Environmental Law and Governance Specialist

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. Established in 1972, UNEP has grown to become a key player in environmental governance, with a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various environmental initiatives. UNEP's work encompasses a wide range of environmental issues, including climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable resource management, making it a pivotal entity in global environmental governance.

Job Overview:
The law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Environmental Law and Governance Specialist will play a crucial role in enhancing Zambia's investment readiness in critical energy transition minerals (CETM). This position involves conducting a comprehensive assessment of Zambia's policies, legislative frameworks, and institutional capacities related to CETM. The consultant will draft reports that identify gaps and needs in the current frameworks and develop actionable recommendations for improvement. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including national and local partners, to facilitate consultations and validation workshops aimed at aligning Zambia's frameworks with international best practices. The specialist will also be responsible for integrating feedback from these consultations into final recommendations, ensuring that the outcomes are reflective of stakeholder input and aligned with UNEP's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Drafting a detailed report on the gaps and needs of Zambia’s policies and legislative frameworks concerning investment readiness in CETM, utilizing indicators from the policy package.
• Developing actionable recommendations to strengthen Zambia’s frameworks based on the assessment report.
• Facilitating stakeholder consultations and validation workshops to assess the impact of existing frameworks on CETM governance and to validate findings and recommendations for reform.
• Preparing and delivering presentations on the work conducted, including feedback on agendas and meeting reports.
• Collaborating closely with UNEP, UNECA, and other stakeholders, providing regular updates on project progress, and executing any additional tasks assigned under the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental law, natural resources law, mining law, public law, regulatory governance, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in law combined with two additional years of qualifying experience in environmental law may be accepted. The position requires at least five years of progressively responsible experience in environmental law or policy, particularly within the context of Zambia. Experience in legal and policy research, analysis, or advisory work related to the environment and natural resources in the mining sector is highly advantageous. Familiarity with international organizations, especially within the United Nations system, and expertise in independent research and legal analysis are also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as environmental law, natural resources law, mining law, public law, or regulatory governance. A first-level university degree in law, combined with relevant experience, may also be considered acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively address the complexities of environmental law and governance in the context of critical energy transition minerals.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of environmental law and policy, specifically within Zambia. Candidates should have a strong background in legal and policy research, analysis, or advisory roles related to environmental issues, particularly in the mining sector. Experience working with international organizations, including the United Nations, or academic institutions in research and analysis contexts is highly desirable. This experience will enable the candidate to navigate the complexities of environmental governance and contribute effectively to the project objectives.

Languages:
Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language of communication within UNEP and for this role.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is expected to last for six months and will be part-time. The work location is primarily in Lusaka, Zambia, but remote work is permitted within this location. The role is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing environmental governance and investment readiness in critical energy transition minerals, and it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.