Duties and Responsibilities
Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, local authorities, and other partners for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda, with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan, and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis on developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. Through a partnership with the Rio de Janeiro State Water and Sewage Company (CEDAE), UN-Habitat started a project to improve the quality of basic water and sanitation services in CEDAE's territory of operation, ensuring inclusive, gender-responsive, sustainable solutions that are fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To properly implement this project, a Legal Analyst is required to ensure the good execution of the work programme. Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Legal Analyst reports to the Head of Brazil Office, who will evaluate him/her. Responsibilities The Legal Analyst will support the implementation of the project, and its activities, with the following responsibilities: • Legal Framework Analysis o Review and analyze the applicable national and international legal frameworks related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, public accountability, and transparency. o Identify legal obligations and best practices relevant to public sustainability reporting and corporate disclosure. • Support to the Public Sustainability and Accountability Report Model o Provide legal input for the development of the Public Sustainability and Accountability Report Model, ensuring alignment with Brazilian legislation and international standards. o Advise on legal aspects related to the publication and disclosure of institutional performance data, including environmental, social, gender, and diversity indicators. o Ensure compliance with data protection, access to information laws, and confidentiality requirements in public reporting. • Regulatory Compliance and Risk Assessment o Identify potential legal risks associated with the disclosure of sustainability and performance information. o Propose mitigation measures to ensure that public reporting adheres to legal and regulatory requirements. • Contribution to the Socio-Environmental Diagnostic Report o Support the legal review of the socio-environmental diagnostic report, ensuring that findings and recommendations are consistent with applicable laws and regulations. o Analyze existing company programs and policies from a legal perspective, identifying compliance gaps and areas requiring regulatory alignment. o Contribute to the identification of priority areas for sustainable interventions, considering legal feasibility and institutional mandates. • Gender and Diversity Compliance o Review legal frameworks related to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. o Ensure that the diagnostic report and sustainability reporting incorporate relevant legal standards and obligations concerning gender and diversity. o Advise on legal risks and compliance measures related to workforce diversity data collection and disclosure. • Institutional and Contractual Support o Provide legal support in drafting, reviewing, and validating documents related to the project outputs. o Ensure that all deliverables are aligned with institutional policies and UN-Habitat quality control. • Stakeholder Coordination o Liaise with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that legal considerations are adequately integrated into all deliverables. o Support consultations by clarifying legal aspects related to sustainability reporting and socio-environmental compliance. o Maintain organized records of legal analyses and references used in the development of project outputs. o Attend meetings and conferences promoted by partners to strengthen the project position and presence in Rio de Janeiro. o Undertake any other duties and responsibilities within the incumbent's expertise that can be reasonably expected to help maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of UN- Habitat's response to urban development issues. o Perform other duties which may be requested by the supervisor. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System.
Qualifications/special skills
Education Required: • Bachelor in Law or related fields is required, or additional three (3) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement. Work experience: • A minimum of four (4) years of experience in designing, reviewing, or implementing projects/programmes related to public policies in Brazil is derisable. • Experience in legal analysis is required. • Experience with water and sanitation is desirable. • Previous experience working in the United Nations is desirable. Skills: • Good computer skills in Windows and Office packages and Web search engines are required. • Good handling of technological tools and use of software and online platforms is desirable. • Good handling of online event and conference tools is desirable. • Good knowledge on project management methodologies is desirable.
Additional Information
Travel details: Applicable The consultant must be available to travel to the places related to the activities in the country, if requested by the Head of Brazil Office. Missions will be coordinated and financed by UN-Habitat, according to the United Nations travel rules and guidelines. Remuneration LICA 2 UNOPS Salary Scale. Notes Appointment against this post is on local basis and only nationals from Brazil or external candidates who hold a permanent visa in Brazil may apply. The extension of this contract is subject to availability of funds and/or performance. Any contract extension is not automatic. It is required for all the curricular information to be inserted into the system, which may take a few hours. Only complete applications in English will be considered. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Applications should be submitted through INSPIRA and must include all documents required at the system, please be ready to include the following information at the “Candidate Profile” (CP) at Inspira: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Educational Background (incl. dates) • Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) • Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments • Other Experience and Expertise (e.g., Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) * * Please note that Internships, self-employment, and part-time count as 50%. In addition to it, note experience not relevant to the position will not be considered. All applications should be submitted to: Inspira UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning people or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org.
