Natural Justice and Earth Justice seek a full-time ‘Coordinator and Legal Officer’ to assist in the coordination, implementation and further development of our new Africa Just Energy Transition Initiative. The successful candidatewill work under the guidance of both Earthjustice and Natural Justice. The position will formally be administered by Natural Justice, with the successful candidate based at either the Nairobi or Cape Town offices, although alternatives may be arranged for exceptional candidates.
The Coordinator and Legal Officer will join a team of lawyers working to advance the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions in key countries across Africa. The successful candidate will work with non-governmental organizations and other allied institutions to assist the legal team to advocate for the development of regulatory frameworks for – and to remove obstacles to – the accelerated deployment of clean and renewable energy, and to support work on cases challenging fossil energy projects.
Earthjustice is a US-based non-profit law firm that has a long track record of success in partnering across borders to use domestic and international law to support communities and NGOs fight for a healthy environment. Earthjustice works with partners around the world on domestic and international legal advocacy to reduce dependence on dirty fossil fuels and speed the transition to clean energy.
Natural Justice is a Pan-African non-profit organization specializing in environmental, human rights and energy law in Africa in pursuit of environmental and climate justice. Natural Justice uses the law to support communities and civil society to participate in decisions that affect their land, culture, and environment, with programmatic focus areas on climate change, extractives (coal, oil, gas, and minerals), community rights, and conservation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and coordinate, with the Natural Justice and Earth Justice teams, effective strategies to advance the clean energy transition in various national contexts, and creativity think through the theory of change,
- Collaborate and coordinate with Natural Justice offices in multiple countries, Earthjustice staff, other NGO partners, academic and government allies, technical experts, and -based movements to develop and implement legal advocacy and litigation strategies to fight fossil fuel projects and advance the clean energy transition.
- Identify and engage in policy, including legal and regulatory reform, on energy law and electricity market regulation, and environmental law as appropriate, with key partners and allies.
- Provide comments and make submissions on relevant law and policy.
- Support the litigation of relevant cases and respond to inquiries of partners or relevant stakeholders. Provide technical advice to partners, affected communities and other relevant stakeholders.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with allies, co-counsel, clients, coalition partners, and Natural Justice staff in multiple countries in support of program goals.
- Deliver presentations and organize and conduct workshops and meetings.
- Work effectively with other departments within Natural Justice and Earthjustice, including Communications and Development. Assist in the development of the programme strategies and manage the planning and implementation of projects, campaigns, and litigation.
- Identify, build, and maintain networks and/or partnerships with relevant stakeholders from government, civil society groups, the private sector and academics.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in law with a minimum of five years of demonstrated work experience in the environmental and/or energy sectors.
- A post-graduate degree in law, political science or other relevant social science discipline is desirable.
- Knowledge of and experience in clean energy issues, and environmental or energy law.
- Experience in coordinating and supervising teams.
- Proficiency in working with technical experts.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent legal advocacy and/or litigation skills, including legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
- Good judgment, initiative, ability to think critically and problem-solve, and a strong work ethic.
- Ability to work independently and in collaboration with clients, partners and staff, and to develop and maintain partnerships with community-based or other grassroots groups.
- Ability and willingness to travel internationally, as needed.
- Enthusiasm for researching local policy and legal contexts.
- Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- The ideal candidate will also have substantial experience working in several African countries, and professional fluency in English; fluency in French is desirable.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email to lucien@naturaljustice.org with ‘Application for the position of Coordinator and Legal Officer, Africa Just Energy Transition Initiative” in the subject line.
Applications must include:
- A motivation letter that indicates: a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about the clean energy transition and environmental justice; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role;
- A detailed CV with three references; and
- Two writing samples (for example, legal briefs, articles or research reports) that demonstrate your own legal analysis and writing.
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.
Applications Deadline
The application deadline is 20 April 2022; however, application submissions will remain open until the position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Salary is commensurate with skill and experience. The contract length will be two years with the intention of a longer-term arrangement.
Natural Justice and Earthjustice are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities.
