Legal Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. Established to address the critical environmental challenges facing the world, UN Environment works with various stakeholders to foster sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization operates in multiple countries, engaging in various initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and resilience. The Corporate Services Division (CSD) within UN Environment plays a crucial role in managing the organization's corporate interests, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing essential support to enhance operational efficiency. CSD is committed to upholding the core values of the UN and ensuring accountability in its operations, thereby contributing to the overall mission of UN Environment.

Job Overview:
The Legal Assistant position is situated within the Corporate Services Division's Legal Unit at UN Environment. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Officer and will be responsible for a variety of legal and administrative tasks. This role requires a proactive approach to legal research, document management, and communication with internal and external stakeholders. The Legal Assistant will assist in maintaining legal reference files, processing legal instruments, and managing case files. The position also involves drafting legal documents, responding to inquiries, and supporting the Legal Unit's initiatives on information management. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team to achieve organizational goals. This role is vital in ensuring that the Legal Unit operates efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall mission of UN Environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Legal Assistant include conducting basic legal research on assigned issues, maintaining legal reference files, processing legal instruments, drafting and editing legal documents, managing case files, handling inquiries from various parties, supporting the Legal Unit's online platforms, coordinating meetings and ceremonies, maintaining internal databases, providing general office support, assisting with human resources-related tasks, and contributing to data analysis and presentations. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring that all documentation is accurate and compliant with relevant guidelines, as well as providing guidance and training to less experienced staff. The role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, with supplemental training in law, office administration, or a related field being required. A strong understanding of legal processes, terminology, and documentation is essential. The ability to conduct research using diverse legal sources and to synthesize information for reporting purposes is also necessary. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team. Knowledge of information management systems and the ability to handle confidential matters with discretion are critical for this role.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, candidates with additional training in law, office administration, or a related field will be preferred. This educational background is essential for understanding the legal framework and processes relevant to the duties of the Legal Assistant.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of work experience in paralegal, legal, administrative, or general office roles. Experience with Office 365 products, including SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required. Additionally, experience in data analytics, research, and documentation drafting is desirable. Candidates with experience in using Power BI for data visualization will have an advantage. The role requires a strong ability to manage legal documentation and correspondence effectively.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also recognized as a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, and proficiency in French is considered an asset for this role. Candidates should demonstrate effective communication skills in both languages, particularly in legal contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term appointment for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. The position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be residents of Kenya or within commuting distance of Nairobi. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for international recruitment benefits. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization adheres to a non-smoking policy and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.