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 specialise 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.
Natural Justice has three main pillars: Affirming and Securing Rights to Lands, Resources and Knowledge; Defending Rights against Environmental and Social Impacts; and Standing with Communities.
To learn more about the work of Natural Justice please refer to www.naturaljustice.org
What are we looking for?
Based on the intersecting crises including environmental and climate, human rights abuses, patriarchy, race and inequality amongst others, Natural Justice is in a key phase to expand its work to stand behind more communities across Africa.
Natural Justice is seeking a full-time Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer to join its Southern African Hub. The Hub works across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The successful candidate will work with a passionate team working across all three workstreams to conduct monitoring, evaluation and learning in relation to their work advancing land rights, climate justice, resource rights, and rights relating to indigenous people and local communities.
We are seeking a candidate that has strong demonstrable experience in MEAL within the development sector, especially across Southern African countries. Experience in both quantitative and qualitative aspects of research, especially endogenous and participatory research methodologies, and experience with working with communities across Southern Africa, is preferred.
The MEAL Officer will report to the Hub Director and collaborate with the different programme teams on individual projects. The successful candidate will be based in Cape Town, with regular travel nationally, and occasional travel internationally. They are expected to begin work as soon as possible.
What’s on offer?
Natural Justice is a small, close-knit and nurturing collective that places emphasis on facilitating opportunities for the professional and personal growth of its members. Natural Justice will offer a nationally competitive salary commensurate with skill and experience. The contract length will be full-time for one year with the intention of a longer-term arrangement.
The key roles and responsibilities
The key roles and responsibilities of the MEAL Officer will include:
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
- Assist in the development of a MEAL strategy and initiate, plan, implement and manage MEAL projects and activities (including timelines, deliverables and budgeting) in the specific country under the guidance of the Hub Director.
- Manage the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes in the Hub, under the guidance of the Hub Director and Research Manager.
- Develop systems and policies for monitoring, evaluation and learning.
- Facilitate opportunities for reflection, learning and growth within the southern African team.
- Plan and coordinate regular advisory research meetings on cross-cutting programme themes.
Data management and communications
- Organise all relevant project activities, including developing project plans, timelines and monitoring and evaluation.
- Contribute to data management, utilise and improve the Hub’s knowledge management system and write reports in relation to research and activities.
- Contribute to internal communications in relation to activities in Southern Africa.
- Assist in the conceptualization of, conduct research and write articles and opinions on core issues, including land rights, climate change, environmental compliance, impacts of major projects and citizen’s advocacy.
Research
- Work with the Hub Director and Programme Managers to further develop, maximize the impact of and expand Natural Justice’s research outputs in Southern Africa.
- Contribute to endogenous and participatory research activities with the Southern Africa team.
- Conduct surveys and research in relation to community context and undertake analysis of effectiveness and impact of Natural Justice’s work.
Partnership and donor relationships
- Form and maintain good working relationships with all key partners including communities, government entities and donors.
- Work with management on monitoring and evaluation conceptualisation for funding applications and reports.
- Write publications, research reports, concept documents, academic papers, organisational reports.
- Contribute to donor and annual reporting.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s Degree in political science, economics, statistics, mathematics, environmental studies or other relevant social science discipline.
- A post-graduate degree in research, law, political science, economics, environment, climate change and adaptation or other relevant social science discipline will be advantageous.
- At least 3 years’ experience in positions requiring monitoring and evaluation.
- Understanding of Southern African social-environmental issues.
- Experience working directly with communities would be advantageous.
- Experience with conducting primary and/or desktop research and preparing clear and analytical reports.
- Experience writing applications and reporting to donors.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Proactive approach to work and good self-motivation.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team.
- Conviction in and commitment to the principles of environmental justice.
- Sound emotional intelligence skills to enable interaction with persons from all sectors of the society.
- Proficiency in English. Fluency in another local language would be advantageous.
- Ability to undertake local and international travel.
- Ability to work in South Africa.
Application process
Deadline: 12 November 2021
Please email your application to admin.nj@naturaljustice.org with the following subject line: “CT: MEAL Officer”.
Applications must include:
- A motivation letter that indicates: a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about environmental justice; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role;
- A detailed CV with three contactable references; and
- Three samples of your past written work (for example, articles or research reports).
Please ensure that your application speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile and key roles and responsibilities. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Best of luck! The Natural Justice Team
