Legal Officer, P-3

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Bangkok, Thailand

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 and environmental governance. The Law Division promotes the contribution of environmental dimension of sustainable development through law, national and international governance and related policy issues, including those related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). 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 a ten-year intergovernmental programme adopted by the UN Environment Assembly at its fourth meeting in March 2019. The Programme will promote the 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 formally commenced in January 2020 and is a flagship initiative of the Law Division. The position will be part of the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit within the Environmental Rule of Law Branch, Law Division.

Responsibilities

Handles a range of issues related to environmental law (substantive, procedural and comparative), including the environmental rule of law, the interpretation and application of MEAs at the national, regional and international level, in consultation with senior Legal Officers.
Conducts extensive legal research and analysis in the field of environmental law, and prepares studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of international environmental law.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international and national environmental law issues, including the United Nations Charter, the interpretation and application of MEAs, and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions and decisions.
Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as in the negotiation and in handling international law matters, for the carrying out of activities under the UNEP Programme of Work and the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme.
Administers programmes of legal technical assistance, notably under the Law and Environment Assistance Platform (LEAP), and capacity building for different enforcement networks, including judiciary and customs.
Prepares or assists with the preparation of environmental law seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events.
Provides guidance to more junior staff. Performs other duties as assigned.
Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports.
Provides legal advice on the interpretation and application of national and international environmental law matters.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology in the field of international and environmental law for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
PLANNING AND 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in international law preferably in environmental law or international environmental law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in law in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing is required.
Experience in technical assistance and capacity building in environmental law is required.
Experience in professional legal work relating to procedural and institutional issues of intergovernmental bodies is desirable.
A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in the field of environmental law is desirable.
A minimum of two years experience working in the UN common system, other international organization or intergovernmental organization is desirable.
Work experience in the Asia Pacific region is desirable.
A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English. Knowledge of Chinese or another official United Nations language is desirable.

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