Environmental Law Specialist

Result of Service

The consultancy will support the development of national legislation on air quality standards for stationary sources and vehicle emission standards, integrating international best practices and international and regional obligations of the Government of Guatemala as appropriate.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: 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 UNEP Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). To fulfil its mandate, the work of the Law Division focuses on: leading the international community in the progressive developmental of environmental law; supporting States in the development and implementation of legal, institutional and policy measures that address emerging and important environmental challenges; facilitating cooperation and coordination among MEAs and between UNEP and those agreements; working with MEA Secretariats to support Parties to the respective MEAs in implementing their treaty obligations; and facilitating policy dialogue among States on issues relating to international environmental law and governance. Its strategic direction in this respect comes from the Fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V) adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) under Resolution 4/20 in March 2019. Montevideo Programme V is an intergovernmental programme designed to promote the development and implementation of environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacity in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. UNEA called on member States, at its first session, to take action across sectors to reduce all forms of air pollution (UNEA Resolution 1/7, Strengthening the role of the United Nations Environment Programme on promoting air quality). This call was reiterated at UNEA 3, which, inter alia, urged member States to set ambitious ambient air quality standards taking into account the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) (UNEA Resolution 3/4, Environment and health.). In June 2021, National Focal Points for the Montevideo Programme V agreed to focus their work on “legal responses to address the air pollution crisis”. This involves supporting countries to strengthen, develop or implement appropriate legal instruments and frameworks, and build related capacity, to prevent, reduce and control environmental pollution that could affect the environment and human health. In this context, UNEP’s Law Division developed a First Global Assessment of Air Pollution Legislation in 2021, and a Guide on Ambient Air Quality in 2023. These publications aim to promote the effective development and implementation of laws and regulations to address air pollution. The air quality regulatory framework in Guatemala is composed by general laws and other instruments that protect the environment and human health. The Government of Guatemala, under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), has initiated the process to update the national air quality legislation in the country, as well as related sectoral legislation. This includes (i) updating the national legislation on air quality standards, taking into consideration the model air quality legislation developed within the Central American Integration System (SICA), which in turn was developed taking into account the UNEP Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation; (ii) developing a regulation on stationary sources, and (iii) developing a regulation on vehicle emissions standards. The Ministry requested UNEP to provide international expertise in the development and review of these regulations. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Head of the Montevideo and Delivery Unit (MDCU) of the Law Division, the consultant will: 1. Collaborate in the development of updated legislation on national air quality standards, taking into consideration the UNEP Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation and the model legislation on air quality for Central America, as well as identified international priorities and good practices. 2. Collaborate in the development of national regulations on stationary sources and vehicle emission standards, taking into account national circumstances and international and regional best practices. 3. Help the organization of national stakeholder consultations, organized by the Ministry of Environment of Guatemala and in collaboration with other sectoral ministries, by providing input on the agenda, stakeholders list, and other materials (e.g., presentations), as well as by facilitating the collection of feedback and data and drafting of a final report. 4. Integrate feedback received from the consultation process into revised version of the legislation, and contribute to the final drafts. 5. Design a proposal to strengthen legal capacities of government officials at national and subnational levels for the timely implementation of the air quality regulations. The proposal should include an identification of key institutions and/or offices recommended for capacity building initiatives. 6. Participate in regular meetings with the Ministry of Environment of Guatemala on project activities and progress and contribute as required. 7. Communicate periodically with UNEP representatives, such as MCDU, UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office, through organizing and conducting team meetings to update on progress and milestones. Each payment will be disbursed upon timely delivery of products according to schedule and approval by the Head of the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit (MCDU) of the Law Division or designated representative.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s Degree in law, environmental law, international environmental law or related fields is required. A minimum of five (5) years of progressive working experience in international law, environmental law, environmental policy, or a related field is required. Experience in working on environmental issues at the international and regional level, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean region, is required. Background in legislative drafting, development of legal and institutional frameworks, and legal analysis related to environmental management law, especially air quality law, is an asset. Experience on the environmental legal and institutional framework in Guatemala is an asset. Experience on air pollution issues is an advantage.

Languages

Fluency in oral and written Spanish and working knowledge of English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.