UNDP Jobs - 82162- International -Environmental Lawyer

International -Environmental Lawyer

Location :

Home based, MYANMAR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

30-Nov-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

10 working days

Languages Required :

English

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

UNDP Myanmar has commenced implementation of its Country Programme for 2018-2022. Integrated programming has guided the design of the new programme in order to better address the inter-linkages between peace-building, governance, natural resource management and disaster resilience, inclusive growth, and the vertical linkages between subnational and national governance levels.

The Governance for Resilience and Sustainability Project (GRSP) leverages existing AF/GEF/REDD/GCF vertical funding and links up to horizontally and vertically with UNDP Country Programme key priority areas working at national and sub-national levels. GRSP is designed to help the Government of Myanmar (GoM) implement recent policy reforms related to environmental governance, climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR), to ensure that economic growth in Myanmar is more inclusive, resilient and sustainable. The project recognizes that environmental degradation, when combined with natural disasters and effects of climate change, undermines the attainment of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Under the new Country Program, UNDP will continue to support the implementation of the new National Environmental Policy (NEP) and Myanmar Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR) at the Union and sub-national levels. This implementation of the NEP will be through the development of a national level Master Plan and similar master plans at the sub-national levels, to guide priority environmental governance interventions and the mainstreaming of environmental considerations throughout all government planning and decision-making.

Strengthening resilience and sustainability policy frameworks are one of the outputs under the UNDP’s Governance Resilience and Sustainability Project (GRSP). To fulfill this key result, UNDP is currently supporting Environment Conservation Department (ECD) in implementing National Environmental Policy (NEP) and Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in implementing MAPDRR) at Union and sub-national levels. GRSP also supports key counterparts implement the new policies, including by promoting an integrated environmental financing framework by helping develop comprehensive organisational and human resources development plans, and by training key stakeholders in resilience and sustainability concepts.

GRSP also operates as an ‘umbrella’ project for integrating other key environment, climate and DRR related projects within UNDP’s portfolio. A recently agreed project to support strengthened management of Inle Lake in Shan State is integrated into the management of GRSP.

Inle Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Myanmar. In addition to its ecological importance, Inle Lake is also unique for the way the local inhabitants have adapted their lifestyle to their environment. The Lake and its watershed provides several ecosystem services on which local people depend. It is also an area of cultural significance where century-old civilizations flourished. The Inle Lake ecosystem is deteriorating at an alarmingly high rate and is further impacted by degradation of the surrounding watershed areas, expansion of agriculture (floating gardens), excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pollution and run-off from human settlements and tourism operations, and the introduction of invasive alien species to the Lake.

In line with the Five-Year Action Plan for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Management of Inle Lake (2010/11 to 2014/2015) developed by the then Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry (now the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation), from January 2012 – July 2016 the Ministry and UNDP, and in partnership with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), implemented the Inle Lake Conservation and Rehabilitation Project. The project aimed to restore the environmental stability of the Lake and improve the quality of life of local communities through the implementation of environmental conservation and environmentally friendly community development activities. A final evaluation of the project highlighted that much work remains to be done in the coming years to create a functioning lake authority which is financially sustainable, can manage conservation activities, monitor change over time, and improve overall environmental conditions in the Lake. The success of any future projects will be determined by the ‘operational’ strength of the Inle Lake Management Authority (ILMA) to ensure that the underlying causes of the environmental and social problems in and around the Lake are addressed in a sustainable manner.

UNDP is seeking an environmental lawyer to support the finalization of the ILMA law and to support the national environmental lawyer to prepare training materials for State and Region parliamentarians on environmental conservation and natural resources management law and policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

With the technical guidance of Project Manager and Chief Technical Advisor (GRSP) from UNDP Country Office, the environmental lawyer will:

Review the draft ILMA law and provide recommendations to the Shan State Parliament and other stakeholders on specific amendments to strengthen the governance arrangements for the ILMA in order to pursue sustainable development outcomes for Inle Lake, drawing on best practices and comparable arrangements (other lake basin management arrangements and/or integrated natural resources management arrangements).
Provide guidance and feedback to the national environmental lawyer on their analysis of the draft law and recommended amendments.
Support the national environmental lawyer’s preparation of a half-day training course on environmental conservation and natural resources management legal and policy issues targeting State and Region parliamentarians – by reviewing course outlines and materials, providing practical examples of environmental and natural resources management laws (from the ASEAN region) that could be adopted, and by responding to any questions posed by the national lawyer.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.

Functional competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness:
Ability to contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Demonstrates practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Client Orientation:

Maintains relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Professionalism:

Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Excellent reporting skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Educational background

A masters degree in environmental law (or at least a bachelors degree in law plus a masters degree in environmental management, environmental policy, environmental economics, or a natural resources management field)

Relevant Experience

At least 10 years of work experience in undertaking legal analysis and providing legal advice on environment and natural resources management issues
Demonstrated experience drafting regulations relevant to integrated lake basin governance
Specific experience in Myanmar or other South East Asian countries will be an advantage
Experience working in a cross-cultural context and supporting junior lawyers whose first language is not English
Experience working with government agencies, INGOs, UN agencies and civil society will be an advantage

English language skills

Excellent command of written and spoken English