Environmental Law and Policy Specialist

Support technical legal assistance and capacity-building for UNEP's chemical and waste priorities.

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 13 May 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support technical legal assistance and capacity-building for UNEP's chemical and waste priorities.

You have:

  • A minimum of two (2) years of progressive experience in environmental law, environmental policy, international law, or sustainable development-related matters is required.
  • An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in environmental law, environmental policy, or international law is required.
  • Experience in legal drafting and development of legal frameworks for environmental management is required.
  • Experience in technical legal assistance to countries in support of legal drafting and development of legal frameworks for environmental management is required.
  • Excellent legal research and drafting skills.
  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The consultant will support delivery of technical legal assistance, capacity-building and information sharing activities of UNEP to implement the priority areas of chemicals and wastes and pollution prevention; under the Montevideo Programme V.

Work Location

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Expected duration

10 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes 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 is the United Nations system’s lead entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP’s Law Division works with countries around the world to develop, implement and promote legal and institutional frameworks for environmental management and sustainable development. Its strategic direction in this respect comes from the Fifth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V) adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly under resolution 4/20 in March 2019, as an intergovernmental programme designed to promote the development and implementation of environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacity in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. Through the Global Framework on Chemicals, Governments set targets that by 2030, Governments adopt, implement and enforce legal frameworks, and establish appropriate institutional capacity to prevent or, where prevention is not feasible, minimize adverse effects from chemicals and waste as appropriate for their national circumstances (Target A1). By 2030, intergovernmental stakeholders are mandated to develop guidelines to support the needs of interested Governments and relevant stakeholders to implement effective chemicals and waste management strategies, building on, among other things, updates of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals toolbox for decision-making in chemicals management (Target A2). Additionally, the First Global Meeting of the Montevideo Programme V prioritized waste management, pollution control, and the strengthening of national legal frameworks in line with global environmental agreements. In order to carry out the above mandate, the Law Division through the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit (MCDU) seeks to engage a consultant to support the MCDU in undertaking the various tasks required in implementing technical legal assistance, capacity building and knowledge development on issues related to wastes, chemicals and pollution. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Head of the MCDU, the Consultant will support delivery of technical legal assistance, capacity-building and information sharing: Chemicals and waste management and pollution: (i) Conduct research, review and analysis of international and regional instruments and select national frameworks on compliance and enforcement approaches to prevent, control, and manage pollution. (ii) Draft guidance and model regulatory frameworks to prevent, control, and manage pollution (iii) Support with organization and conduct of a workshop on compliance and enforcement approaches to prevent, control, and manage pollution in Asia. (iv) Support with organization and conduct of a workshop on compliance and enforcement approaches to prevent, control, and manage pollution in Africa.

Qualifications/special skills

A minimum of two (2) years of progressive experience in environmental law, environmental policy, international law, or sustainable development-related matters is required. An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental law, environmental policy, or international law is required. Experience in legal drafting and development of legal frameworks for environmental management is required. Experience in technical legal assistance to countries in support of legal drafting and development of legal frameworks for environmental management is required. Excellent legal research and drafting skills. Excellent writing and communication skills. Strong analytical skills. Demonstrated capacity to work in a consultative manner and drafting skills. Direct working experience in environmental law or environmental policy.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you provided legal assistance on environmental issues? This question assesses your hands-on experience in environmental law-related tasks. Share a specific example detailing your role and the impact of your assistance.
How do you approach drafting legal frameworks for environmental management? The interviewer is looking for insight into your drafting process and methodology. Pro members can see the explanation.
What skills do you consider essential for conducting effective legal research? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenging case you analyzed regarding pollution control. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you employ to build capacity in developing countries regarding environmental laws? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a successful workshop on environmental law you've organized? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What challenges do you foresee in implementing national legal frameworks for chemical management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org