Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

Photo: ODAC, 2013

In recent years, civil society organisations and law clinics working in the social and environmental justice sectors have seen a rise in protest action in communities affected by injustice and rights violations. Too often, the response has been a clampdown on protest action, despite section 17 of the the Constitution guaranteeing the right to protest.

Our partner organisation the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), a human rights centre in the Wits Law School which undertakes research, advocacy and strategic litigation, is leading the establishment of a collaborative project on the Right to Protest, known as R2P.

CALS is looking for two dynamic people to join the R2P team.  These are fixed-term, 18 month appointments with the intention of a longer-term appointment, funding dependent.  The Right to Protest team will be housed at, and employed by, CALS but will be accountable to a broader Steering Committee of civil society organisations.  CALS is  ideally looking for people who could start as soon as possible.

POSITION 1: RIGHT2PROTEST ATTORNEY

Qualifications, skills and experience required: 

• An LLB or equivalent qualification
• Admission as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa, preferably with experience in protest and/or criminal litigation
• Good oral and written communication skills in English (fluency in other South African languages will be an advantage)
• Ability to think about the law as an instrument of social justice to advance human rights and reduce poverty
• Ability to undertake research and produce written reports for publication
• Initiative (as this position is the first of its kind)

Key responsibilities:

• provide assistance to activists and communities attempting to exercise their right to protest, including bail applications, representation at meetings held in terms of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, legal representation in associated criminal/civil proceedings and telephonic advice;
• organise and facilitate workshops in order to build knowledge and capacity on protest issues;
• develop material for use by communities and activists;
• undertake research in support of advocacy and litigation activities;
• draft an annual State of Protest Report analysing trends in protest activity;
• draft submissions on draft legislation and policies relevant to protest;
• engage with the media, including through press statements, interviews and writing opinion editorials; and
• build relationships with colleague organisations working on protest issues.

POSITION 2: RIGHT2PROTEST CO-ORDINATOR

Qualifications, skills and experience required: 

• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Experience working in the civil society sector
• Good oral and written communication skills in English (fluency in other South African languages will be an advantage)
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Ability to think about the law as an instrument of social justice to advance human rights and reduce poverty
• Ability to undertake research and produce written reports for publication
• Initiative (as this position is the first of its kind)

Key responsibilities:

• co-ordinate the activities of the various civil society organisations participating in the Right2Protest project;
• set up and operate a telephonic protest advice hotline;
• manage the R2P website;
• develop and implement a communications strategy;
• undertake research in support of advocacy and litigation activities;
• organise and facilitate workshops in order to build knowledge and capacity on protest issues;
• develop material for use by communities and activists;
• assist in drafting an annual State of Protest Report analysing trends in protest activity; and
• engage with the media, including through press statements, interviews and writing opinion editorials; and
• build relationships with colleague organisations working on protest issues.

REMUNERATION:

Remuneration is commensurate with experience. CALS is a grant-funded institution and the level of remuneration is dependent on available funding.

TO APPLY:

Please submit:

1. A cover letter indicating which of the two positions you are interested in, why you want this job as well as the names and contact details of three referees;
2. A detailed CV;
3. An official academic transcript; and
4. A writing sample of max 10 pages

using Wits’ online portal at https://www.wits.ac.za/about-wits/vacancies/.  Should you experience difficulties with the online application, please contact Ms Zelda Stroud, Human Resources Officer, at [email protected] .

Please note that CALS is looking for candidates who wish to pursue a career in social justice in particular rather than just securing a job. They particularly welcome applications from individuals who will contribute to the diversity and transformation of CALS, and the civil society sector more broadly.  Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  The University reserves the right not to appoint if suitable candidates are not found.

CLOSING DATE: 19 August 2016