Legal Assistant (Climate/Environment)

UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Together with national, regional and local authorities, civil societies, private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance. UNDP is in line with 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve national strategic capacity development.

The purpose of the Environmental Damage Assessment project is to enable the State Environmental Inspectorate to effectively fulfil its responsibilities in calculating the damage, losses, and harm caused to the environment and state natural resources within its jurisdiction, as a result of accidents, emergencies, military aggression, terrorism, or other criminal acts, particularly since the onset of martial law.

The project involves the establishment and operationalization of the Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment to enhance coordination and analysis of data on environmental damage, and support the development of effective regulatory frameworks. The Centre serves as a platform for expert collaboration and provides legal, technical, and organizational support to improve the national system for assessing environmental damage caused by military aggression and other emergencies. It facilitates the work of specialized expert groups focused on environmental monitoring, digital tools, legal reforms, gender mainstreaming, and forecasting of long-term environmental risks. Through the Centre’s activities, the project aims to strengthen institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking, and support the integration of best international practices in environmental damage assessment and recovery efforts.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Legal Assistant will be responsible for advising the project "Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment" in legal assistance related to environmental damage. The Legal Assistant will also provide overall support to the activities of the Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment, including assistance with legal, administrative, and organizational matters to ensure the Centre’s effective functioning. The Legal Assistant will work in close cooperation with the project team and relevant stakeholders to contribute to the structured implementation of the Centre’s mandate and to facilitate coordination among partners.

The Legal Assistant will be responsible for conducting the following activities:

- Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Legal Assistant will be responsible for providing legal support to the project and supporting the overall functioning and activities of the Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment, including support to its expert working groups on environmental monitoring, digital tools, legislation, environmental control, gender mainstreaming in environmental policy, and risk forecasting related to environmental damage.
- Support the meetings of the Coordination Centre and the working groups, including preparation of draft documents, decisions, and other relevant materials.
- Perform general administrative and organizational tasks related to the project.
- Analyze the existing international experience and recommend best practices for the state authorities in environmental damage assessment.
- S/he will ensure provision of quality and timely services and processes for the Project.
- Perform various legal aid activities for the State Environmental Inspectorate and the Project Manager.
- Provide legal advice and guidance in areas covered by the expert working groups, including environmental damage assessment, environmental protection, environmental monitoring, digital tools, legislation, risk forecasting, and gender mainstreaming in environmental policy, as defined by the Project Manager.
- Assist in the organising the meetings, conferences, trainings for Project stakeholders.
- Participate in the meeting, conferences, trainings if required by the Project Manager.
- Prepare analytical papers if requested.
- Ensure that all project’s needs are met through the timely provision of legal services support under the supervision of Project Manager.
- Perform other duties as may be required by UNDP management.

The Legal Assistant will report to the Project Manager of the project “Mitigating the risks of long-term environmental disasters in Ukraine through the establishment of a Coordination Centre on Environmental Damage Assessment”. The Legal Assistant will provide written monthly reports on the progress of activities and the key challenges and opportunities, and deliverables reports as required.