National Consultant Legal and Institutional Analysis and Environmental Governance Mining

Organizational context:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, promoting sustainable development and serving as an advocate for the environment. Its Industry and Economy Division encourages sustainable practices. UNEP, through the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), supports Mongolia's mining and heavy industry sectors, which are vital for national growth but face increasing environmental expectations.

Job purpose:

This consultancy aims to provide critical legal and analytical support to Mongolia's government-led legislative reform processes concerning mining, mineral processing, and environmental governance. The role will deliver a clear legal baseline, reform recommendations, and advisory inputs to align the existing legislative framework with environmental standards and green transition objectives. It will also contribute to developing practical options for green mining eligibility and screening criteria by assessing legal feasibility, identifying gaps, and proposing necessary regulatory adjustments within Mongolia's framework.

The ultimate goal is to strengthen the legal and institutional foundations for a more responsible and competitive mining sector, ensuring outputs are usable and aligned with national priorities and UNEP's mandate.

Responsibilities:
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive review of existing legislation and policy frameworks related to mining and mineral processing, focusing on environmental and social safeguards, rehabilitation, water management, biodiversity, and closure planning. A key duty involves preparing a baseline legal and institutional gap analysis to identify inconsistencies and reform needs for investment readiness in critical energy transition minerals governance. The role requires developing recommendations for legislative reform, specifically for the Law on Heavy Industry and amendments to the Minerals Law, emphasizing environmental governance and green transition.

The consultant will support government drafting processes with advisory and analytical inputs, ensuring alignment with national priorities. Additionally, the consultant will prepare a legal feasibility assessment for green mining eligibility and screening criteria, identifying enabling provisions and necessary regulatory adjustments. Facilitating a consultative workshop to present findings and gather stakeholder feedback is also a core responsibility.

Education:

An advanced university degree in law, environmental law, natural resources law, public law, or a related field is required. Excellent written and spoken Mongolian and English are also mandatory for this role.

Work experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in legal analysis, legislative review, or regulatory reform, preferably within Mongolia or similar jurisdictions, is required. Demonstrated knowledge of Mongolia's legislative and institutional framework, particularly in mining, heavy industry, and environmental governance, is essential. Experience supporting government legal assessments and providing reform recommendations is also necessary.

Skills:

Legal analysis, legislative review, regulatory reform, environmental governance, knowledge of Mongolia's legal framework (mining, heavy industry), government advisory, analytical report writing, consultation, synthesis of technical inputs, proficiency in Mongolian and English.

Required languages:

Desired languages: