Associate Legal Officer at United Nations Environment Programme

The incumbent will report to the Head of the International Environmental Law Unit and will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities

1. Conduct extensive legal research and analysis on environmental crimes and other violations that have severe impacts on the environment, including illegal trade in wild species and their products;
2. Review and analyse existing definitions and approaches to address environmental crimes and other violations that have severe impacts on the environment, and to strengthen the environmental rule of law;
3. Review and analyse national legislation, national courts’ decisions and recent studies on environmental crime as well as international legal frameworks to achieve sustainable development in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
4. Review and analyse the role of institutions, strategies, mechanisms at the national level to implement international environmental law and combat environmental crime;
5. Support the organisation of capacity-building workshops and training for government officials, prosecutors, magistrates, judges, etc. including by preparing documents and workshop reports;
6. Contribute to the preparation of meetings related to international environmental law by drafting background documents, meeting reports, and monitoring meeting outcomes;
7. Provide legal input and support the activities related to the Programme for the Development and Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme) and the resolutions of the United Nations Environment Assembly related to international environmental law, especially for activities related to environmental crime;
8. Contribute to the preparation of briefs, legal opinions/advice and reports on international environmental law issues, and especially on issues related to environmental crime and other environmental violations;
9. Assist to undertake research and develop content and relevant information to strengthen the capacity of relevant parties to strengthen the environmental rule of law and combat environmental crimes and other violations that have severe impacts on the environment;
10. Assist with reporting requirements for projects in the Project Information Management System (PIMS), the Integrated Management and Documentation information System (IMDIS) and any other donors’ systems;

Perform Other Duties As Required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures relating to environmental law and mechanisms of international cooperation; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• COMMUNICATION: Capacity to speak and write clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, international environmental law or criminal law is required. A first-level degree in the before mentioned fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two years of progressive work experience in law, environmental law or criminal law is required.
• Experience working in the United Nations or other Inter-Governmental Organization on environmental legal issues is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working knowledge of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN
language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for a duration of five months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a
temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no
bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.