LEGAL ASSISTANT

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. The Corporate Services Division (CSD) manages UNEP's corporate interests, mitigating risk and providing management tools. This role is within the Legal Unit of CSD, reporting to the Senior Legal Officer, and supports the division's functions.

Job Purpose

This role supports the Legal Unit of the UN Environment Programme's Corporate Services Division. The Legal Assistant will conduct basic legal research, verify facts, and draft legal documents for review. Responsibilities include maintaining legal reference files, processing legal instruments, managing case files, and handling inquiries. The position also involves supporting online platforms, coordinating meetings, maintaining databases, providing general office support, and assisting with HR-related tasks. Additionally, the role may involve training junior staff and assisting with data analysis and reporting for knowledge management and decision-making.

Responsibilities

Conduct basic legal research, verify facts, and draft legal statements, replies, and responses for review. Maintain and organize legal reference files, both physical and electronic, and coordinate with archives. Review, verify, and process legal instruments, ensuring compliance, and update legal databases. Draft, edit, and finalize specialized legal documentation, publications, and correspondence, including agreements and contracts. Manage individual case files, maintaining detailed records and ensuring proper filing and follow-up of all related documentation. Handle complex verbal and written inquiries, providing information on legal processes, instruments, policies, and issues. Support the Legal Unit's online presence and content management systems, including case management and workflow systems. Coordinate meetings and hearings, ensuring timely distribution of legal documents. Maintain internal case databases for tracking and trend analysis, generating statistical reports and posting documents online. Provide general office support, including drafting correspondence, managing budget inputs, and utilizing Umoja functionalities. Offer guidance and training to less experienced staff. Provide HR support, including assisting with job openings, processing vacancy advertisements, and conducting reference checks.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of work experience in paralegal/legal, administrative, or general office support is required. Proficiency with Office 365 products (SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is mandatory. Experience with Power BI for data analysis and visualization is desirable, as is experience in research, drafting, and reviewing documentation, correspondence, and reports. One or more years of experience in data analytics is also desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Legal research, Information management, Data analysis, Drafting, Editing, Office administration, Interpersonal skills, Attention to detail.

Explore related opportunities