Legal Officer
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. The Corporate Services Division (CSD) manages UNEP's corporate interests, mitigates risk, and provides management support. This role is within the CSD's Legal Unit in Nairobi, reporting to the Senior Legal Officer, and supports the organization on various legal matters.
Job Purpose
The Legal Officer provides crucial legal research, advisory, and drafting support for UNEP's institutional, administrative, operational, and corporate legal needs. This involves advising on the UN's legal framework, drafting agreements, reviewing partnerships, and handling procurement and intellectual property matters. The role also supports administrative and internal justice processes, including personnel disputes and representation before UN tribunals. Additionally, it addresses legal issues related to investigations, fraud, misconduct, and compliance, with a focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and accountability. The incumbent will also guide junior staff and contribute to data analysis for informed decision-making, ensuring the organization operates effectively and ethically within its mandate.
Responsibilities
Provide legal advice and support on UNEP's corporate and institutional matters, including interpretation of UN legal frameworks, conducting research, and preparing legal opinions. Draft, review, and negotiate legal instruments such as MOUs, cooperation agreements, and contracts. Advise on partnership proposals, due diligence, procurement, and intellectual property issues. Offer legal counsel on administrative law, human resources, and staff management, assisting with personnel disputes and representation in internal justice processes. Support matters arising from investigations, audits, and oversight activities, including fraud, corruption, accountability, and compliance. Provide legal advice on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Sexual Harassment, and other misconduct issues. Contribute to awareness-raising and training on PSEA and accountability. Guide junior personnel and interns, and analyze data for reporting and decision-making.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive legal experience, including analysis, research, and writing, is required. Experience in administrative law, HR, staff management, and representing the organization in personnel matters before UN tribunals is essential. Experience drafting and negotiating legal instruments is also required. Desirable experience includes advising on OIOS investigations, PSEA/sexual harassment, fraud/compliance, partnerships, intellectual property, and data analytics.
Skills
Legal principles and research, legal drafting and negotiation, administrative law, human resources law, staff management, internal justice processes, contract review, intellectual property, data analysis, professional judgment, accountability, teamwork, communication.