Legal Expert (Remote)

Mission and objectives

UNESCO’s mission—shaped in the aftermath of World War II—is to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights by fostering international collaboration and dialogue. The Organisation works across five programme areas: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication/information. UNESCO supports literacy and skills, protects independent media, preserves cultural and natural heritage, promotes cultural diversity, and builds inclusive knowledge societies, including through global initiatives such as Education for All.

Context

Following the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On the Mental Health Care System,” related sectoral legislation—particularly in education—must be aligned with the new legal framework. This assignment requires strong legislative-drafting expertise and a thorough understanding of the procedures of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The Legal Expert (National UN Volunteer Specialist) will support UNESCO and national counterparts to review, draft and shepherd required amendments, in close coordination with the Ministry of Education and Science (MESU) and other stakeholders.

Duty station & modality: Kyiv, Ukraine (remote). Duration: 3 months (with possibility of extension). Expected start: 10 November 2025.

Task description

• Analyse the Law of Ukraine “On the Mental Health Care System” and assess its implications for the education sector.
• Identify and scope required changes to:

Law of Ukraine “On Education”;

Law of Ukraine “On General Secondary Education”;

Other relevant laws and subordinate normative-legal acts.

• Prepare a comparative table mapping current provisions to proposed changes across all affected acts.
• Draft proposed formulations for amendments to legislation and normative-legal acts (with explanatory notes, as needed).
• Provide expert support to advance draft acts in line with the procedures of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada.
• Coordinate with the Higher Education Directorate of MESU on:

Classifiers of professions;

Codes of types of economic activity (KVED);

Professional standards and higher education standards.

• Participate in working groups, consultations and inter-agency meetings; prepare briefs, inputs and talking points.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Law, Educational Law, Education or Policy Development (required).
• Experience: Minimum 3 years’ experience in legislative drafting or legal analysis, including preparation of legislative amendments and/or analysis/drafting of normative-legal acts (required). Experience working within, or closely with, central executive authorities or the Verkhovna Rada; strong command of Government and Parliamentary procedures (required).
• Sectoral advantage (preferred): Experience in education, healthcare and/or social protection; familiarity with Ukraine’s mental-health system reform; inter-agency coordination and working groups; preparation of legal opinions and explanatory notes.
• Languages: Ukrainian—fluent (required). English—working knowledge (desirable).

Living conditions and remarks

This is a full-time contract.

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Specialist

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1587 (equivalent in UAH)

• USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment.

• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage.

• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. I

• Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment.

• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, 10 working days of per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment

• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle.

• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year.