Legal Officer

Provides legal technical assistance on plastic pollution, supporting countries with laws, regulations, legal research, advice and capacity-building across national, regional and international environmental law contexts.

Department: Plastics Unit, Industry and Economy Division

• Administer legal technical assistance and capacity-building programmes on plastic pollution
• Conduct country-level legal research and analysis on environmental law and plastic pollution
• Review legal documents, instruments and materials relevant to the plastics value chain
• Advise on interpretation and application of plastic pollution law at national, regional and international levels
• Draft background papers, studies, reports, legislative texts and teaching materials
• Prepare legal opinions and advice related to plastic pollution and UNEA resolutions
• Prepare agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and public or private entities
• Provide guidance to junior staff

• Advanced university degree in law with a focus on environmental laws and regulations, or first-level university degree in law with qualifying experience
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in drafting national law related to solutions to plastic pollution across the life cycle of plastics, including legal analysis and research
• At least 2 years of service with the legal office of a government department or ministry addressing plastics manufacturing or plastic pollution
• English is required

• Initial appointment is for 1 year and may be subject to extension
• Renewal is contingent on continued mandate and funding