About the Organisation
The Center for Strategic Litigation (CSL), based in Zanzibar, Tanzania, is East Africa's leading think-and-do tank focused on the rule of law and democracy. Founded in 2019 in response to regional threats to freedoms and constitutional supremacy, CSL uses strategic litigation, public education, advocacy, and research to promote access to justice and empower citizen agency. Through grassroots mobilization, network building, and the capacity development of community animators, CSL challenges rights violations at national and regional courts. Additionally, CSL nurtures young social justice lawyers through its East Africa Emerging Public Interest Advocates Programme and addresses climate justice by advancing legal knowledge, policy reforms, and sustainable development initiatives, as outlined in its Five-Year Strategy.
This role will be part of the African Climate Legal Fellowship Programme (ACLFP), a pilot initiative aimed at bringing experienced lawyers to the environmental public interest sector in Africa and providing pathways for new talent to enter the public interest sector. In addition to the CSL placement, Fellows will be part of a broader cohort benefiting from mentorship, coaching and leadership development, training in environmental and climate change law and science, and a network of likeminded lawyers in Africa. Travel within Africa for a launch convening will also be required. IREX, a global non-profit that has supported more than 50,000 Fellows over 50 years, will implement the fellowship and provide ongoing support to you and your nonprofit organization.
About the Job
CSL seeks an experienced and well-connected mid-career attorney to join this pilot initiative. The placement at CSL offers mentorship, coaching, leadership development, and specialized training in environmental and climate change law and science. Fellows will join a network of like-minded lawyers across Africa and participate in a launch convening requiring travel within the continent. Managed by IREX, the program focuses on climate justice in East Africa, particularly in areas like climate change frameworks, energy transition, carbon markets, and REDD+ projects, with a commitment to community and gender rights. The role is ideal for proactive candidates passionate about leveraging their legal skills to combat climate change and requires the ability to work independently while upholding institutional values.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and support public interest litigation (PIL) and advocacy processes, including case research, and regional and international climate justice and complaint mechanisms, as well as international fora for climate action.
Advise on climate justice programming and funding opportunities for training young lawyers to research and prosecute PIL on climate-focused issues.
Investigate the impacts of large-scale renewable energy projects and adaptation strategies on marginalized communities.
Investigate and critically analyze carbon markets, especially the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), and REDD and REDD+ projects in Africa, focusing on community and gender rights abuses.
Monitor and assess the transparency and accountability of climate finance mechanisms, and their effects on poverty, inequality, and human rights.
Analyze public policies related to climate change, energy, and environmental protection, and their implications for vulnerable communities.
Develop and implement public awareness campaigns that incorporate indigenous knowledge and combat greenwashing practices.
Develop knowledge products including articles, policy and legal briefs and other public education material based on the respective audiences.
Participate in undertaking political economy analyses of climate change and the energy transition in East Africa.
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:
Law degree with a postgraduate diploma in legal practice.
Applicants with demonstrated academic excellence (such as high GPA scores and/or academic awards) are encouraged to apply.
Demonstrable legal research skills and experience through coursework, litigation, internships, or volunteer work.
A strong commitment to advancing social justice and democratic principles and ideals.
Eloquence in English, Kiswahili, and French languages, both in speech and writing, is an advantage.
Demonstrable interest in climate change and environmental law.
Practicing Attorney with a minimum of 5 years of experience in legal practice, passionate about and with some background in human rights law, climate justice, environmental law, or related fields, preferably within East Africa.
Skills:
Strong legal skills, including very strong legal research and analysis abilities.
Familiarity with public interest legal processes and experience in litigation and advocacy.
Demonstrated ability to learn new concepts quickly.
Basic knowledge of carbon markets, REDD, and REDD+ projects.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well with people and across organizations and partnerships.
Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
Proactive, innovative, and creative approach to problem-solving.
Curious mind and tenacity.
Well-read and open-minded individual, organized, efficient, and dependable.
Commitment to institutional values and principles of justice and equity.
Experience with non-legal writing, including proposal and concept note writing, preferred but not required.
To apply
To apply, email your application by Friday 30th August 2024 to melissa@actionappointments.co.za
