Junior Environmental Legal Officer - IUCN ,Fiji

Closing date:

03 August 2012

BACKGROUND

The Environmental Law Programme of IUCN is a developing programme that is seeking to establish a comprehensive set of environmental law related activities in the Pacific. The aim of the programme is to promote integrated approach to legislation and governance for the protection of the environment, natural resources and biodiversity in all countries in the Pacific. IUCN is keen to mentor and develop in a law graduate from the region, skills and knowledge in environmental and natural resources management law, in the interests of building capacity at regional and national levels for the development of legal frameworks to value and conserve nature, for the effective and equitable governance of nature’s use and for nature based solution to global challenges.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scope of responsibilities
1. Provide quality legal and other support to the Environmental Law Coordinator and the Senior Environmental Legal Officer as directed, as part of the Environmental Law Programme of the IUCN Oceania Regional Office (IUCN ORO), and in relation to internal IUCN ORO business matters.


Specific activities / responsibilities

Environmental and Natural Resource Law
• Research and analyze national legislation, and regional and international agreements, case law and policy as required to assist the Senior Environmental Legal Officer and the Environmental Law Coordinator.
• Draft legislative reviews for projects and otherwise as required.
• Maintain an overview of relevant policy and legislation relevant to protected areas, environmental, ecosystem and natural resource management in Pacific Island countries.
• Maintain an overview of the various multilateral environmental agreements to which countries in the region are parties.
• Assist with the development and delivery of:
o training modules for capacity building at national and regional levels,
o workshops to raise awareness of environmental and natural resource laws
o materials summarising relevant environmental laws and policy
• Work with regional and international environmental lawyers to assist the establishment and maintenance of a network of regional environmental lawyers.
• In conjunction with the Environmental Law Coordinator, establish and maintain relationships with partners and key government agencies in the region.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other agencies, organizations and donors to increase the development and implementation of environmental laws.
• Collaborate with IUCN Oceania staff to identify legal issues and options that may assist the Office to meet and deliver its regional program objectives.

Communication
• Draft project and activity reports for the Oceania Regional Office communication activities;
• Assist with the development of a communications strategy for the Environmental Law Programme.

Ensuring quality of contracts
• As required, review and provide inputs into the development of draft contracts and agreements for IUCN Oceania Regional Office

Other duties
• Represent IUCN at national forums, as directed.
• Provide some administrative systems support to the Environmental Law Coordinator and the Senior Environmental Legal officer, as directed
• Carry out other duties as required by the Environmental Law Coordinator from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS

• Essential qualifications and experience:
• An undergraduate degree in law;

• • A post-degree practical legal training qualification or equivalent;

• • 1-2 years post-admission experience as a lawyer, legal officer or legal policy officer in a Pacific Island country OR a postgraduate qualification in environmental law and/or policy or international environmental law

• • An interest in and knowledge of environmental and natural resource laws in one or more Pacific Island countries

• • Excellent oral and written English language skills

• • The ability to carry out high quality legal research

• • The ability to work without supervision

• • The ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines

• • High standards of personal and professional integrity

• • A high level of computer literacy.

• Desirable qualifications and experience:
• Good communication and public presentation skills, including a demonstrated ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences and cultures

• • Knowledge of international law and multilateral environmental agreements

• • The ability to converse in one or more of the languages of Pacific Island Countries

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/