Community Environmental Legal Officer (CELO), Lamu County at Natural Justice

• The CELO will work with community members to collect and submit evidence of environmental impacts, facilitate discussions with relevant government institutions and liaise and collaborate with local civil society groups. The successful candidate will join a team of Community Environmental Legal Officers and will implement the projects in Lamu area of the Coastal Region. They will also work very closely with the Natural Justice Program Team based in Nairobi.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CELO shall perform the following duties:

• Implement and manage the work of Natural Justice in Lamu County.
• Engage in constitutional and environmental policy research, advocacy and support local communities affected by climate change and large-scale extractives, infrastructure and other projects, by providing legal advice, and by supporting legal empowerment approaches in the respective county.
• Provide high quality legal advice and support to communities that Natural Justice works with and its partners.
• Give legal support and advice to environmental defenders and communities.
• Undertake legal research, write submissions and provide opinions on environmental and climate justice issues.
• Contribute to the overall Natural Justice program and strategy.
• Form and maintain good working relationships with all key partners including communities, government entities and donors.
• Collaborate with Natural Justice staff in the East Africa Hub in implementation of projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Environmental sciences, Human Rights, International Relations, Social Sciences or related field from a recognized university.
• 4 years relevant work experience in the legal environment, capacity development, coalition building, policy, social, or other public interest field in lieu of the aforementioned Bachelor’s degree.
• Knowledge of Kenya’s constitutional and administrative law, including human rights, land & environmental law.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Keen interest in and commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized communities, particularly in relation to their environments.
• Computer literacy- Understanding of data entry, basic computer skills and knowledge of databases.
• Conviction in and commitment to constitutionalism and principles of environmental justice.
• Good legal research skills in law, policy and social issues.
• Be a citizen of Kenya or have authorization to work in Kenya.

Competencies

The desirable traits and attributes include:

• A person of high integrity that will model Natural Justice’s core values.
• Highly motivated, pro-active individual able to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritize, act on initiative and meet deadlines
• Ability to think critically and problem solve
• Reliability and attention to detail
• Ability to work with the team and to develop and maintain good relationships with community-based or other grassroots groups and partners
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Professionalism, strong work ethic, and personal initiative (“a self-starter”).
• Critical and analytical thinking.
• Ability to mobilize communities.
• 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 and deal with high workloads.
• Willingness and ability to travel often, in Kenya and regionally as necessary.

How to apply

• Should you match these requirements, please submit your application via e-mail to recruit@platinumadvisory.co.ke with ‘CELO- Lamu County as the subject line on or before 31 December 2023. Applications must include: a cover letter that indicates your understanding of environmental justice and why it is important in Kenya and why you feel you are the best candidate; a detailed CV with three references of people you have worked with, at least one of whom supervised you. Do not attach your testimonials or certificates.