LEGAL OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Transboundary Cooperation Section of the Environment Division of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). The incumbent reports to the manager of the air unit and Secretary to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. The incumbent provides support on legal and procedural issues to the intergovernmental negotiation process and the implementation of the Convention and its protocols. UNECE Environment Division contributes to the overall objectives and mandate of UNECE as a multilateral platform facilitating greater economic integration and cooperation among its member States, and to the broad aim of the Environment subprogramme to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general supervision of the Chief, Transboundary Cooperation Section, and the direct supervision of the manager of the air unit and Secretary to the Convention Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, the incumbent supports the secretariat in legal matters arising in the course of its work, in particular: • Handles a range of legal issues related to the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, including servicing of intergovernmental bodies, support to intergovernmental negotiations of new instruments or amendments to existing ones and review of compliance by Parties with their legally-binding obligations. • Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepare studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence. • Undertakes basic or extensive review of legal documents, instruments, or other material; identifies important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies, etc. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and commentaries on those texts, teaching materials in the field of international environmental law. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of international environmental law issues, including the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolutions and decisions, the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and its protocols and the decisions of its governing body, involving, inter alia, issues relating to privileges and immunities, institutional questions, treaty law and practice, procedural issues arising during meetings of Convention bodies,. • Prepares or assists in the preparation of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities • Services or assists senior colleagues in servicing intergovernmental meetings, conferences, committees, task forces, expert groups and other bodies, including preparation of background materials, summaries of issues and views of delegations, meeting reports, etc. • Supports the compliance mechanism under the Convention by preparing, servicing and following-up to meetings of the Implementation Committee, preparing legal documents, working papers and correspondence with Parties related to the review of compliance • Liaises with the UN Office of Legal Affairs, the UN Treaty Section and the ad hoc group of legal experts under the Convention. • Administers or contributes to programmes of legal technical assistance. • Prepares or assists with the preparation of international environmental law seminars and symposia, lecture on various legal issues at such events. • Provides guidance to more junior staff. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents, particularly related to international environmental law. 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 international environmental law 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law is required. A first-level university degree in the specified field of study in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationA specialization in environmental law is desirable. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing in the area of environmental law is required. Out of these, two (2) years or more of experience in the secretariat of a multilateral environmental agreement, or similar body, is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat, and Russian is an official language of UNECE. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis is a project post. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval and extension of the mandate. Candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of \"internal candidate\" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.