Jobs - 49660- Re-advertisement - Legal Assistant

Re-advertisement - Legal Assistant - National UNV

Location :

Abidjan, COTE d'IVOIRE

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

30-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Candidates who previously applied need not re-apply.

UNEP is a United Nation’s organization in charge of the protection of the global environment. UNEP has been established since 1974 the regional seas program with the view to addressing the degradation of the oceans and seas of many regions of the world, including African region. The Abidjan Convention has been established in this context along with the purpose to set up legal mechanisms and instruments for the protection of marine and coastal areas of the neighboring States of the western, central and southern African States. The Secretariat of the Convention is implementing (i) the Component 3 (biodiversity, habitat and water quality) of the GEF Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) Project and (ii) the West, Central and Southern Africa part of the UNEP Marine and Coastal Strategy for Africa supported by SIDA. In order to efficiently carry out the activities related to the implementation of these two programs, there is a real need to recruit additional staff to support the Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Secretariat of Abidjan Convention, the UN Volunteer (Legal Assistant) will undertake the following tasks based on the first meeting of the States Parties to the Abidjan Convention held in Johannesburg in 2008 and subsequent meetings that have focused on the revision of texts and revitalization of the Abidjan Convention:

Assist in drafting strategy for the implementation of the previous COPs’ Decisions which have legal implications;
Provide legal advices to the Secretariat of Abidjan Convention in the field of international environmental law and governance;
Assist in the preparation of the “Coastal and Oceans Governance” workshops to be organized in the framework of the implementation of SIDA Grant to UNEP;
Assisting the preparation of the UN General Assembly Regular Process workshop for Western, Central and Southern African countries;
Under the direct guidance of UNEP Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention, provide support to the DEPI Legal Officer in Nairobi in drafting the Abidjan Convention Protocols and Statutory Meetings Decisions;
Identify all relevant national laws of States Parties to the Abidjan Convention and their protocols in the fight against marine and coastal pollution, and in the field of marine fisheries. Explore their consistency with the Abidjan Convention and other legal instruments regional, sub regional and international including the 1982 United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Support in preparing legal documents in extending the scope of the Abidjan Convention by including various maritime limits defined by the 1982 United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea, namely the Territorial Sea, the Continental Shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 nautical miles;
Support the UNEP Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention to prepare the Concept Note on the topic of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction;
Support in developing a Protocol on Article 15 of the Abidjan Convention on International Liability, repair and compensation for pollution of coastal and marine waters of States Parties;
Support in initiating discussions among CPs for the development of a specific provision on illegal fisheries, unregulated and unrecorded (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) within the framework of the Abidjan Convention;
Support in developing key partnerships on issues concerning the protection of the marine and coastal environment, particularly in the fisheries industries, ports and other industries to mobilize financial and technical resources and speed up implementation of the Abidjan Convention and its protocols;
Support in following-up on the development and implementation of an MOU between the Abidjan Convention Secretariat and the UN Division of Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea and other marine and coastal organizations;
Provide any legal advice as required.

Promotion of the UN Volunteer Programme Mandate

UN Volunteers are expected to integrate the UN Volunteers Programme mandate within their assignment as well as promote voluntary action through engagement with communities (urban & rural) during the course of their work. As such UN volunteers should dedicate a proportion of their working week to the following in support of and in synergy with their primary role as UN Volunteer.

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the influence of voluntary action by the communities affected by issues of interest of UNEP through the following:

Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in on-going reflection activities;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
Develop knowledge of non-profit community based organizations and promote major issues of these organizations through publications and dissemination of information that will influence development and peace-building initiatives;
Undertake awareness-raising (promotion) activities in communities that will increase knowledge of issues of interest to UNEP’s mandate;
Encourage communities to volunteer thoughts and actions to the development of their communities on the basis of core issues discussed in or for publications;
Build relationships with a wide range (private/public) of Community Based Organizations, (CBO’s) Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) - to support and/or participate in community driven voluntary activities and assist them to tell their stories to the World Volunteer Web site;
Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers and fellow UN Volunteers to better understand the connections between UNEP’s mandate and voluntarism;
Monitor on a continual basis the impact of integrating UNEP’s mandate and activities voluntary action at the community level;
Contribute to articles/write-ups on the peace-building and development process and experiences from the above outlined activities and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Promote and/or advise CSOs and citizens groups in the use of OV (www.onlinevolunteering.org), and encourage relevant - groups to use OV whenever – technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

Legal assistance and research are timely delivered to the Secretariat of Abidjan Convention dealing with various aspects of that Convention in particular and more generally with respect to the law of the sea and marine affairs;
Legal issues are identified, analysed and solutions are proposed to the Coordinator of the Secretariat of Abidjan Convention;
Effective coordination is established with local government authorities, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and other sectorial agencies dealing with regional fisheries management and protection of the marine and coastal environment.
The Secretariat of Abidjan Convention is fully assisted when it comes to encouraging States not yet parties to the Convention to ratify it as quickly as possible;
The Secretariat of Abidjan Convention is well represented in sector meetings, with government partners, and donors to discuss issues involving legal matters;
UNEP’s reputation, through the Secretariat of Abidjan Convention, as a partner of choice is maintained in the Western, Central and Southern Africa, in term of marine resources management and conservation and protection of the marine spaces of States Parties to the Convention;
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed;
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme was created by the General Assembly (GA) in 1970 through GA resolution 26/59. Since then, UNV’s mandate has been expanded by GA resolution 31/131 in 1976, GA resolution 56/38 in 2001 and others in the follow-up to the International Year of Volunteers in 2001.

Competencies

Professionalism

Can demonstrate ability to provide in timely manner programmatic support in marine pollution and protection issue apply good judgment and be accurate;
Ability to take initiative, ownership; and
Work independently under established procedures; willingness to accept wide responsibilities.

Integrity

Demonstrate the values of the UN in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains;
Resist undue political pressure in decision-making;
Stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular;
Take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior;
Does not abuse power or authority.

Communication

Good spoken and written communication skills;
Including ability to draft clear and concise reports;
Good interpersonal skills.

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork

Demonstrating commitment to UNV’s vision and values;
Supporting information-sharing environment;
Developing self-awareness;
Understanding and valuing diversity;
Developing team skills and coaching;
Assessing performance, promoting excellence in performance;
Facilitating learning from others;
Preventing and resolving conflicts.

People skills

Listening, giving, and receiving feedback;
Demonstrating interpersonal effectiveness;
Sharing knowledge and experience;
Handling criticism, showing empathy and becoming assertive.

Service Client Orientation

Considering others in decisions and actions;
Designing/implementing processes and procedures that effectively meet partners’ and/or colleagues’ needs;
Providing effective and appropriate service to serving volunteers/other clients.

Accountability

Taking responsibility and accountability for one’s own actions;
Considering the consequences before acting and making a decision;
Interpreting and following UNV’s policies and procedures accurately.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in international environmental law or a relevant field;
Advanced training/courses in one or more of the following disciplines: multilateral environmental agreements, law enforcement and compliance, business administration or management.

Experience:

At least 3 years of postgraduate progressively responsible professional experience in international environmental law, with secretariat of an MEA and experience in planning and effective management of projects;
broad and in-depth knowledge, understanding and experience in various aspects of the law of the sea and international marine affairs.

Knowledge

Training and/or experience utilizing computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard software packages and systems;
General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.

Desirable skills

Additional skills which the candidate should possess to provide a competitive edge versus other candidates.

Knowledge of UNEP policies, procedures and operations;
Previous experience with UNEP or any MEA Secretariat.

Language:

Fluency in French and English with good oral and written communication skills;
Working knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish will be an asset.