Associate Legal Officer, Associate Legal Officer, Nairobi

General

Description of assignment title:

Associate Legal Officer

Assignment country:

Kenya

Duty stations:

Nairobi

Work location:

On UN premises

Expected start date:

08/31/2026

Duration:

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal:

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity:

UNEP

Modality:

Onsite

Type:

International

Volunteer category:

Specialist UCoS from Apr 2026

Work schedule:

Full-time

Number of Assignments:

1

Details

Mission and objectives:

Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the 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.

UNEP's mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.

Context:

The Law Division leads UNEP's role as Secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V). The Montevideo Programme V is ten-year intergovernmental programme adopted by the UN Environment Assembly at its fourth meeting in March 2019. The Montevideo Programme V promotes the environmental rule of law, strengthens the related capacities in countries, and contributes to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The programme formally commenced in January 2020 and is a flagship initiative of the Law Division.

The UNV is required to support the work of UNEP in successfully implementing the Montevideo Programme V. There is a significant amount of work needed to fulfil UNEP's functions as Secretariat, including it raising its visibility and profile, as well as in undertaking and supporting the substantive environmental law activities required to be implemented under the programme, and the associated reporting, at the request of Member States. The UNV would play an important role in supporting these functions.

Task description:

Under the direct supervision of the Special Assistant of the Law Division, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in performing United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s roles and functions as Secretariat under Montevideo Programme V, including servicing meetings, preparing background documents, and drafting meeting reports;
• Conduct legal research on a diverse range of assigned issues in environmental law under Montevideo Programme V, including but not limited to environmental rule of law, human rights and the environment, and emerging issues such as rights of nature and environmental crime;
• Assist in reviewing legal documents, instruments, or other material on environmental law and related areas under Montevideo Programme V;
• Support the Special Assistant in providing effective administrative services to implement the Division's mandate and functions, including enhancing the Law Division's digital and knowledge platforms;
• Support the communications needs of the Law Division, including updating and enhancing UNEP's website, InforMEA, and UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (UNEP-LEAP), and assist in the Division's reporting needs;
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and external publications and actively participating in UNV activities (for instance, events marking International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles or write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age:

18 - 80

Required experience:

3 years

Nationality:

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

3 years

Languages:

English, Level: Fluent, Required

French, Level: Fair, Desirable

Spanish, Level: Fair, Desirable

Required education level:

Bachelor's degree in Law, with a specialization in environmental law and governance

Competencies and values:

• Communication
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Skills and experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance.
• Progressively responsible experience in environmental law and governance, including legal analysis, research and writing.
• Prior work experience at the international level is desired.
• Prior work experience with communications is desired.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Project management
• Programme development
• Strategy
• Climate change
• Environment
• Legal affairs

Driving license:

-

Other information

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