Legal Assistant - CITES

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP and is located at the Geneva duty station. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s implementation of the programme of work of the CITES Parties. The Individual Contractor (IC) will assist in supporting the Parties in developing and implementing national legislation and in providing compliance assistance. Additionally, the Individual Contractor will contribute to the implementation of the Decisions of the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, such as on national legislation, Legal Acquisition Findings (LAF), simplified procedures, compliance, livelihoods, demand reduction etc., as well as the preparation of draft responses to queries from CITES Management Authorities. Finally, the IC will contribute to the servicing of the 81st meeting of the Standing Committee and to undertaking follow-up actions.

Under the overall supervision of the CITES Secretary-General and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Legal Unit, and day-to-day management by the legal officer in the CITES Secretariat, the IC will:

• Assist in the coordination of the National Legislation Project, including review and preparation of draft legislative analyses of draft or final national legislation for the implementation of the Convention;
• Assist in the preparation of legislative advice and guidance to Parties upon request;
• Assist in the preparation of a regional workshop on the implementation of CITES, through national fisheries legal frameworks;
• Assist in the Unit’s activities on Legal Acquisition Findings (LAF); simplified procedures; compliance; livelihoods, demand reduction, etc.
• Prepare draft documents, including information documents as required, for the 81st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee;
• Assist in servicing the 81st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, including relevant working groups under the Unit’s remit and in other tasks as assigned;
• Assist in organizing Legal Unit side events at the 81st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee;
• Assist the Legal Unit in carrying out follow-up actions based on the outcomes of the 81st meeting of the CITES Standing Committee;
• Assist in day-to-day work related to responding to queries from Parties and other stakeholders;
• Undertake other tasks to support the work of the Secretariat, as assigned by the Chief of Unit.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree, or equivalent) in law is required. A first-level university degree in law, in combination with two additional years of the required work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience: Experience in producing and editing legal documents in English is required. Experience with various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database and content management; and proficiency with office technology equipment are desirable. Experience with international organizations, as well as affinity with or interest in conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and the UN System, is desirable. Strong writing skills in English, including document production and editing, are required. Experience in preparing draft presentations and briefing notes, as well as accuracy, thoroughness, and professionalism in preparing draft legislative analyses, is desirable.

Competencies: Professionalism, Teamwork and respect for diversity, Planning and organizing, and Communication skills as defined by UN standards.

Languages

English, Spanish and French are the working languages of the CITES Secretariat. For the advertised position, fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.