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

West Coast coastal community

The West Coast of South Africa is rich in biodiversity, both on land and in the ocean. Many small scale and indigenous fishers along the coast are reliant on the ecosystem for their livelihood and coastal communities have deep associated cultural practices with the land and ocean.

Natural Justice has been working with coastal communities along the coastline who are facing a number of offshore oil and gas developments and onshore mining and has been supporting the Guriqua indigenous community with their advocacy efforts.  

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, and the candidate will work closely with the small-scale fishers of the West Coast, Guriqua indigenous community, and coastal community at large. The CELO will be expected to work with the above mentioned 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 on the West Coast. The CELO will receive support from and work closely with the Natural Justice Southern Africa Hub based in Cape Town and remotely in Southern Africa.

Requirements

• A paralegal qualification or related qualification, such as environmental sciences or law.
• Rooted in the community of the West Coast.
• Experience in supporting communities on environmental and/or social justice.
• Keen interest in and commitment to protecting the environment (marine and land) and advocating for Indigenous people’s rights.
• Professionalism, strong work ethic, and personal initiative (“a self-starter”).
• Identify offshore and onshore mining activities on the West Coast and develop a monitoring plan with NJ and the communities.
• Have an understanding of Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders and local environmental organisations.
• Assist the community and indigenous council in formulating comments for EIAs and public policies.
• Ability to mobilise communities.
• Critical and analytical thinking.
• Sound written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel often within the West Coast and in South Africa, where necessary.
• Knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Access to internet or an ability to obtain access.
• Driver’s license.  
• Written and oral fluency in English and Afrikaans.
• Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous heritage.

How to apply?

Deadline: 9 February 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: “CT: CELO, West Coast”.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Best of luck!

The Natural Justice Team