Environmental Governance and Policy Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes 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 and has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization was established in 1972 and operates in over 150 countries, employing thousands of professionals dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. The Regional Office for West Asia specifically delivers advisory services and capacity-building support to countries in the region to achieve their environmental and sustainable development objectives.

Job Overview:
The position of Environmental Governance and Policy Expert is crucial for the successful implementation of four interconnected projects in Kuwait, which focus on developing national environmental strategies and action plans. The consultant will be responsible for finalizing chapters related to governance, institutional, legal, and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) within these strategies. The role requires a deep understanding of environmental governance and the ability to draft, review, and ensure the technical quality of national strategies and project outputs. The consultant will work closely with the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) and other stakeholders to ensure that the strategies align with Kuwait's national commitments and frameworks. This position is home-based and part-time, expected to last for three months, and involves significant collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve the project's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Development and Review of Governance, Legal, and Institutional Frameworks and MEAs: Collaborate with the Project Management Unit to prepare, review, and finalize governance, institutional, and legal chapters for national strategies and action plans.
• Develop governance architectures and institutional arrangements to facilitate effective project implementation.
• Ensure consistency in technical content across English and Arabic versions of project outputs.
• Assess and strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks, identifying necessary reforms for implementation.
• Ensure governance provisions are aligned with Kuwait's institutional framework and international best practices.
• Integrate stakeholder feedback into drafts and participate in technical discussions for validation of outputs.
• Prepare and finalize chapters related to MEAs, ensuring alignment with Kuwait's obligations and UNEP guidance.
• Review institutional arrangements for national coordination and implementation of MEAs.
• Deliverables include draft and final packages of governance, institutional, and MEA chapters, reflecting technical reviews and stakeholder comments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (master’s or higher) in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">environmental law, environmental governance, public policy, international environmental law, sustainable development, or a closely related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A PhD is also desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental governance, environmental law, institutional development, public policy, or implementation of MEAs. Demonstrated experience in drafting and reviewing national environmental strategies and legal frameworks is required, along with proven experience working with environmental governance frameworks and legal systems related to environmental management.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as environmental law, environmental governance, public policy, or sustainable development. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience, and a PhD is considered an asset. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental governance and policy-making.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas such as environmental governance, environmental law, and institutional development. Candidates should have experience in the preparation and technical review of national environmental strategies and legal frameworks, as well as familiarity with the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Knowledge of environmental issues specific to the West Asia region is desirable, along with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. This bilingual capability is essential for drafting and reviewing documents in both languages and for effective communication with stakeholders in Kuwait and the region.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is part-time and home-based, with an expected duration of three months. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or bank account details.