Senior Program Officer- Community Land and Environmental Justice at Namati

• We are seeking a skilled and experienced Land and Environmental Justice advocate, with extensive experience working to leverage the power of the law and the power of people- to join us on this quest. As the senior program officer, you will be responsible for providing expert legal advice and representation on matters related to land use, environmental regulations, conservation, and natural resources. You will work closely with communities, government agencies (such as NEMA), and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and to address environmental/land-related issues.

Overall, the Senior Program Officer will be responsible for the following:

Legal strategy

• Work closely with government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to address the environmental concerns of communities.
• Participate in public hearings and community engagement initiatives that have an implication on their land and environmental rights.
• Identify opportunities to support communities and strengthen collective power on land and natural resource rights, inclusive conservation, and environmental justice.
• Provide guidance on legal options to challenge land and environmental injustice, pushing especially for win-win solutions for communities engaging with external parties.
• Develop and implement remediation plans based on reviewed contracts, agreements, and legal documents pertaining to land, environmental impact assessments.
• Build strong legal strategies to support public interest claims.
• Collaborate closely with partners, activists, and other stakeholders to understand the root causes of each issue, building a strong case based on comprehensive data and evidence.
• Represent communities in administrative hearings, court proceedings, and negotiations related to land use disputes, environmental violations, and enforcement actions.
• Provide high-level guidance to the Land and Environmental Justice program, and our partners, on issues relevant to conservation, land and environmental law and broader natural resource rights.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external experts to identify strategies for supporting communities, address environmental risks, minimize liability, and promote sustainable land use practices.
• Keep communities (and yourself) up-to-date on relevant legislation, regulations, and case law affecting land use and environmental issues

Program Support and Development

• Work closely with the program team and partners to develop and implement strategic initiatives focused on land and environmental justice that address disparities, empower marginalized communities, and promote equitable access to natural resources.
• Consult with Namati partners, community-based organizations, environmental groups, and advocacy networks to identify key issues related to land and environmental injustices - and help develop solutions to address them.
• Conduct research and analysis to assess the impact of existing policies, regulations, and land use practices on disadvantaged communities, and develop recommendations for improvement.
• Advocate for Land and Environmental Justice through media campaigns, public speaking engagements, and community outreach programs to raise awareness about land injustices and draw public support.

Must Haves:

• Strong track record in land and environmental justice law: You’re an advocate of the High Court with a practicing certificate and have developed a deep knowledge and understanding of land laws and regulations pertaining to community land, land use, zoning, environmental protection, conservation, and natural resource management. You bring solid experience (6+ years) providing legal counsel and representation in these areas, including Public Interest litigation and negotiations. Your experience means that you’ve built networks with government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations across Kenya, particularly the Northern region.
• Aptitude for research and analysis: You have a demonstrated track record of skilled research and writing. You can skillfully interpret complex legal documents and regulations, including for non-legal audiences.
• Skilled with communication: Your written and verbal communications demonstrate clarity of thought, rigorous analysis, and sensitivity to audience and context. You can convey complex legal concepts to a variety of communities, stakeholders, and non-legal professionals.
• Resourceful problem-solving skills: You know how to find answers and can figure out how to solve problems when they arise.
• Organized and attentive to detail: You’re hyper-organized and detail-oriented by nature; you take pleasure in letting no ball drop as you deftly juggle multiple projects.

Nice-to-Have:

• Master’s degree in environmental law, human rights, sustainable development, or any other related field.
• A track record of working on public interest legal cases.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and developments in land use and environmental law is highly desirable.
• Experience in designing and managing projects focused on environmental justice.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Indigenous land rights issues, including historical and ongoing land injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
• Experience working directly with Indigenous communities on land rights, community development, or related issues.