Environmental Lawyer/Natural Resource Lawyer
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development. This role sits within the Ecosystems Division, specifically the Nature Frameworks Support Unit, contributing to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership. This partnership supports countries in developing and implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to achieve global biodiversity goals.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to support the Government of Sierra Leone, through its Environment Protection Agency, in developing comprehensive Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Regulations. The purpose is to domesticate the Nagoya Protocol, enhance compliance, and establish a legal framework for regulating access to genetic resources, ensuring prior informed consent, establishing mutually agreed terms, protecting traditional knowledge, and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing. The role involves legal drafting, stakeholder consultation, and alignment with international standards and national legislation, contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a legal and institutional review of existing frameworks related to Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in Sierra Leone, identifying gaps and proposing institutional arrangements. Responsibilities include drafting comprehensive ABS Regulations aligned with the Nagoya Protocol and Sierra Leone's legislative standards, and integrating these provisions into the Environment Protection Agency Act. The role involves developing operational tools such as permit procedures, application forms, model contracts, and compliance monitoring tools. Additionally, the consultant will review ABS frameworks from comparable jurisdictions, provide technical input during stakeholder consultations and validation workshops, and finalize the draft regulations based on feedback, ensuring the protection of traditional knowledge and community rights.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of experience in legal drafting or environmental governance is required. Demonstrated experience with ABS frameworks and the Nagoya Protocol is essential. Experience working on legal issues related to sustainable development, biodiversity, or environmental matters is required. Previous experience with international organizations like UNEP or UNDP is desirable.
Skills
Legal drafting, environmental governance, ABS framework expertise, Nagoya Protocol knowledge, biodiversity conservation, intellectual property rights, community rights, customary law, sustainable development legal issues, CBD and KMGBF understanding, stakeholder engagement, technical analysis.