Individual Contractor - Legal affairs and Compliance

Result of Service To support the Chief of the Legal Unit to prepare for, and deliver upon, the 75th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC75) and 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19).

To handle a wide range of multi-discipline and complex legal and compliance matters involving interpretation and application of the text of the Convention and its appendices, Resolutions and Decisions and procedural matters, e.g. rules of procedure.

Work Location HOME BASED

Expected duration 2 months from 1 October 2022 to 30 November 2022

Duties and Responsibilities 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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a multilateral agreement between 184 Parties. It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP and is located at the Geneva duty station.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between 184 Parties (182 States and the European Union). It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of species covered by the Convention to certain controls. All import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of the covered species have to be authorized through a licensing system.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Legal Unit, the Individual Contractor will contribute to the work programme of the Unit and assist in the servicing of the meetings for the governing bodies of the Convention by:

•Providing legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions of considerable complexity, which may include those related to annotations, reservations, to include interpretation and application of Resolutions in that area of concentration and procedural matters;

•Performing extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence;

•Providing legal support to CITES intergovernmental processes, e.g. CoP, SC, to the Parties and the Secretariat;

•Servicing and supporting different Standing Committee Working Groups as appropriate and required;

•Monitoring compliance and assisting in the implementation of the recommendations with particular attention to Article XIII processes and the National Legislation Project;

•Providing advice on the development and amendment of Resolutions, Decisions, Annotations, rules of procedure and Notifications to the Parties;

•Assisting in the preparation of documents for the 75th Meeting of the Standing Committee as assigned by the Chief of Unit;

•Assisting in the preparation of revised versions of documents for the 19th Meeting of the Standing Committee as assigned by the Chief of Unit;

•Reviewing, advising on and drafting complex documents, listing proposals, draft resolutions and decisions, agreements, or legal submissions and other legal documents;

•Supporting the Unit in the organization of COP19 side-events related to legal and compliance matters;

•Supporting the Legal Unit in the effective implementation of the Convention by monitoring compliance and implementing the decisions and resolutions allocated to her or him in a professional manner in accordance with Secretariat and UN values and rules;

•Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree in law (environmental, trade, international). A first-level law university degree in combination with at least 2 years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in the legal field (environment or international law) or a related field is required.

Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment is required.

Previous experience and knowledge of the CITES Convention or similar organizations' legal-related matters is desirable.

Language:

English, French and Spanish are the working languages of the CITES Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge any other working language is desirable.

Competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates knowledge of operations ,technical capabilities relevant or transferrable to the organizations' procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients and work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. Ability to apply good judgement, liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions, where appropriate, demonstrate high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership, willingness to accept a wide range of responsibilities, work under tight deadlines and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment. Ability to work independently under established procedures, manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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.