Environmental Lawyer – Remote Consultancy (3 months)

About the role

UNEP is seeking an experienced Environmental Lawyer to provide consultancy support for the Nature Frameworks Support Unit. The consultant will work remotely for three months to develop legal frameworks that advance Sierra Leone’s implementation of the Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols and the national biodiversity strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare an Inception Report outlining methodology, work plan and stakeholder mapping.
• Conduct a comprehensive legal and institutional review of existing environmental and biodiversity legislation.
• Draft the first version of Access and Benefit‑Sharing (ABS) regulations, including schedules and forms.
• Develop operational guidelines covering permit systems and PIC/MAT procedures.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and produce a consultation report.
• Incorporate feedback to produce a revised draft of the ABS regulations.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in Law with specialization in environmental or natural resource law.
• Proven experience with international environmental agreements such as the Nagoya Protocol, Cartagena Protocol and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to draft regulations and guidelines for biodiversity and ABS frameworks.
• Strong analytical and report‑writing skills.

Required skills

• Legal analysis
• Regulatory drafting
• Stakeholder mapping
• Report writing
• Knowledge of Nagoya Protocol
• Knowledge of Cartagena Protocol
• Knowledge of Convention on Biological Diversity

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence national biodiversity policy in Sierra Leone.
• Collaboration with a leading UN environmental authority.
• Remote work flexibility.