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 Law Division leads UNEP's work in environmental law and governance, focusing on Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the Fifth Montevideo Programme. This Legal Officer role is within the Nature and Land Section in Nairobi, Kenya.
Job Purpose
The Legal Officer will handle diverse environmental law issues, including the environmental rule of law, international environmental law development, human rights and the environment, and environmental crime, with a focus on biodiversity and nature-related law. Responsibilities include conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing studies and reports, reviewing legal documents, and drafting legislative texts and legal opinions. The role involves providing legal advice on national and international environmental law matters, assisting in servicing diplomatic conferences and expert groups, and preparing agreements. Additionally, the incumbent will administer legal technical assistance programs, support capacity building, and contribute to data analysis for planning and reporting. Guidance to junior staff is also expected.
Responsibilities
Handle a range of environmental law issues, including rule of law, international law development, human rights, and environmental crime, with a focus on biodiversity and nature law. Conduct extensive legal research and analysis, preparing studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence. Review legal documents, instruments, and materials, identifying key issues, similarities, and inconsistencies. Draft background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts, commentaries, and teaching materials. Prepare legal opinions and advice on international and national environmental law, including MEAs and UNEA resolutions. Provide legal advice on the interpretation and application of environmental law. Assist in servicing diplomatic conferences, commissions, committees, and expert groups. Prepare agreements and contracts with governments and organizations. Administer legal technical assistance programs and capacity-building initiatives for enforcement networks. Organize and assist with environmental law seminars and symposia. Collect and analyze data to identify trends and prepare reports using data visualization. Provide guidance to junior staff.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive legal experience, including analysis, research, and writing, is required. Two years of international environmental law experience is desirable. Experience in biodiversity law, within the UN system, and in data analytics is also desirable.
Skills
Professionalism in international and environmental law, legal research and analysis, legal drafting, application of legal principles, data analysis, communication, planning, and organization.