Overview
Announcement for Consultancy (Individual Contractor)
Individual Contractor- (Policy Review)
Legal Affairs Division
Deadline Announcement Expected date Duration of Duty Station
for application number for entry on duty appointment
18 October 2026 26/CON11/LA 02 November 2026 Until 30 April 2027 Remote, travel
for 130.5 days may be
23:59 hrs CET
required
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 UNFCCC secretariat 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 consultancy is situated within the Policy Review Team of the Legal Affairs division and supports the
implementation of the secretariat's Policy Review Project. The project seeks to strengthen and modernize
the secretariat's institutional regulatory framework through the systematic review, revision, consolidation and
development of administrative instructions, continued operationalization of the delegation of authority
framework, and enhancement of the Policies Portal and Delegation of Authority Portal.
Purpose
The consultant will provide specialized legal and policy expertise to support the implementation of the Policy
Review Project. The consultant will undertake the substantive review, development, revision and
consolidation of administrative instructions and related documents, support the continued implementation
and refinement of the Delegation of Authority framework, and assist with the content management and
enhancement of the Policies Portal and Delegation of Authority Portal.
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Director of the Legal Affairs division and in close
consultation with policy owners and other relevant stakeholders across the secretariat. The work will
contribute to ensuring that the secretariat's regulatory framework remains legally sound, operationally
relevant, aligned with the secretariat's institutional linkage to the United Nations, and responsive to evolving
organizational needs.
Tasks
Under the supervision of the Director of the Legal Affairs division, or her designated representative, the
consultant will:
1. Review, revise, consolidate and develop administrative instructions and related policy instruments
identified under the Policy Review Project, with particular focus on administrative instructions
requiring substantial revision or modernization.
2. Conduct legal and policy analysis of existing administrative instructions and associated instruments
to ensure consistency with the secretariat's legal framework, organizational practice, delegations of
authority, and relevant United Nations standards and guidance.
3. Coordinate consultations with policy owners and relevant stakeholders, consolidate comments
received during review processes, and support resolution of legal and policy issues arising during
policy development and revision exercises.
4. Support the continued implementation, refinement, and operationalization of the secretariat's
delegation of authority framework, including review of delegation instruments and associated
procedures.
5. Support the maintenance, content management, and enhancement of the Policies Portal and
Delegation of Authority Portal, as needed, including quality assurance of content, identification of
functional improvements and support for implementation of updates.
6. Support the development of guidance materials, communication products, and training resources to
facilitate understanding and implementation of administrative instructions and delegation instruments
by secretariat staff.
7. Perform any other job-related activity required to meet the mandates, goals, and objectives of the
Legal Affairs division and the secretariat.
Outputs
Output Date Performance indicators
Quality, completeness, and
timeliness of legal analyses
Review and undertake legal analysis By contract end
and recommendations.
of priority administrative instructions date
Target: 100%
Drafts are legally sound,
Draft revised and/or new
operationally relevant, and
administrative instructions and By contract end
suitable for promulgation.
relevant supporting documentation, as date
needed
Target: 100%
Support the undertaking of the policy Timely completion of policy
review process in the secretariat and By contract end review milestones.
subsequent promulgation of date
administrative instructions Target: 100%
Recommend and, as appropriate, Accuracy and completeness of
undertake any required maintenance portal content; feasibility and
and/or enhancement for the Policies By contract end quality of recommendations.
Portal and Delegation of Authority date
Portal, including content updates Target: 100%
Support the development of guidance Quality and usability of
materials and stakeholder support for By contract end guidance materials.
implementation of revised policies and date
delegation instruments Target: 100%
Timeframe
The duration of the assignment is for seven (7) months, from 2 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. The total
number of working days is 150.5 days.
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 specialization in international law,
administrative law, or a related field.
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 drafting is required.
At least five years (5) in an international environment, preferably in a United Nations common system
organization or other intergovernmental organization, is desirable.
Experience in reviewing, developing, drafting, and providing advice on the implementation of policies in a
United Nations common system or other intergovernmental organization is desirable.
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.