Application Deadline: 27th January, 2021
Posting Title: LEGAL OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title: LEGAL OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: MONTREAL
Job Opening Number: 20-Legal Affairs-UNEP-144732-R-Montreal (X)
Staffing Exercise N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP. This post is located in the Convention on Biological Diversity, Office of the Executive Secretary. Under the overall guidance of the Executive Secretary and the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the incumbent performs the following duties:
Responsibilities
A. Provides legal and technical support on internal administrative, financial and human resources related matters, and the implementation of the United Nations rules and regulations to ensure the legal integrity of each matter.
B. Provides legal and technical support on corporate law matters, including the negotiation and conclusion of memoranda of understanding and other instruments, UNEP, the United Nations office in Nairobi (UNON) and other key organizations, including private actors, on relations between the Secretariat and other UN offices, activities relating to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework as well as funding and human resources opportunities.
C. Contributes to the development of the strategy of the Secretariat for supporting the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and related matters, and support in the planning and organisation and servicing of intergovernmental meetings of the Conference of Parties (COP) and the Conference of Parties serving as Meeting of Parties (COP-MOPs), the subsidiary bodies and the COP Bureau.
D. Contributes to the review and coordination of the preparation of documents relating to the implementation of the Convention, the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the Protocols with a view to ensure consistency, quality and complementarity of these documents including draft decisions.
E. Undertakes research, identifies and monitors trends in international law and international environmental processes, in particular those under multilateral environmental agreements, and identifies good practices that would be relevant to the negotiation, adoption and implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, relevant CBD governing bodies decisions and other relevant biodiversity matters/themes.
F. Establishes working relationships with the representatives and officials of national competent authorities, appropriate staff of the secretariats of relevant multilateral environmental agreements, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, including UNEP and UNON, other international organizations and private actors that participate in and contribute to the intergovernmental processes for the negotiation, adoption and implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
G. Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Senior Legal Officer and the Executive Secretary.
Competencies
Professionalism: Contributes to gain more efficiency and legal consistency among intergovernmental processes under the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols and the provision of legal advice on administrative, financial and human resources related matters. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from client’s point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies client’s needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the client’s environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects, Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession. Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally. Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates. Shows willingness to learn from others. Seeks feedback to learn and improve.
Education
Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in law preferably with specialization in international environmental law and governance is required. A first level university degree combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance of which at least three years are at the international level is required.
Experience with the United Nations or similar international organizations’ processes, and, familiarity with the processes of environmental treaty bodies, the Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements, as well as solid capacity to analyse environmental legal and governance regimes is desirable.
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. Working knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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.
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.
Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
For application details, visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=144732&Lang=en-US
