Legal Specialist - Pollution and Chemicals

About the role

The UNEP Law Division's Pollution Section, which works closely with the Industry and Economy Division on legislative, regulatory and institutional reforms in sectors such as chemicals, waste, plastics and textiles, is seeking an international individual contractor. The contractor supports pollution-related legal and policy work, with a focus on chemicals and waste management, and contributes to technical legal assistance and capacity building for developing countries. The post is based in Nairobi and lasts 12 months.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Pollution Section through legal research, analysis and recommendations, with a focus on the chemicals sector and, where needed, EPR schemes, mineral governance, textiles and plastics
• Help develop knowledge products and tools for technical legal assistance and capacity building
• Provide legal and technical support for policies, laws and regulations in targeted developing countries
• Assist in programme planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and coordination
• Support project concepts and proposals, including legal and policy analyses and drafting inputs
• Deliver training for policymakers on international best practices, legislative approaches and regulatory measures
• Review legal documents, instruments, policies and legislation, focusing on pollution-related issues
• Prepare presentations, background papers, briefing notes, reports and correspondence
• Gather, organise and analyse legal, policy and programme information, identify trends and produce analytical reports, presentations and data visualisations

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in environmental law, international law, human rights or a related field; alternatively a first-level law degree plus 2 years of qualifying experience
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing
• Prior experience on international and/or national environmental law relating to pollution issues
• Fluency in English (oral and written); knowledge of French or another UN official language is an asset
• Prior experience with the UN or similar international organisations is desirable

Required skills

• Excellent research and analytical skills, especially in legal analysis and independent research and review
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Desirable: 2+ years of experience in data analytics or a related area