Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

The Centre for Environmental Rights is currently recruiting for a number of new positions on our staff.

• We are looking for two attorneys to join our programmes. Based in Johannesburg or Cape Town, these positions are for admitted attorneys with at least 3 years’ litigation experience, and who have a passion for environmental rights and justice. The successful candidates will have a particular interest in using the law on behalf of affected communities and civil society organisations to ensure their protection from polluting industrial activities, and to ensure their equal and long-term access to natural resources like clean air, soil and water. Click here for full details of the attorney positions, and how to apply. The closing date for applications is 25 July 2016. (Note: We advertised similar positions at the end of 2017, but did not fill them at the time. Candidates who applied for those positions are encouraged to re-apply.)
• We are also looking for a technical expert in air quality. The position is on a part-time basis, which can be arranged in a flexible manner (such as a half-day or 2.5 days per week). The position is for a technical expert with suitable qualifications and experience related to air quality (such as experience in air quality assessments, air quality modelling, and air quality management planning) and a passion for environmental justice. Click here for full details of this technical expert position, and how to apply. The closing date for applications is 9 July 2018.
• We are also accepting applications for candidate attorneys for 2019, commencing articles on 1 February 2019. We are looking for bright law graduates from historically disadvantaged groups who have a special interest in and passion for the environment and environmental justice, and using the law to realise environmental rights. Click here for details on how to apply, and what it is like to do articles at the Centre. The closing date for applications is 16 July 2018.

The Centre for Environmental Rights is a non-profit organisation and law clinic of environmental rights lawyers that helps communities defend their right to a healthy environment. We do this by advocating and litigating for transparency, accountability, and compliance with environmental laws.

As South Africa’s largest public interest environmental law organisation, we use our expertise and commitment to fight for environmental justice and advance the right to a healthy environment for all. We take on the big environmental battles: cases in which we can empower local communities, have an enduring impact, set powerful precedents for other cases, and help improve policy and practice across the country.

Winning the legal case is only part of the battle. CER’s litigation work is strengthened by local empowerment, dedicated policy and advocacy work, and strategic communications. In all of our work, we work closely with partners in affected communities, with other civil society organisations in the environmental and social justice sector, and with other public interest law organisations.

We work across the following core themes: biodiversity, mining, water, pollution and climate change, and corporate accountability. We have our main office in Observatory, Cape Town, with a smaller office in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

At CER, we value our staff and regard their well-being as a priority. We are committed to a work environment that is inclusive and empathetic, and in which diversity is celebrated and supported.