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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

This post is located in UNEP/Ecosystems Division at the Athens duty station. Under the overall guidance of the UNEP/MAP Deputy Coordinator and the direct supervision of the UNEP/MAP Governance Programme Management Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties;

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the programme of work of the Secretariat related to the effective functioning of the Compliance Committee of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols. This includes the timely preparation of pre-session, in-session and post-session documents as well as supporting the Committee on the implementation and follow up of its decisions.
•  Follow up on the timely submission of reports by the Contracting parties in accordance with article 26 of the Barcelona Convention; Provide support to Contracting in the timely submission of their biannual report on legal, administrative and other measures to implement the Convention and its protocols and the decisions of the meetings of the Contracting Parties.
• Draft the biannual regional report on the status of the legal and institutional aspects of the implementation of the Barcelona convention and its Protocols and the decisions of the Contracting Parties meeting.
• Maintain data base of legal instruments, legislation and legal and administrative measures and notifications by the Contracting Parties linked to the implementation of the Barcelona Convention, its protocols and guidelines; ensure the flow of official correspondence between Member States and UNEP/MAP on relevant legal issues.
• Undertake legal research and draft briefing notes and legal opinions and provide advice on legal developments in other related global and regional environmental conventions with a view to securing synergies in the implementation of related instruments.
• Provide support to Contracting parties to facilitate the implementation, as appropriate, of Liability and Compensation Guidelines and the respective reporting system.
• Provide any other legal support required by the Secretariat for the implementation of its programme of work in coordination with relevant head-quarter units.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation and monitoring of the programme of work and budget of UNEP/MAP on governance and legal matters.
• Carry out other related duties as may be assigned including assisting in the preparation of the main UNEP/MAP decision-making bodies.