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Job Title:   Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager   

Organisation: National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Executive Director

Job Ref: NEMA/ADV/EXT/02/2022

 

About US:

The National Environment Management Authority (hereinafter called “NEMA”) was established under the National Environment Act, Cap.153 in May 1995 (hereinafter called the “Act”). This has now been repealed by the National Environment Act No.5 of 2019 and mandated “as the principal agency in Uganda for regulating, supervising and coordinating all activities relating to the environment.

 

Job Summary:  The Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager will handle legal and corporate matters in NEMA and providing legal advice in relation to implementation of environmental law.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide legal support and advice to NEMA on issues relating to compliance and enforcement of environmental laws, in collaboration, with directorates, Departments and sections in NEMA and other institutions by;

• Keenly reviewing proposals and options related to compliance and enforcement, including proposals relating to amendment of existing procedures and mechanism on compliance and enforcement, and prepare advise notes;
• Obtaining and evaluating legal information related to compliance and enforcement from other institutions in the ENR sector and Justice Law and Order Sector;
• In charge of reviewing information from authoritative  sources  for  the  effective  operation  of  a comprehensive  compliance  and  enforcement  system  and  on  the  implementation  of  the National Environment Act and Regulations made under the Act;
• Identifying, evaluating and reporting on the relevance and effectiveness of new approaches related  to  compliance   and   enforcement,  including   related   developments  in  other environmental laws;
• Participating in various NEMA and inter-agency committees to review compliance and enforcement-related issues;
• Providing legal support for the conduct of hearings and the receipt of expert testimony during administrative review processes;
• Providing legal advice regarding the provision of due process and receipt of appeals;
• In charge of monitoring the implementation of and compliance with the National Environment Act and regulations made under the Act.

Providing legal support to the Executive Director by;

• Preparing draft provisional schedule and agenda of meetings of the NEMA Board and the Policy Committee on the Environment
• Providing legal support at meetings of the NEMA Board, the Policy Committee on the Environment and related institutional set-ups;
• Recording minutes of the NEMA Board and the Policy Committee on the Environment on behalf of the Executive Director;
• Coordinating implementation of the decisions of the NEMA Board and the Policy Committee on the Environment.

Providing legal support to legislative drafting processes by;

• Coordinating the review of environmental laws NEMA is responsible for;
• In charge of proposing and drafting amendments to or revision of existing environmental laws and advising on new environmental laws;
• Drafting of guidelines for implementation of the National Environment Act and regulations made under the Act;
• Initiating legislation in new and emerging areas of multi sectoral concerns;
• Ensuring liaison with the Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs on the final drafting of environmental legislation and other legal instruments to be gazetted;
• Providing legal guidance and advise during the harmonization of environmental laws, related laws and policies;
• Interpreting or advising on the interpretation of the National Environment Act, Regulations made under the Act and related laws.

Providing legal support to Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements, Treaties and Conventions by;

• Participating in the negotiation, drafting and implementation of Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements, Treaties and Conventions;
• Liaising with sectoral institutions and regional and international agencies on international environmental law concerns.

Advising on and undertaking litigation by;

• Representing NEMA in Courts of Law and other related fora
• Liaising with Uganda Police Force and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in enforcement of environmental law and in handling of cases regarding environmental crime;
• Reviewing and provide advice on the impact of the court decisions on NEMA.

Undertaking awareness raising and capacity building on environmental law, by;

• Carrying out workshops and sensitization seminars on environmental law for different stakeholders;
• Involvement in community sensitization workshops.

Training on and assisting in the formulation of bye laws and ordinances for local governments;

• Advising on, negotiating and drafting contracts, other agreements and MOUs for NEMA;

General advisory and managerial roles, including;

• Preparing legal opinions and briefs regarding the interpretation and implementation of the National Environment Act and regulations made under the Act, and administrative rules and regulations
• Supervising legal students/interns preparing papers on substantive legal issues;
• Presenting conference papers on environmental law issues;
• Collaborating with directorates, departments and sections in NEMA and in other institutions, private sector, civil society and international agencies or partners to exchange experiences in legal issues;
• Providing support for the general management and administration of the Legal Affairs including providing advice on priorities and work plans for Legal Affairs;
• Coordinating legal-related projects.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate for the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Legal and Corporate Affairs Manager job placement must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized University;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• A Master’s Degree in Law
• Be enrolled as an advocate of the High Court of Uganda.
• Possess a valid practicing certificate, except if working in a government institution
• At least 08 (eight) years post qualification relevant professional working experience, 04 (four) of which should be at Senior Officer level.
• Knowledge of relevant laws that govern environment;
• Management and supervisory skills

Communication:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• The capacity to draft clear concise high quality reports or documents relating to areas of professional expertise

Professionalism:

• Familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate projects.
• The capacity to demonstrate success in analyzing complex professional issues and developing
• Well-reasoned, innovative solutions to associated challenges.
• Ability to provide sound technical advice to management.
• Good morals and high level of integrity
• High level of confidentiality

Teamwork:

• Coordinating/ networking and negotiation skills
• Ability to establish good interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relations in a diverse cultural institution.
• Ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others through the demonstration of leadership

Commitment to Continuous Learning:

• Willingness to keep abreast of and promote new developments in the legal field.

Technological Awareness:

• Good conceptual understanding of technology in the workplace and ability to use relevant software and other applications and equipment relevant to the post.

 

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should download the application form, Click Here, fill the form, attaching requisite academic transcripts and certificates in one pdf file named “Position-Name of Applicant”.

 

The one pdf file should be submitted to recruitment@nema.go.ug

 

NB: Applicants who will not have heard from us by 7th April 2022 should consider their applications unsuccessful.

 

Deadline: 7^th February 2022 by 5:00pm

 

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