Legal Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: JKEUNEP/0810/2026106

Legal Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: JKEUNEP/0810/2026106

Nairobi (Kenya)

Job Description
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP’s Corporate Services Division (CSD) is the guardian of UNEP’s corporate interest, mitigating its exposure to risk and supporting the organization with management tools, plans and related capacity building.

It oversees UNEP’s efficient and effective management, in line with UNEP’s accountability requirements, rules, regulations and UN core values. This position is located in the Corporate Services Division, Legal Unit in the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the incumbent will provide legal research, advisory and drafting support on a broad range of institutional, administrative, operational and corporate legal matters and will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities
1. Providing legal advice on UNEP corporate and institutional matters
Provides legal advice and support to UNEP divisions, offices and secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements on the interpretation and application of the legal and regulatory framework of the United Nations.
Conducts legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, briefs, reports, studies, correspondence and other legal documents.
Drafts, reviews and assists in the negotiation of legal instruments, including Memoranda of Understanding, cooperation agreements, contribution agreements, hosting agreements, procurement contracts and other legal arrangements with Member States, United Nations entities, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and private sector entities.
Reviews partnership proposals and assists in providing legal advice concerning UNEP partnerships and related due diligence requirements.

Assists in providing legal support to the UNEP Partnership Committee, including interpretation of applicable policies, procedures and administrative issuances.
Provides legal advice on procurement-related matters and reviews procurement contracts and related documentation.
Assists in providing legal advice on intellectual property matters, including copyright issues and use of the United Nations name and emblem.

2. Administrative and Internal Justice Matters
Provides legal advice on administrative law, human resources and staff management matters.
Assists in the handling of personnel-related disputes and administrative review processes.
Assists in representing the Organization in personnel matters before the Management Evaluation process and the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, including conducting legal research, reviewing evidence and preparing draft submissions, motions and responses.
Assists in settlement discussions and the preparation of settlement agreements relating to personnel matters.

3. Advising on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Sexual Harassment and UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigative matters.
Provides legal research, analysis and advice on matters arising from OIOS investigations, audits, inspections, evaluations and other oversight activities affecting UNEP.
Assists in the review of matters referred by oversight bodies and prepares legal analyses, briefing notes and draft advice for consideration by the Senior Legal Officer and senior management.
Provides legal support in relation to fraud, corruption, accountability, misconduct and compliance matters affecting UNEP operations.
Assists in the preparation of responses to reports issued by oversight bodies and supports follow-up on the implementation of relevant recommendations.

Assists in the preparation of reports relating to fraud prevention, accountability, oversight and organizational compliance, including contributions to corporate reporting requirements.
Provides legal advice and support on matters relating to Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Sexual Harassment and other misconduct-related issues within UNEP.
Supports the Legal Section’s engagement with relevant United Nations entities dealing with PSEA, misconduct and victims’ rights matters.
Contributes to the development and delivery of awareness-raising activities, training initiatives and communications relating to PSEA and organizational accountability matters.
Assists in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of UNEP’s PSEA-related initiatives, action plans and other accountability measures.

Conducts legal research and prepares advice concerning disciplinary, misconduct and investigative matters, as assigned and under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer.

4. Across all areas of work
Provides guidance and support to more junior personnel and interns, as appropriate.
Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and prepare reports, presentations and other analytical products to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, legal principles, concepts, procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a range of legal documents. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyse information on a wide range of legal issues. Knowledge of the civil law and/or common law legal 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.

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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

ACCOUNTABILITY:
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

TEAMWORK:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; Is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing, is required. Experience in providing legal advice on administrative law, human resources and staff management matters, is required. Experience in assisting with the representation of the Organization in personnel matters before the Management Evaluation process and the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, including conducting legal research, reviewing evidence and preparing draft submissions, motions and responses, is required.

Experience in drafting, reviewing and assisting in the negotiation of legal instruments, including Memoranda of Understanding, cooperation agreements, contribution agreements, hosting agreements, procurement contracts and other legal arrangements with Member States, United Nations entities, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and private sector entities, is required. Experience in providing legal advice and support on matters relating to investigations conducted by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), or a similar entity in an international organization is desirable.

Experience in advising on legal issues arising from Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at the UN or a similar international organization, including matters involving OIOS, or a similar entity, is desirable. Experience in providing legal support in relation to fraud, corruption, accountability, misconduct and compliance matters affecting UN operations or similar international organizations, is desirable. Experience in providing legal advice on matters relating to partnerships by the United Nations or similar international organizations with the private sector, is desirable. Experience in assisting in the provision of legal advice on intellectual property matters, including copyright issues and use of the United Nations, and on legal issues arising from the handling and management of third-party data in partnerships, 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 United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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