Who is Natural Justice?

Natural Justice is an organisation rooted in the struggles of communities in Africa. As a team of pioneering lawyers and legal experts, we specialize in human rights and environmental law in pursuit of social and environmental justice.

Natural Justice strives to enhance the collective rights of people and protect the sacred relationships that indigenous peoples and local communities have with nature. Our work is informed by the values, knowledge and self-determination of the communities whom we stand in solidarity with.

Through legal empowerment, research, policy influencing and litigation, and as part of coalitions and campaigns, we support communities to know the law, use the law and shape the law.

To learn more about the work of Natural Justice please refer to www.naturaljustice.org

Namibia

Natural Justice has been supporting indigenous communities in Namibia seeking environmental justice and upholding human rights. Through legal empowerment, legal support and safeguarding and documenting traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, Natural Justice supports seeking sustainable solutions that align with community values.

What are we looking for?

There has been an increasing demand to support communities in Southern Africa with legal empowerment and legal support to affirm and defend their human and environmental rights. In response, Natural Justice employs Community Environmental Legal Officers (CELOs), a network of paralegals who provide direct support to communities.

This is a full-time CELO position for one year with possible extension dependent on available funding. The candidate will work closely with indigenous communities in Namibia, supporting communities on environmental issues, participating in public participation processes, and help them find remedies through government administrative and regulatory institutions. The CELO will work with community members to collect and submit evidence of environmental impacts, facilitate discussions with relevant government institutions and liaise and collaborate with local civil society groups.

We are looking for a young professional that is passionate about environmental justice, supporting communities and wanting to make a change towards achieving a healthy planet.

The successful candidate will join a team of Community Environmental Legal Officers, across Southern Africa and will be based in Namibia. The CELO will receive support from and work closely with the Natural Justice staff based in Namibia and South Africa.  

Requirements

• A paralegal qualification or related qualification, such as environmental sciences or law.
• Namibian citizen, residing in Namibia with preference given to candidates in the North East of Namibia, i.e. N#a Jaqna and Nyae Nyae Conservancies or Bwabwata National Park.
• Experience in supporting communities on environmental and/or social justice.
• Keen interest in and commitment to protecting the environment and advocating for Indigenous peoples’ rights.
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders and local environmental organisations.
• Ability to mobilise communities.
• Identify offshore and onshore development activities in Namibia and develop a monitoring plan with NJ and the communities.
• Understand Environmental Impact Assessments or ability to learn this quickly.
• Assist affected communities in formulating comments for EIAs and other public participation processes.
• Professionalism, strong work ethic, and personal initiative (“a self-starter”).
• Critical and analytical thinking.
• Sound written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Access to internet or an ability to obtain access.
• Driver’s license will be advantages.  
• Written and oral fluency in English.
• Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous heritage.

How to apply?

Deadline: 11 March 2024

Please email a detailed CV and a motivation letter indicating why you are interested in the position to nomvuzo@naturaljustice.org with the following subject line: “Namibia, CELO”.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Best of luck!

The Natural Justice Team