What does the Indigenous Fellowship offer?

The Indigenous Fellowship offers an exciting opportunity to a young, up and coming indigenous person who is passionate about supporting communities in securing rights to their lands, resources and knowledge. The indigenous fellow will be introduced to a broad spectrum of issues within environmental and human rights law and provided hands on experience and training in research, legal empowerment, data collection and analysis, public interest litigation, analysis on laws and regulations, and advocacy. Over the duration of the Fellowship, the fellow will have the opportunity to spend time and work directly with communities, community-based organizations and Community Environmental Legal Officers. 

The Fellowship will provide the successful applicant a stronger understanding of/in:

• the principles of environmental and human rights law and citizenry participation in environmental decision-making;
• the realities of communities facing environmental injustices;
• community centred legal empowerment methodologies;
• the policy and governance decision-making processes of key institutions and bodies;
• analysing and evaluating environmental and human rights laws, regulations and policies;
• analysing and commenting on policy and legislative frameworks;
• evidence based environmental justice advocacy and research; and
• the civil society organizations and individuals in Southern Africa working towards environmental justice.
• Experience of working with Indigenous communities around environmental justice.

The Fellowship will be for a period of 12 months full time.  A modest salary and travel allowance will be provided. The successful applicants will be expected to start on September 1, 2021.

Requirements

• National Senior Certificate (Matric) or equivalent.
• Fluency in English and one other South African language. The applications are open to South African citizens.  
• Ability to engage in research, draft reports and legal documents.
• A passion for learning and a commitment to environmental justice
• Ability to work productively, and to deliver on their work timeously.
• Reliability and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• A willingness to travel on a regular basis on short notice and sometimes for extended periods.
• An awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• An ability to work with communities in a respectful and effective manner.
• Committed to continuous learning and to self-development with a focus on professionally promoting organizational interests, objectives and values.

Application process

Deadline: 3o June 2021

Please email your application to applications@naturaljustice.org with the following subject line: “CT: Indigenous Fellowship”.

Applications must include: 

1. A motivation letter that indicates a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about environmental justice more broadly; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role; and
2. A detailed CV with three references.

Please ensure that your application as a whole speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile and key roles and responsibilities. Please do not apply if you do not meet the required experience. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Best of luck!

The Natural Justice Team