Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This 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.
Responsibilities
Under 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.
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, 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.
Education
- Advanced 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.
Work Experience
- A 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.
Languages
- English 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.
Application instructions
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