Who we are:

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 we stand in solidarity with. Through legal empowerment, research, policy influencing and litigation, and as part of coalitions and campaigns, we support communities to defend and affirm their rights to their lands and environments. To learn more about the work of Natural Justice please refer to www.naturaljustice.org.

What are we looking for?

Natural Justice is implementing several projects across Africa in collaboration with community partners, African and international civil society organizations and funders. These projects cover themes including climate justice, legal empowerment, strategic litigation, the protection of African indigenous knowledge and environmental defenders.

The organization’s largest project is ‘African Activists for Climate Justice’ (AACJ); a 5-year, multimillion euro, coalition-led program of work (currently in its third year), funded by Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project seeks to strengthen an African movement for climate justice, amplifying the voice of communities who are at the frontline of the climate crisis, to call on governments and the private sector to act on the climate crisis and ensure the rights of all people to live a decent and dignified life in a healthy environment are met. The project is being implemented in eight African countries and also has Pan-African and global elements.

Natural Justice seeks a ‘Projects Lead’ to co-ordinate and lead the implementation of its key Pan African projects, including the AACJ project. You will have the overall responsibility for the implementation of the projects’ outcomes and reporting. You will work closely with the Natural Justice regional hubs, project teams, hub directors, finance team and heads of each program – communications and campaigns, litigation, and research and monitoring & evaluation, in order to successfully complete the objectives and reporting requirements of the projects. You will also work closely with our project partners and build networks to further the project aims, and liaise with funders, when required.

Applicants should be 1) passionate about and have experience in climate and environmental justice; 2) experienced in donor-funded project management, implementation and reporting; 3) organized, with excellent coordination and problem-solving skills, able to deliver multiple projects to high standards; and 4) experienced in working in partnership with multiple actors.

The position is full-time, and Natural Justice offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will report to the Director of Programs, and will be based in any African country, with preference given to applicants able to be based in Natural Justice offices in Kenya, South Africa or Senegal. Applicants must be a citizen of an African country or have a valid work permit for an African country.

Contract length will be two years with the intention of a longer-term arrangement.

Key roles and responsibilities:

• Lead and co-ordinate the implementation of Natural Justice key regional projects.
• Ensure the realization of agreed project outcomes and targets as defined for Natural Justice. You will achieve this by monitoring the progress and quality of the program, identifying problems, risks, opportunities and solutions.
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting: you will work closely with the head of research, monitoring, evaluation and learning – and the grants-finance management officer at Natural Justice to monitor the substantive and financial progress of the projects; and under the supervision of the director of programs or executive director, report to and regularly update the funder or AACJ project management unit on behalf of Natural Justice according to requirements.
• Co-ordinate, within the boundaries of the projects, project teams and staff working on the projects to ensure project outcomes and targets.  
• Ensure appropriate programme management systems are in place to ensure effective delivery and impact.
• Co-ordinate, and work closely with, directors of Natural Justice regional hubs, heads of each program, communications – campaigns, and research and MEL.
• Prepare, coordinate, plan with all project partners (annual) plans and budgets, progress reports (narrative and finance), MEAL, reviews and evaluation – in collaboration with the head of research and MEL, NJ regional hub project team members and finance team. 
• Lead the development of project annual plans and indicators, working closely with the head of research and MEL and program teams – and assist in synthesizing and analysing project data to facilitate reporting.
• Contribute to the process of the yearly reviews and final evaluations.
• In collaboration with the head of research and MEL, share project learnings regularly with the NJ team, project target groups and relevant NJ partners.
• Work closely with the communications and campaigns team to develop communications and campaigns strategies for the projects and regularly update the team on communications and advocacy outputs.
• Identify, build and maintain networks and/or partnerships with relevant project stakeholders.
• Provide input, through the Director of Programs, into the fundraising strategy of Natural Justice.
• Undertake local and international travel as required.
• Maintain a good knowledge of the role and policies of Natural Justice.
• To represent Natural Justice in a positive, professional, and effective manner.
• To attend, contribute actively and constructively at team and program meetings.
• Complete any other duties that may be related to the organization’s overall mandate.

Minimum academic requirements:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant social science discipline or law.
• A post graduate degree is desirable.
• A qualification in program management is desirable.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of demonstrated work expertise in climate and environmental justice.
• Proven experience in managing complex projects/programs and delivering outcomes with high standards.
• An understanding of, and experience in, movement building, campaigning and advocacy at national and regional levels.

• Proven analytical, strategic planning, project design, project cycle and financial management skills.
• Experience of managing multi-country projects in diverse contexts.
• Good understanding of and experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) principles and practice.
• Proven people management skills, with experience in co-ordinating teams, supporting individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to build relationships with a diverse range of local, national and global stakeholders.
• Have a results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize, meet deadlines, and hold self and others to account.
• Experience of working with consortia and with establishing partnerships with international/ national/local actors.
• Proven experience in representing an organization at the level of partners, administration, and donors.

Knowledge and key competencies:

• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in French is an added advantage.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Very good ability to work with limited supervision on roles assigned.
• Critically reviews, analyses, synthesizes, compares, and interprets information.
• Takes initiative to go beyond the routine demands of the job.
• Deadline driven.
• Able to effectively negotiate and resolve issues either within or outside of the organization.
• Very good, demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, genders, and orientations.
• Works cooperatively with others to complete work assignments.
• Empathy and respect for diverse views.
• Very good, demonstrable commitment to serving the public interest.

How to Apply:

Applications should be submitted on or before 24 July 2023 via email to allison@naturaljustice.org with ‘Application: Projects Lead’ in the subject line.

Applications must include:
1) A motivation letter that indicates a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about environmental and climate justice work; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role.

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. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Natural Justice believes that a diversity of experiences and perspectives will help us build stronger strategies, teams and movements, and strongly encourages applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, particularly those from under-represented or historically disadvantaged communities.