JOBS: Legal Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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.

This post is located in the UNEP's Corporate Services Division's Legal Unit at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

Support the work of the Corporate Services Division:

• Assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs, academia, public entities, and the private sector.
• Assists the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Coordination Office, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Coordination Office, and the Public Sector Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation in the review of agreements, amendments, and other legal instruments; also in the review of UN or UNEP administrative issuances and policy decisions that may have implications for UNEP’s GEF, GCF, and UNEP’s overall program portfolio.
• Carries out or assists in carrying out the legal assessment and due diligence of potential partners under the UNEP Private Sector Engagement Policy, and provides legal support to the Private Sector in the implementation of the legal component of the Private Sector Engagement Policy.
• Provides legal advice on human resources matters, including on outside activities and non-reimbursable loans; reviews administrative matters.
• Provides or assists with the legal advice on procurement issues, reviews, comments, and makes proposals on the relevant procurement contracts to be signed on behalf of UNEP.
• Provides or assists with legal advice to the Executive Office in relation to investigations and preliminary assessments, including drafting internal briefing notes and reports.

Corporates legal and institutional support and opinion:

• Assists in drafting or updating of corporate policies on matters such as partnerships centers collaborating with UNEP, use of the logo, amongst, other.
• Assists in the review of agreements, amendments, and other legal instruments under UNEP Programme of Work and under Multilateral Environmental Agreements administered by UNEP.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international public and administrative law issues, UN Regulations and Rules and administrative issuances, etc. involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law, and practice, administrative law of the Organization including human resources.

UNEP representation, counseling, and guidance in conflict resolution:

• Assists in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings.
• Assists in representing the Organization before the Management Evaluation Unit and the United Nations Dispute Tribunal.
• Reviews, advises on, and drafts legal motions/submissions.
• Assists in the informal settlement of disputes and claims against the Organization, and supports the drafting of relevant settlement agreements.
• Assists in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes and in handling private international law and international trade law matters.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of civil law and/or common law legal systems and principles. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, develop and present results, recommendations, and opinions clearly and concisely. Ability to draft legal papers and work under pressure. Ability to apply good legal judgment in the context of assignments given. 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.
• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes 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 organizational 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 a 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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law or a related field is required. A first law level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal and corporate policy analysis, research, and writing is required
• Experience within the UN system or similar international organizations is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating with a wide arrange of teams and counterparts within organizations and with other organizations worldwide.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.