Overview
Announcement for Consultancy
Legal Officer
Legal Affairs Division
Deadline Announcement Expected date Duration of Duty Station
for application number for entry on duty appointment
21 June 2026 26/CON05/LA As soon as Until 31 December Remote, travel
possible 2026 for 130 days may be
23:59 hrs CET
required
Publication date: 05 June 2026
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political
process to address Climate Change. The Convention secretariat supports the Convention and its Kyoto
Protocol by a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the Parties.
The Legal Affairs Division of the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany, provides legal and procedural advice and services to support (1) the
intergovernmental negotiation process and the implementation of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and
the Paris Agreement, and (2) the administration and operations of the UNFCCC secretariat. The division has
two subdivisions, namely the Intergovernmental and Programme Support subdivision and Institutional and
General Legal Services subdivision.
The Intergovernmental and Programme Support Sub-division of the Legal Affairs Division provides legal
support to governing, subsidiary and constituted bodies with respect to the intergovernmental negotiations
and the implementation of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
Purpose
The consultant will provide comprehensive legal and substantive support to the Legal Affairs Division in
relation to the preparation, annotation, review and standardization of draft decisions under the Convention,
the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. This includes the preparation of annotated versions of decision
text, ensuring legal coherence and consistency, development of standardized building blocks for internal use,
coordination of inputs from substantive divisions, and the mapping and improvement of workflows related to
decision text preparation and clearance.
The consultant will also provide real‑time drafting and legal support during the 65th session of the Subsidiary
Bodies (SB 65) and the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP 31) in Türkiye and work under the supervision
of the Director of the Legal Affairs Division and in close consultation with substantive divisions across the
secretariat.
Tasks
Under the supervision of the Director of the Legal Affairs Division, or her designated representative, the
consultant will:
1. Map and assess existing workflows related to decision text preparation and clearance, identify
bottlenecks and areas for improvement, and propose practical recommendations to enhance
efficiency and internal coordination.
2. Review and, as needed, enhance and/or newly develop standard “building blocks” for decision text,
including commonly used formulations and drafting templates, and support the responsible legal
officers in promoting its use to enhance internal coherence and facilitate streamlined drafting
processes.
3. Prepare annotated versions of draft decisions, clearly indicating the status and stage of the decision
text within the negotiation process, and maintain updated versions throughout the negotiation cycle.
This includes doing a first review of draft decision texts for legal coherence, accuracy and
consistency, supporting the standardization of decision formats in line with UNFCCC drafting
practice, and providing real‑time drafting and legal support during the 65th session of the Subsidiary
Bodies (SB 65) and the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP 31). Depending on the number of draft
texts for SB 65 and COP 31, the review will need to focus on prioritized draft texts, only.
4. Support the responsible legal officers in coordinating with substantive divisions, circulate annotated
drafts of decision text for inputs, consolidate comments, and ensure timely and accurate integration
of feedback into updated draft decision texts.
5. Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of LA and the
mandate of the secretariat.
Outputs
Output Date Performance indicators
Workflow mapping and By 15 August Clarity and quality of
recommendation report proposing 2026 workflow analysis; feasibility
improvements to the processes for and relevance of
decision text preparation and recommendations.
clearance Target: 100 per cent
Prepare a compilation of existent By 15 Completeness of collected
standard building blocks for draft September 2026 building blocks.
decision text Target: 100 per cent
Annotated and legally reviewed draft By 15 October Accuracy, timeliness, and
decision text, including consolidation 2026 quality of annotated and
of inputs from substantive divisions revised drafts.
Target: 100 per cent
On‑site drafting and legal support 2nd and 3rd week Real-time, accurate legal and
during SB 65 and COP 31 of November drafting support during the
2026 session.
Target: 100 per cent
Develop a new set of standard By 15 December Completeness and internal
building blocks for draft decision text (and final consistency of building
version by end blocks.
of contract) Target: 100 per cent
Timeframe
The duration of the assignment is for 6 months, starting from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026. The total
working days are 130 days.
Duty station
The consultant will work remotely. Travel may be required for meetings as requested by the Legal Affairs
Division.
Requirements
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, with a specialization in international law.
A first level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be
accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
A minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal
analysis, research and writing. Experience in intergovernmental or institutional law advising leadership and
or governing bodies. Experience with decision drafting in international organizations is highly desirable.
Familiarity with the UNFCCC process, including drafting or reviewing negotiated text under the Convention,
Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, is an asset.
Language requirements:
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an
asset.
How to apply
Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, should use the on-line
application system available at http://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/recruitment
Please note
1. UNFCCC is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates,
irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities to
apply.
2. We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates under serious consideration and
contacted for an interview will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.
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