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

Who are we looking for?

Natural Justice seeks a legal professional to join its Southern Africa hub on a part-time basis as a Programme Officer based in Namibia, supporting the work of the organisation in Namibia and Botswana.

The successful candidate will work on an innovative three-year USAID-funded project ensuring sustainable and locally-driven development and human rights interventions aimed at strengthening Indigenous peoples’ in Southern Africa.

The project will work with Indigenous peoples and communities in three Southern African countries, namely South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, to provide a capacity building and collaboration platform for the governance of their land and natural resources, as well as the promotion of sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.

The project has been designed within the context of the Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PRO-IP) of the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID). The Programme Officer may also assist in other work of the Hub, especially work in relation to Indigenous peoples’ rights.

The Programme Officer must have an interest in supporting Indigenous peoples and local communities in the context of the climate crisis, throughout the countries we work in. They will be expected to foster long-term, committed relationships with communities, build connections to community partners and work in consortiums and partnerships with other civil society organisations.

They will work with a passionate team of staff within the hub and frequently collaborate with staff across the organisation. They will be expected to work with support staff, including finance, communications, monitoring and evaluation, and research staff.

Their knowledge and experience should include a strong background in providing legal support and/or litigation in Namibia, climate justice, environmental law, and working with indigenous peoples and local communities. Experience working in Botswana will be an advantage.  

What’s on offer?

Natural Justice is a close-knit and nurturing collective that places emphasis on facilitating opportunities for the professional and personal growth of its members. Joining Natural Justice will also give the successful candidate a chance to work with a passionate and professional team across Africa, and support the candidate to gain valuable national and regional experience.

The position is part-time (approximately 20 hours per week) for the duration of the project, a period of three years.

The successful candidate should be based in Namibia, with regular travel nationally and regionally, and occasional travel internationally. They are expected to begin work as soon as possible.

The key roles and responsibilities

The Programme Officer will be expected to, amongst other things:

• Support indigenous peoples and communities in Namibia and Botswana affected by environmental injustices brought about by, for example, large-scale extractives, land grabs, infrastructure and other projects, by providing legal advice to defend and affirm their rights and by implementing legal empowerment approaches. 
• Support environmental and climate litigation cases affirming and defending indigenous peoples’ rights in Namibia and Botswana, where relevant. 
• Undertake legal research, write submissions and provide input on legislation as it pertains to environmental and climate justice issues related to Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Namibia and Botswana. 
• Provide support to community environmental legal officers in Namibia and Botswana, where relevant.
• Support the overall implementation of the Indigenous peoples-focused project funded by USAID.
• Provide support and assistance to staff to ensure full compliance with the technical specifications of the funder.
• Identify, build and maintain networks and/or partnerships with relevant stakeholders in Namibia and Botswana as is relevant to the project.
• Assist with supporting the growth of the work of the Hub as it relates to Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Namibia and Botswana.  
• Collaborate with Natural Justice staff in the other countries. Participate in regular programme meetings of the Hub and Natural Justice.
• Submit updates and reports on projects and programmes to the Hub Director.

Requirements

• Completed legal qualification and admission as an attorney or advocate in Namibia.
• At least two years’ post-admission experience in a legal environment.
• Experience in Indigenous peoples’ rights, land rights, environmental justice, human rights or other related sectors.
• An in-depth knowledge of Namibia’s constitutional and administrative law, including human rights, land & environmental law, or a clear ability to acquire the necessary knowledge within a short space of time.  Additional familiarity with Botswana law will be an advantage.
• Experience in working with marginalised communities and/or Indigenous communities.
• Good research skills in law, policy and social issues.
• Sound written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to grasp quickly and accurately new and complex concepts.
• Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team.
• Ability to balance priorities and co-ordinate work effectively in order to meet deadlines.
• Conviction in and commitment to community rights, constitutionalism and 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. 

Application process

Deadline: 11 August 2023

Please email your application to Nomvuzo Ranelo <nomvuzo@naturaljustice.org> with the following subject line: “CT: Programme Officer, Namibia”.

Applications must include:

1. 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;
2. A detailed CV with three contactable references; and
3. Two samples, if possible, of your past written work (for example, articles or research reports).

Please ensure that your application as a whole speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile and key roles and responsibilities. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Natural Justice supports the development of young, African legal and human rights professionals and promotes representation and diversity within their hiring practices.

Best of luck!

The Natural Justice Team