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 seeks a dynamic and focused Programme Officer to assist in the coordination, implementation, and further development of our Affirming Rights stream work in line with the Cape Town hub strategy. The successful candidate will be based with the Natural Justice team in Cape Town.

The Programme Officer will join the team working to affirm community rights to livelihood, right to freely practise and ensure protection of their traditional knowledge, right to secure land tenure and to actively participate in legislative processes. They will also work with staff within the Standing with Communities and Defending Rights streams.

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. Joining Natural Justice will also give the successful candidate a chance to work with a passionate and professional team in a fast-paced environment and gain valuable national and regional experience.

The key roles and responsibilities

• Support policy relevant analysis and research, contributing to the development and drafting of publications and submissions.
• Support and carry out community engagement and outreach activities such as field trips, communications, documentation, and trainings in close association with Community Environmental Legal Officers, where relevant.
• Support the organisation and management of events, meetings and campaigns to ensure the implementation of research, policy and advocacy plan regionally.
• Track and analyse national and regional policy and advocacy environment, recommending strategic opportunities for Natural Justice engagement in addition to supporting the region in undertaking country specific analysis.
• Keep up to date with new developments in policy at regional and national levels, evidence for select committees, parliamentary enquiries and related policy consultations on issues relevant to the work of Natural Justice.
• Represent Natural Justice at public engagement events.
• Identify, and participate in networks in established Natural Justice priority areas with relevant stakeholders and partners, providing salient information on a continuous basis.
• Network with regional stakeholders to build strategic relationships and deepen Natural Justice’s understanding of key policy issues and advocacy opportunities.
• Represent Natural Justice in relevant governance, planning, and lobby meetings of umbrella organisations and coalitions.
• Support the collection and documentation of impact stories for sharing, learning and advocacy in close association with Community Environmental Legal Officers, where relevant.
• Contribute to the drafting of written materials and copy for media communications and advocacy initiatives.
• Support and maintain all documentation, data and information systems related to research, policy and advocacy.
• Write opinion articles on the outcomes of the programmatic work. 
• Responsibilities will include ensuring that all work incorporates climate change-related goals as much as possible.

Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in a related field or demonstrated experience implementing research, policy and advocacy initiatives in a not-for-profit organisation
• Applied knowledge and experience within the civil society sector
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good writing and presentation skills
• Strategic thinker and work well in a collective
• Ability to travel extensively, both locally and internationally, as may be required.
• Proficient in English, as well as any other Southern Africa language. Portuguese will be an advantage.

Application process

Deadline: 21 June 2021

Please email your application to applications@naturaljustice.org with the following subject line: “CT: Programme Officer Affirming Rights”.

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 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. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Salary is commensurate with skill and experience.  Contract length will be 12 months with the intention of a longer-term arrangement.

Best of luck!

The Natural Justice Team