Associate Legal Officer

About the role

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking an Associate Legal Officer to support the Law Division’s mandate under the Montevideo Programme V. Working under the Special Assistant, the UN Volunteer will engage in legal research, document review, and digital communications to advance environmental governance.

Key responsibilities

• Assist UNEP in organizing Montevideo Programme V meetings, preparing background materials, and drafting reports.
• Conduct legal research on environmental rule of law, human rights, rights of nature, environmental crime, and emerging topics.
• Review legal documents, instruments, and related materials in environmental law.
• Provide administrative support, including enhancing digital tools and knowledge‑management platforms for the Law Division.
• Maintain and improve UNEP’s website, InforMEA, and the UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (UNEP‑LEAP).
• Support communications and reporting requirements for the Division.
• Perform other duties as required to support the Division’s work.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Law with a specialization in environmental law and governance.
• Minimum three years of progressive professional experience in environmental law and governance.
• Demonstrated experience in legal research, analysis, and drafting.
• Fluent English (required); working knowledge of French and/or Spanish (desirable).
• Core competencies: communication, planning and organizing, professionalism, respect for diversity.

Required skills

• Website content management and maintenance.
• Digital platform and knowledge‑management tool administration.