization;

· Proven ability to carry out research and familiarity with electronic research tools and databases; · Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, 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; · Have affinity with or interest in the advancement of environmental law, volunteerism as a mecha-nism for durable development, and the UN System.

Nairobi is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially. Home to thousands of Kenyan businesses and over 100 major international companies and organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the main coordinating and headquarters for the UN in Africa & Middle East, the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), Nairobi is an established hub for business and culture. The Security Level in Nairobi is classified as Moderate (Level 3) as per the UN security management system in Kenya. Terrorism is one of the security challenges to UN operations in Nairobi. Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Nairobi: standalone houses, houses in gated compounds, apartments. These could be furnished and/or fully serviced, or unfurnished.