Legal Officer

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. The overall objective of UNEP's Industry and Economy Division is to support decision makers in government and engage with industry and the finance sector to use strong scientific evidence to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production including circular economy, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making industry and environment policies mutually supportive. The Division promotes the development and adoption of policies, technologies, economic instruments, investment decisions, business practices and other efforts which enables to address the environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, and pollution while advancing economic and social objectives. 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. This position is located in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Industry and Economy Division, within the Plastics Unit at the Nairobi duty station, working closely with Law Division in Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Plastics Unit and with the strategic guidance of the Chief of the Industry Innovation Branch and of the Deputy Director of the Law Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: Responsibilities • Administers programmes of legal technical assistance and capacity building related to plastic pollution for individual countries to support the development of laws and regulations on plastic pollution and for different enforcement networks, including judiciary and customs. • Conducts extensive legal research and analysis at country level in the field of environmental law to address plastic pollution, and prepares studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence which guides UNEP delivery of activities at country level. • Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material relevant to the plastics value chain and plastic pollution which are relevant for providing support to countries; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies. • Handles a range of issues related to the interpretation and application of plastic pollution related law at the national, regional and international level, environmental law (substantive, procedural and comparative), including the environmental rule of law in consultation with senior Legal Officers. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts which support UNEP plastic portfolio at national, regional, and global level, teaching materials in the field of international environmental law which are pertinent to addressing plastic pollution. • 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 legal opinions/advice on issues related to plastic pollution and relevant United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions and decisions. • 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 national law matters, for the carrying out of activities related to plastic pollution under the UNEP Programme of Work and the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme. • Provides guidance to junior staff. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies • PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology in the field of national law for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents in relation to addressing plastic pollution across the life cycle of plastics. Knowledge of various legal research sources and ability to conduct research and analyze information on solutions to plastic pollution from a legal perspective. 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 plastic pollution solutions. 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 (Masters degree or equivalent) in law, with a focus on environmental laws and regulations 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. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in drafting national law particularly as it relates to solutions to plastic pollution across the life cycle of plastics, including product design or manufacturing, including legal analysis, and research is required. A minimum of two (2) years of service with the legal office of a government department or ministry addressing issues related to plastics manufacturing or plastic pollution, is required. Proven and demonstrable experience in professional legal work in advising governments or companies in conjunction with addressing plastic pollution or pollution more broadly is desirable. 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 this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). .headtable { font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border: 1px solid gray; border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; } .headTitle { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; /*color: rgb(65, 98, 145);*/ color:black; } .headtable tr td, .headtable tr th { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 6px; } .headtable th{ background-color: #F4F4F4; color: #002d62; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; padding: 12px; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable td { text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: white; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; } .headtable th:last-child, .headtable td:last-child { border-right: none; } .headtable tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .rounded-table-wrapper { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; overflow: hidden; } Required LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIDesirable LanguagesLanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IISpanishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIArabicUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTAlimited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as an affiliated personnel (for example as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme–such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS–which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link. United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. 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The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. 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Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No Fee