Duties and Responsibilities
Background: 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. The UNEP Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the work of the Law Division focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive developmental of environmental law; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among MEAs and between UNEP and those agreements; working with MEA Secretariats to support Parties to the respective MEAs in implementing their treaty obligations; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance. The Law Division also leads UNEP's role as secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V). Its strategic direction in this respect comes from the resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) under Resolution 4/20 in March 2019. Montevideo Programme V is an intergovernmental programme designed to promote the development and implementation of environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacity in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. The consultancy will support the implementation of the project “Strengthening decision-making governance within the ministry to implement the updated NDC and developing climate-smart and resilient legislation”, funded by the NDC Partnership Action Fund (PAF). Under this project, UNEP will provide technical legal assistance to review Seychelles’ existing laws and policies related to climate change and agriculture, to draft policies and legislative proposals on decision-making governance arrangements, and to provide training and resources to government staff on the new policies and legislation. One national expert on laws and policies related to climate change and agriculture will be engaged under this project to provide technical knowledge and expertise on Seychelles’ national legal and policy frameworks. The expert will support the development of robust decision-making governance arrangements to implement the updated NDC. This project falls under the umbrella Law Division project “Progressive Development and Implementation of Environmental Law: Delivering Montevideo Programme V”. The national environmental law expert shall work under the supervision of the Deputy Director of the Law Division or his designated representative(s). Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Carry out a baseline mapping and analysis of the policy, legislative (laws, decrees, and regulations) and institutional framework governing climate change in Seychelles, with specific reference to agreed national priority sectors, identifying existing strengths, gaps, and challenges within this governance framework. The analysis should include an assessment of legislative provisions for subnational governance structures (District Administrative Offices), including their current mandates and responsibilities related to local climate action and risk management. 2. Based on the above analysis, develop a report on key findings and recommendations for strengthening legislative and institutional frameworks for climate change, in collaboration with UNEP and the Government of Seychelles. 3. Provide technical legal support to the Government of Seychelles in the organisation and execution of stakeholder consultations. Integrate feedback of stakeholder consultations into the report on key findings and recommendations as appropriate, in collaboration with the Government of Seychelles and UNEP. 4. Building on the report on key findings and recommendations for strengthening legislative and institutional frameworks, prepare draft legislative provisions with a view to implementing the recommendations, in collaboration with relevant government stakeholders and UNEP. 5. Develop and execute tailored training workshops for targeted government agencies identified above on key climate change responsibilities under national law and best practices for national climate change governance. 6. Participate in regular meetings with the Government of Seychelles on project activities and progress and contribute as requested. 7. Communicate periodically with UNEP focal points to update on progress and milestones.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, environmental law and/or administrative law, preferably with a focus on climate change and agriculture is required. A first-level university degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law and climate change is required. Proven experience in reviewing legal and policy frameworks and drafting recommendations is required. Experience working in Seychelles or comparable African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) contexts is required. Excellent legal research, writing and communication skills in both English and French are required. Strong analytical and policy drafting skills, particularly in climate change and agriculture sectors are required. Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with government institutions and stakeholders is required. Experience in legislative drafting; Experience in climate change policy review and development are desirable. Background in institutional governance reform and implementation of international environmental agreements is desirable. Experience in conducting consultations and delivering capacity-building activities is an asset.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
