Legislation Specialist

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response Environment Legal

Overview

Assist in legislation development for environmental protection in Ukraine.

You have:

• At least 3 years of experience in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, International relations, Environment or other relevant area.
• Experience in evidence collection and analysis, with law enforcement agencies and courts will be considered an asset.
• The possession of a attorneys (bar) license will be considered an asset.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in the SDG, green recovery, climate change, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Experience of work with international, national environmental information systems and projects will be an asset.
• Fluency in Ukrainian, at least working knowledge of English.

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.

To ensure that Ukraine, represented by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, prepares and submits proposals for classifying categories of damage and losses to the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as the “Register”), founded by the Resolution CM/Res(2023)3 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe dated 12 May 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 1256 dated 01 December 2023, “On Amendments to the Resolution No. 326 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 20 March 2022”. In the future, the above measures should ensure the consistency of actions by Ukrainian state authorities in preparing and submitting applications and necessary documentation for compensation of damages caused to Ukraine, individuals, and legal entities as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, aligning with the activities of the Register, in particular in terms of identifying responsible entities and categories of damages eligible for compensation within a special international compensation mechanism designed around a victim-centric approach, ensuring that the system priorities the victim and their losses and damages.

The purpose of the Environmental Damage Assessment project is to enable the State Environmental Inspectorate to effectively fulfil its responsibilities in calculating the damage, losses, and harm caused to the environment and state natural resources within its jurisdiction, as a result of accidents, emergencies, military aggression, terrorism, or other criminal acts, particularly since the onset of martial law. The project involves creation of an Interactive Environmental Damage Register Platform as an information and analytical subsystem integrated into the State Inspectorate’s existing electronic document circulation system, and platform will facilitate and accurately document activities related to calculating the damage, losses, and harm caused to the natural environment and state natural resources within the Inspectorate’s jurisdiction, due to accidents, emergencies, military aggression, terrorism, or other criminal acts, particularly since the onset of the martial law. Additionally, the upcoming module of the integrated information and analytical subsystem will equip state inspectors of Ukraine in environmental protection with the necessary information support, facilitate the preparation, approval, and processing of documents, and aid in the implementation of environmental measures to enhance control over environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, and radiation safety.

The Legislation Specialist will assist the project "Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment" in conducting research and developing relevant legislation in the field of environmental protection, with particular focus on environmental damages caused by the military invasion. The Volunteer will also support the project in identifying the best solutions regarding the reliability and admissibility of evidence, as well as interaction with law enforcement agencies and courts in the process of preparing and reviewing cases related to environmental damage.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Legistation Specialist will be responsible for providing legal assistance to the project "Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment" in the area of environmental damage. The Legislation Specialist will be responsible for conducting the following activities:

• Assist the project in conducting research and developing relevant legislation in the field of environmental protection, with particular focus on environmental damages caused by the military invasion; • Support the project in identifying the best solutions regarding the reliability and admissibility of evidence, as well as interaction with law enforcement agencies and courts in the process of preparing and reviewing cases related to environmental damage; • Analyse the existing international experience and recommend best practices, including court/case practice for environmental damages/liability for state authorities in environmental damage assessment; • Provide legal advice and guidance to environmental law development and environmental damage assessment, environmental protection as defined by the State Environmental Inspectorate or Project Manager; • Perform various legal aid activities for the State Environmental Inspectorate and the Project Manager; • Prepare analytical papers if requested; • Assist in organizing meetings, conferences, and trainings for project stakeholders, and participate in such events if required by the State Environmental Inspectorate and/or Project Manager; • Work closely with other team members and partner organizations to ensure effective exchange of structured information and consistent delivery of project activities; • Ensure that all project’s needs are met through the timely provision of legal services support under the supervision of the Project Manager; • Perform other duties as may be required by UNDP management.

The Legistation Specialist will report to the Project Manager of the project “Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment”. The Legistation Specialist will provide written monthly reports on the progress of activities and the key challenges and opportunities, and deliverables reports as required.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• At least 3 years of experience in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, International relations, Environment or other relevant area. • Experience in evidence collection and analysis, with law enforcement agencies and courts will be considered an asset. • The possession of a attorneys (bar) license will be considered an asset. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in the SDG, green recovery, climate change, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Experience of work with international, national environmental information systems and projects (state of environmental reporting, environmental monitoring, emergency response, and others) will be an asset; • Fluency in Ukrainian, at least working knowledge of English.

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances: • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1587 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”. • USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment. • USD 101.78 Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment) for each month served, paid on completion of contract

Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements: • Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. • Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.

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Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org