Human Rights and Conservation Specialist

Result of Service

The consultant will support UNEP’s work on environmental rights in particular related to conservation funding. The consultant, under the supervision of the Legal Officer of Frontiers in Environmental Law Unit, Law Division, will carry out the activities as per the ToR.

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

4 months

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 Law Division leads the development and implementation of the UNEP Environmental Governance subprogramme which includes the promotion of streamlined and coherent environmental governance at the international level, the promotion of progressive development and implementation of environmental law, support to international environmental agreements (known as multilateral environmental agreements – MEAs), and promotion of mainstreaming of environmental objectives in the development sector. The activities of the Frontiers in Environmental Law Unit in the Law Division are founded on the mission of UNEP to provide leadership and advice on matters related to international environmental law to Governments and other stakeholders. The Unit is responsible for the progressive development of international environmental law and the promotion of environmental rule of law across the UN system. The Unit implements decisions from UNEP’s Governing Body – the United Nations Environment Assembly – where it is responsible and provides legal advice to programmes and activities of UNEP’s other substantive Divisions in the area of international environmental law. UNEP has been working on human rights and the environment for almost two decades and engages with members States and other actors to promote, protect and respect human rights including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Head of Frontier in Environment Law Unit and Head of the Environmental Rule of Law Branch, the consultant will: (i) Finalize the draft human rights principles for conservation funding reflecting feedback received on the draft from various stakeholders. (ii) Develop political strategies aimed at the endorsement of the human rights principles for conservation funding by conservation organizations, conservation funders as well as Indigenous Peoples organizations and other rights holder groups. (iii) Develop an options paper for a forum on human rights and conservation.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced level law degree from a university or institution of equivalent status with specialization in environmental and human rights related field, including natural resources management, environmental assessment, environmental policy, or law is required. • A minimum of seven years of experience working on the intersection between human rights law and environmental law is required. • Prior experience working on conservation and human rights is required. • Prior experience working with intergovernmental bodies and international organizations, including United Nations agencies is required. • Prior experience in analyzing information and drafting recommendations is required. Special skills: • Direct working experience in environmental law or environmental policy is required. • Excellent writing and communications skills are required. • Excellent research and analytical skills, in particular in legal analysis, and expertise in independent research and review are required. • Results focused is desirable. • Clear and concise communication is desirable. • Demonstrated capacity to work in a consultative manner, good networking and good inter-personal skills is desirable. • Excellent organization and partnership management skills are desirable.

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.