LEGAL OFFICER

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development within the UN system. The Corporate Services Division (CSD) safeguards UNEP's corporate interests, mitigates risk, and provides management support. This Legal Officer role is within the CSD Legal Unit in Nairobi, reporting to the Senior Legal Officer.

Job Purpose

The Legal Officer provides crucial legal advice on UNEP's corporate and institutional matters, ensuring compliance with the UN's legal framework. This includes drafting and negotiating various legal instruments with diverse stakeholders, advising on partnership policies, procurement, and intellectual property. The role also involves representing UNEP in the UN Internal Justice System for personnel matters and advising on sensitive issues like sexual exploitation and abuse, and OIOS investigations. Furthermore, the incumbent will analyze data for trends and support decision-making, contributing to UNEP's effective and efficient management and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive legal advice on UNEP's corporate and institutional matters, including legal instruments and the UN regulatory framework. Draft and negotiate legal instruments such as MoUs, agreements, and contracts with Member States, NGOs, UN entities, private sector, and academia. Advise on legal aspects of vetting partners, partnership policies, procurement, and intellectual property. Represent UNEP in the UN Internal Justice System for personnel matters, including drafting responses and negotiating settlements. Advise on legal issues related to sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and OIOS investigations, liaising with relevant UN entities. Draft reports on fraud and corruption, monitor PSEA action plans, and advise on compliance with recommendations from oversight bodies. Analyze data for trends and support data-driven decision-making.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional legal experience is required. Desirable experience includes advising on UN legal frameworks, private sector engagement, drafting/negotiating legal instruments, human resource management law, OIOS investigations, and data analytics.

Skills

Legal principles and procedures, legal research and analysis, interpretation of legislative instruments, drafting legal documents, data analysis and interpretation, professional judgment, accountability, teamwork, and gender mainstreaming.

Explore related opportunities