Skilled and Versatile Lawyer for Nature, Environment, and Climate

Will you play an important role in developing Greenland sustainably? Skilled and versatile lawyer for Nature, Environment, and Climate,

Start date: June 1, 2026, or by further agreement.

The Department of Nature, Environment, Energy, and Research offers a meaningful job as a Legal Advisor / Special Consultant / Chief Consultant for a position in the Department of Nature and Environment.

About the position

You will be centrally positioned as the department's legal expertise in relation to the legal authority and development tasks that need to be undertaken in the department within the areas of Environment, Nature, and Climate.

• The tasks include, among other things: Legal advice in connection with political initiatives on environment, nature, and climate.
• Legal analyses – both the immediate and perhaps superficial analyses in connection with an urgent task that requires a quick and brief response, and the more comprehensive and in-depth analyses that are necessary elements in project plans for development tasks.
• Draft and revise legislation
• Cross-cutting, coordinating functions towards other departments and authorities
• General political service

Environment

The department is responsible for the overall administration and planning within the environmental area. The goal is to ensure up-to-date environmental protection, sustainable resource use, and to minimize pollution. Environmental work is carried out in close collaboration with the municipalities.

In the environmental field, the tasks include waste planning, wastewater management, environmental approvals, EIA, supervision and approval of drinking water facilities, exemptions in buffer zones, administration of the Environmental Fund, implementation of initiatives against plastic and lost gear, handling of soil contamination, as well as marine environment and environmental preparedness within 3 nautical miles.

Nature

In the area of nature, nature protection in Greenland is managed along with a number of obligations under international conventions, agreements, and collaboration forums on natural resource management and nature protection. This includes advocacy and case processing under, among others, the Biodiversity Convention, the Ramsar Convention, the Washington Convention, the Arctic Council's biodiversity working group CAFF, and the Nordic Council of Ministers' Nature Program. Furthermore, the Nature Department is responsible for approving expedition and field activities in the National Park in North and East Greenland and other remote areas of Greenland, case processing and information related to CITES (export of endangered species), conservation, as well as management of the UNESCO World Heritage site Ilulissat Icefjord, collaboration with stakeholders in the nature sector, including promoting communication and cooperation on nature research, as well as general planning, knowledge building, and development of nature management initiatives, measures, and developments within the nature sector.

Climate

The Climate Department must develop a national climate strategy over the coming years and subsequently establish a series of reduction targets for Greenland for political decision-making. At the same time, Greenland participates in international climate negotiations under the Climate Convention, and the department must ensure the protection of Greenland's interests in the international climate negotiations in cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark.

About you and your qualifications

We are looking for a legal employee who is interested in working closely at the political level within the environment, nature, and climate. It is an advantage if you have experience from a political organization, with administrative law and authority tasks – preferably in Greenland – and if you have insight into the environment, nature, or climate area.

You need to have a great deal of initiative, possess the right community spirit, and thrive on solving tasks where we do not know the outcome in advance. Professional expertise is important, as we need you as a sparring partner, and for you to be willing to share your knowledge and experience with colleagues. You should be able to immerse yourself in new tasks and help find solutions, even if we haven't tried it before. You should also be able to thrive in a daily routine where there is always one more task to be solved. This requires you to be able to plan and structure your tasks, and to be proactive and proactive in ensuring an overall prioritization of your tasks across the department's areas of responsibility.

• We expect you to have a higher legal education at the master's level (cand.jur or similar).
• Has experience from a politically governed organization or insight into it, including an understanding of political decision-making processes.
• Has an interest in and preferably experience with the areas of environment, nature, climate, and emergency preparedness.
• Is skilled at communicating complex issues clearly and distinctly in both writing and speech.
• Can work independently, be solution-oriented, and have an overview of larger projects.
• Thrives with varying tasks and is able to shift focus if needed.
• Is flexible, meticulous, and has an analytical approach to problem-solving.
• Has good communication skills in several languages: Greenlandic, Danish, and English.
• Has an understanding of Greenlandic culture, the surrounding world, and can engage in trusting and diplomatic collaborative relationships with many different external actors who may have opposing interests.

About the Department of Environment, Nature, Energy and Research

In the department, we have about 45 employees. In addition, Nukissiorfiit, the Electricity Authority, Pinngortitaleriffik, and Asiaq are subordinate entities to the department.

In the department, we undertake important tasks for society for the benefit of Greenland. Our everyday life is characterized by a good tone and the space to put a personal touch on the results.

We have many exciting development tasks, and it is important for us that you feel you can grow in the job.

The management in the department is committed to strengthening and maintaining high well-being. Our hallmark for the department is that we are in motion, and we are ambitious and take responsibility. We stand together as one department, where diversity is our strength. Therefore, you should be able to see yourself thriving in this environment and contributing to support it.

• We offer: A position with great responsibility and corresponding opportunity to make a positive difference.
• An attractive workplace with an informal tone characterized by respect and trust.
• A versatile and exciting work area with both national and international focus.
• There are already two lawyers in the department, so you will not be the only lawyer.

There will be opportunities for both permanent employment and employment in a fixed-term position.

The working hours are, as a rule, 40 hours a week.

 

The workplace is located in Nuuk. The city offers many opportunities, including a cultural center, cinema, swimming pool, fitness centers, cafes, restaurants, and various associations. The nature around Nuuk also offers both a ski slope and a golf course, as well as opportunities for kayaking, fishing, sailing, hiking, and a wide range of other recreational activities.

If an applicant already has a staff residence through employment in the Self-Government, the right to the assigned staff residence is retained.

Do you want to know more?

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting the Permanent Secretary Natuk Lund Meire, tel. +299 346476, email: natl@nanoq.gl.

 

Salary and employment conditions

Salary and employment conditions, including the right to relocation and moving expenses, in accordance with the agreement/collective agreement in effect at the time of commencement between the Government of Greenland and the relevant negotiating organization.

Housing

An unfurnished staff housing can be assigned to the position according to the applicable rules at any given time. Housing cannot be assigned to individuals who already have staff housing or another property owned by the municipality or the Government of Greenland. Rent and deposit are paid according to the applicable rules for the assigned housing. The staff housing is linked to the employment relationship and must be vacated upon termination of the employment relationship.

Rent and housing standards may vary depending on the age of the property, ownership conditions, etc. There may be a waiting period for the allocation of permanent staff housing, which is why temporary accommodation may occur, including in smaller co-housing communities or hotel apartments, for which taxation applies. It is not possible to keep larger pets, such as dogs or cats, in staff or temporary housing.

Submit your application, CV, educational and course certificates, as well as other relevant documents by clicking "Submit application."

We do not accept applications via email.