Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

Based in Johannesburg or Cape Town, this position is for an admitted attorney with several years of litigation experience with a passion for environmental rights and justice, with a special focus on the impacts of mining on water, air quality, and the health and well-being of mining-affected communities.

Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) strives to reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural and gender diversity within its staff complement. All suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Location

Based in Johannesburg or Cape Town

Qualifications, skills and experience

• An LLB or equivalent qualification. We prefer candidates with an LLM, preferably in environmental or mining law, but it is not a requirement for this position
• Admission as attorney of the High Court of South Africa
• At least 3 years’ post-qualification experience in High Court litigation, particularly Constitutional and administrative law (experience in environmental litigation will be an advantage)
• A sound knowledge of mining law and environmental laws applicable to prospecting and mining, and excellent legal research skills
• A sound understanding of legal and procedural requirements for environmental decision-making and legal challenges
• Excellent writing skills with a perfectionist eye for detail
• A sensitivity to social issues and needs of mining-affected communities
• Excellent networking skills, and strong capabilities in building support amongst a wide range of stakeholders
• A commitment to high quality client service
• A passion for social and environmental justice
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion and transformation

Key responsibilities

• Providing hands-on expert legal advice, support and representation to the Centre’s clients, including communities and civil society organisations, on matters related to mining and the environment
• Instituting appeals and court proceedings on behalf of the Centre’s clients, including researching, drafting and filing pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court documents
• Providing expert input into draft environmental and mining policies and legislation
• Engaging with regulators and other decision-makers as well as industry to support the Centre’s goals of achieving greater accountability, transparency and environmental compliance in mining
• Training and overseeing the work of candidate attorneys at the Centre
• Recording and sharing learning for systemic change

Salary

The Centre for Environmental Rights benchmarks its salaries for the public interest law sector. The salary offered will be dependent on the qualifications, skills and level of experience of the successful candidate, but will fall within the range R450 000-R550 000 per annum (total cost to company).