Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

UPDATE: This position has not been filled. We may re-advertise this position in future.

Based in Cape Town, this position is for an admitted attorney from a historically disadvantaged group with some litigation experience, but with a particular interest in legal advocacy and non-litigious engagement to support the Centre’s overall goals of achieving greater accountability, transparency and environmental compliance.

Location

Based in Cape Town

Qualifications, skills and experience

• An LLB or equivalent qualification. We prefer candidates with an LLM, preferably in environmental or human rights law, but it is not a requirement for this position
• Admission as attorney of the High Court of South Africa, and at least 2 years’ post-qualification experience in High Court litigation, particularly Constitutional and administrative law
• A sound understanding of procedural and substantive requirements for administrative decision-making and legal challenges, as well as law reform processes
• Knowledge of environmental laws will be an advantage
• Excellent legal research skills and writing skills with a perfectionist eye for detail
• Excellent public speaking skills, as well as skills of persuasion, and emotional intelligence
• A sensitivity to social issues and needs of communities affected by environmental injustice
• 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

• Coordinating and providing support for the CER’s non-litigious advocacy and external engagement, including engagement with regulators, Portfolio Committees and industry representatives
• Working with and supporting the Executive Director and Heads of Programmes in implementing advocacy initiatives in the CER’s Strategic Plan, including strategic communications
• Conducting legal research and coordinating with external experts
• Providing expert input into draft policies and legislation
• 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).