Result of Service

The consultancy will produce a “Draft National Law on Air Quality Minimum Standards”, based on the findings of the national assessment and the input received during the stakeholder consultation process.

Work Location

Home Based – Argentina

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global 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 consultancy will support the drafting of a comprehensive National Law on Air Quality Minimum Standards to establish the minimum environmental standards necessary to protect and monitor the atmosphere. This law aims to establish a robust national framework that includes technical, administrative, and legal components, thereby enabling provinces to develop subnational laws that address their specific quality concerns. The provinces hold the primary authority for environmental protection within their respective territories and certain provinces and/or municipalities in Argentina have already established regulations related to air pollution. Under the supervision of the Head of the Montevideo and Delivery Unit (MDCU) of the Law Division, the consultant will: (i) Develop a survey to be disseminated across Argentinian’s provinces to assess the current state of the subnational legislation and the possibilities of advancing subnational legislation focused on air quality. (ii) Carry out a baseline mapping and analysis of the policy, legislative, and institutional framework governing air quality, the identification of minimum standards legislation at the national and regional level, as well as other related policies, incorporating the information received through the survey. This will include undertaking a legal analysis of the legislation regulating the transportation sector at both national and subnational level, with a focus on their implications for air quality management. (iii) Based on the analyses under points (1) and (2) above, and taking into consideration identified priorities and good practices: produce a first draft of a “National Law on Air Quality Minimum Standards”; organize, facilitate and undertake a national stakeholder consultation, including development of the workshop agenda, workshop moderation strategies, list of potential participants etc. The consultations should facilitate a discussion on the draft National Law. (iv) Prepare a final report of the consultation workshop, including key findings, outcomes and next steps for the review of the draft National Law on Air Quality Minimum Standards. (v) Finalize the Draft National Law on Air Quality Minimum Standards and integrate, where appropriate, feedback from the consultations. (vi) Design a proposal to strengthen legal capacities of government officials at national and subnational levels for the timely implementation of the air quality legislation. The proposal should include an identification of key institutions and/or offices recommended for capacity building initiatives. (vii) Communicate periodically with UNEP representatives, such as MCDU, UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and UNEP Sub regional Office for the South Cone, including through organizing and conducting team meetings to update on progress and milestones. Each payment will be disbursed upon timely delivery of each Product, duly approved by the Head of the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit (MCDU) of the Law Division or his designated representative(s), including the UNEP Sub regional Office for the Southern Cone located in Montevideo, Uruguay, and the UNEP Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, located in Panama City.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s Degree in law, environmental law, international environmental law, or related fields is required, preferably with a focus on air quality and/or sustainable development. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive working experience in international law, environmental law, environmental policy, or a related field is required. Background in legal drafting, development of legal and institutional frameworks, and legal analysis related to environmental management law is an asset. Experience in working on environmental issues in Latin America, particularly in Argentina. Background in legal drafting, development of legal and institutional frameworks, and legal analysis related to environmental management law is an asset. Experience in working on environmental issues in Latin America, particularly in Argentina. Excellent research and drafting skills in the preparation of technical and analysis documents. Excellent organization and consultation management. Direct working experience in environmental law or environmental policy Demonstrated capacity to work in a consultative manner and good networking skills.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written Spanish is required. Fluency in English is an asset.

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.