Environmental Law and Governance Specialist

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. This role sits within UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, collaborating with the Law Division, and specifically the Mining Unit. The Division focuses on innovative policy, market mechanisms, and sustainable consumption and production.

Job Purpose

This consultancy supports the project “Building Environmentally Responsible Investment Readiness in Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM)” in Zambia. The role will assess existing policy, legislative, and institutional frameworks related to CETM investment readiness, develop recommendations for enhancement, and facilitate stakeholder consultations. The objective is to strengthen environmental and social safeguards and attract responsible investment in mineral-producing developing countries, contributing to the UN Task Force's goal of enhanced global cooperation on CETM.

Responsibilities

The consultant will draft a report assessing gaps and needs in Zambia’s policies, legislative, and institutional frameworks for CETM investment readiness, incorporating desk research and field study findings. Recommendations for strengthening these frameworks will be developed. The role involves facilitating stakeholder consultations and validation workshops to assess existing frameworks, identify reforms aligned with international best practices, and validate recommendations. The consultant will integrate workshop outcomes into final recommendations, provide feedback on workshop logistics, and prepare presentations. A report on policy package enhancement, based on country assessments and stakeholder feedback, will also be drafted. Regular progress updates to UNEP and UNECA are required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in environmental law and policy is required. Proven experience with environmental regulation and mining activities in Africa, including research and analysis, is essential. Experience with international organizations, particularly within the UN system, or academic institutions in research and analysis, especially legal analysis, is advantageous.

Skills

Environmental law and policy, environmental regulation, mining activities in Africa, research and analysis, legal analysis, independent research and review, stakeholder consultation, report drafting, presentation skills.

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