Legal and Risk 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. This role is situated within UNEP's Executive Office in Nairobi, Kenya, reporting to the Chief of Staff and collaborating with relevant offices.
Job Purpose
This Legal and Risk Officer role supports UNEP's Executive Office by managing critical functions in Conduct and Discipline, Risk Management, and Grievance Redress. The position involves coordinating awareness initiatives, acting as a point of contact for misconduct concerns, providing legal advice, and maintaining confidential records. It also supports the Enterprise Risk Management framework, prepares risk reports, and promotes a risk-aware culture. Furthermore, the role handles stakeholder complaints, advises on protective measures, manages grievance processes, and contributes to policy updates and reporting, ensuring effective data analysis and visualization for informed decision-making and operational efficiency within the organization.
Responsibilities
Manage conduct and discipline matters by coordinating awareness initiatives, facilitating training, serving as a point of contact for misconduct concerns, conducting initial assessments, and advising on appropriate mechanisms. Maintain confidential records, identify trends, and contribute to periodic reports. Provide legal advice on conduct and discipline issues and liaise with relevant UN entities. Support the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework by preparing documentation for ERM Committee meetings, providing analytical and coordination support, and assisting in the preparation of periodic risk reports. Update risk management tools and collaborate with internal functions to review mitigation measures. Promote a risk-aware culture through training and engagement. Oversee grievance redress by monitoring and receiving complaints, conducting initial eligibility screening, and analyzing potential protective measures. Explain the grievance process, maintain expert rosters, and support compliance reviews and dispute resolution. Document and monitor decisions, maintain public-facing information, and manage grievance cases through the Case Management System. Contribute to annual reporting on stakeholder complaints and support policy updates. Analyze data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive professional experience in legal advisory services, compliance, administration, programme management, or a related field is required. Experience in conduct and discipline, enterprise risk management, grievance redress, or accountability mechanisms is essential. Desirable experience includes data analytics, working with confidential cases, coordinating across functions, and familiarity with international organizations.
Skills
Professionalism, legal principles and procedures, legal research and analysis, legislative interpretation, report drafting, good legal judgment, data analysis and interpretation, planning and organizing, client orientation, communication, and attention to detail.