Consultant for Environmental Rights

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The organization has been operational for several decades and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to environmental governance, law, and policy. UNEP operates in multiple countries worldwide, engaging with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to address pressing environmental issues.

Job Overview:
The consultant will support UNEP’s work on environmental rights, particularly in relation to conservation funding. Under the supervision of the Legal Officer of the Frontiers in Environmental Law Unit within the Law Division, the consultant will be responsible for organizing consultations aimed at developing implementation strategies for UNEP's Core Human Rights Principles for Private Conservation Organizations and Actors. This role involves engaging with key stakeholders, facilitating multistakeholder platform coordination, conducting outreach, and preparing reports summarizing activities and recommendations. The consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring that human rights considerations are integrated into environmental governance and conservation efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Organize consultations for strategy development, including planning and logistics for stakeholder engagement, documenting feedback, and synthesizing recommendations.
• Support multistakeholder platform coordination by facilitating meetings, developing engagement materials, and tracking action points.
• Conduct stakeholder engagement and outreach to strengthen buy-in for the Core Human Rights Principles, focusing on rights holders such as Indigenous Peoples.
• Prepare detailed reports summarizing activities, outcomes, and recommendations based on consultations and platform engagements.
• Undertake additional relevant tasks as requested by the Legal Officer, including supporting fundraising efforts.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced level law degree from a recognized university with specialization in environmental law or human rights law, including areas such as natural resources management, environmental assessment, environmental policy, or environmental justice. A minimum of fifteen years of experience is required, with at least ten years specifically focused on the intersection of human rights law and environmental law. Candidates should have prior experience working on conservation and human rights, as well as procedural rights, and experience working with intergovernmental bodies. Strong communication skills and experience in engaging diverse organizations and audiences are essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced law degree from a university or institution of equivalent status, with a specialization in relevant fields such as environmental law or human rights law. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of environmental governance and the legal frameworks that support human rights in conservation efforts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of fifteen years of professional experience, with at least ten years dedicated to the intersection of human rights law and environmental law. This experience should include working on issues related to conservation, human rights, and procedural rights, as well as engaging with intergovernmental bodies and large networks of stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required, along with knowledge of French. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for six months. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Legal Officer of the Law Division’s Frontiers in Environmental Law Unit. The role requires excellent research, analytical, writing, and communication skills, with a focus on results. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.