Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

The Centre is looking for an attorney (possibly two) to join our Mining programme in 2016. This position is for an admitted attorney with 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.

Location

Based in 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.
• Post-qualification experience in High Court litigation, particularly Constitutional and administrative law (experience in environmental litigation will be an advantage). For one of these positions, we would like at least 3 years post-qualification experience, but will consider less experience for the other position.
• A sound knowledge of mining law and environmental laws applicable to prospecting and mining.
• A sound understanding of legal and procedural requirements for environmental decision-making and legal challenges.
• 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, and a passion for social and environmental justice.

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, writing and filing pleadings, motions, briefs, and other court documents.
• Providing expert input into draft environmental policies and legislation.
• Engaging with regulators, companies and other decision-makers 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 salary offered will be dependent on the level of experience of the successful candidate, but will be competitive in the public interest law sector.