Legal Officer, P4 Job Vacancy: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Closing date: 17 Jan 2010

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level.

Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

UNEP Division of Environmental Law and Conventions (DELC) identifies synergies and promotes the substantive collaboration among Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). DELC also encourages interlinkages between UNEP's programme and those of MEAs.

This position is located in the United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions at the Nairobi duty station.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief, Climate and Energy Law and Governance Unit, DELC, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

1. Programme Development: Identify, assess and monitor relevant priorities, trends, developments and policies relating to Climate Change and Governance and incorporate them into DELC’s programme proposals;

Provide advice to the Division on emerging issues concerning future undertakings of the parties and the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change); Take initiatives to strengthen the further implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and incorporate new global and regional initiatives to strengthen the reduction of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions.

2. Develop legal frameworks and regulatory mechanisms on UNEP’s climate change programme: Provide technical advice to countries on this subject; Collaborate with relevant multilateral regimes responsible for the development of climate change and energy law to ensure compliance and implementation of these legislations; Develop, in collaboration with UNEP Divisions and other partners, normative tools and methodologies.

3. Liaise with stakeholders to support global and regional inter-governmental climate change processes: Enhance expertise of national stakeholders in climate change and energy governance and compliance through capacity building, networking and training; Monitor on-going and emerging international processes, identifying potential areas for UNEP’s strategic interventions and catalyze UNEP-wide response and actions.

4. Facilitate a series of high-level meetings/fore on the nexus between climate science and climate policy with a particular emphasis on latest findings and negotiations: Guide national negotiators in effective participation in international negotiation process on climate change and energy; Analyze emerging issues related to climate change and energy negotiations and prepare position and policy papers on UNEP’s approach.

5. Represent UNEP in policymaking and substantive inter-agency meetings: Provide guidance and coordinate the scientific, technical and administrative actions; Generate and disseminate reliable information on climate change and energy law issues and approaches;

Identify and develop new portfolio of climate change and energy law, concepts and project proposals; Provide substantive guidance to Governments to help integrate climate and energy law in project proposals; Advise Governments on emerging issues to enable them identify their needs and requirements.

6. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in the field of national and/international law and conventions; Knowledge of MEAs as they are used in the UN system; Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and complex nature.

Team work: Experience and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different backgrounds; Proven record in working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor; Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open and positive environment.

Planning and Organizing: Proven excellent organizational and planning skills; Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and make necessary adjustments as required; Foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning, and ensure timely delivery of results.

Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills; Ability to draft/edit a variety of written technical reports including those of a legal nature, and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, environmental law or related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in environmental programme or related field, five of which should be at the international level, preferably within the UN system. Experience with MEAs and intergovernmental processes with particular emphasis on climate is desirable. Experience in capacity development and training is desirable. Experience in an international or policy analysis setting is an added advantage.

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

Other Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet) are required.

How to apply

http://www.unep.org/vacancies (See Professional Positions)

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