Background

The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global 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. The Corporate Service Division is responsible for the organization's strategy, overseeing special initiatives, which includes environment and security work, and the organization's performance review and monitoring. This position is in the Legal Unit of the Corporate Service Division at the Nairobi Duty Station and reports to the Head of Legal Unit of UN Environment Programme.

The Legal Unit provides legal advice and services to the Executive Director and senior management, ensuring UNEP's operations are conducted on a sound legal basis. It supports corporate and programme functions by advising on institutional, administrative, contractual, and procedural legal matters, and ensures compliance with UN rules, governing instruments, and donor agreements.

To address the growing complexity of legal matters, UNEP requires a Legal Consultant to support the Legal Unit in delivering high-quality legal advice and services.

• Conduct legal research and analysis on complex issues of international, institutional, administrative, and commercial law to support UNEP's operations.
• Review, draft, and negotiate legal instruments—including MOUs, PCAs, donor agreements, and consultancy contracts—ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance with UN rules and UNEP policies.
• Prepare clear, well-reasoned legal opinions, memoranda, and background papers on issues including privacy and data protection, implementation arrangements, and institutional law.
• Identify and advise on potential legal and compliance risks, particularly in third-party arrangements, to support sound risk management.
• Provide legal advice on administrative and procedural matters, including support for management evaluation or tribunal proceedings as required.
• Contribute to the servicing of the work of committees, task forces, and working groups by providing legal input and preparing related documentation.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of legal templates, guidance materials, and knowledge management tools.
• Contribute to internal capacity-building efforts and ensure that legal advice is practical and accessible to non-legal staff.

• Strong legal analytical and drafting skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.

• Advanced university degree (LL.M.) in international law, public law, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree plus two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably within the UN system or a similar international organization is required.
• Experience in international institutional law, administrative law, and/or commercial contracts is required.
• Legal analysis, research and writing experience is required.
• 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
• Familiarity with UN legal frameworks, including implementation arrangements and partnerships, is desirable.