Deadline: 8 April 2015
Applications are invited for the Africa Community Rights Fellowships in Kenya that offers young lawyers and other engaged professionals the opportunity to work towards community rights in the region. The Fellowship is offered through the Natural Justice Kenya office and will provide an opportunity to legal and other professionals who are passionate about supporting communities in securing rights to their lands and resources and addressing the impacts of infrastructure or extractive industry projects,with a focus on the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) programme.
Natural Justice: Lawyers for Communities and the Environment, a non-profit organisation specialized in human rights and environmental law, has been working with local communities, NGOs and government agencies in Kenya since 2009. It is composed of international team of legal practitioners, who conduct comprehensive research on environmental and human rights law, support communities and local organisations, provide technical advice to governments and intergovernmental organisations, and engage in key international processes in pursuit of environmental and social justice.
The Fellows will be based in the Natural Justice Kenya office in Nairobi with frequent travel to counties impacted by LAPSSET, in particular Isiolo, Lamu and Marsabit.
Focus Country: Kenya
Duration & Benefits
The Fellowship is for a period of 6 months to begin in late April. An honorarium will be offered along with a travel budget.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant must be from Kenya and must have:
- A degree in law, humanities or other relevant disciplines;
- Understanding of, and proficiency in the Kenyan legal system and institutional arrangements;
- Ability to engage in research, draft reports and legal documents;
- Good research skills with the ability to critically analyse environmental, mining and infrastructure laws and policy issues;
- Fluency in Kiswahili & English and an ability to engage in discussions with communities and run workshops where necessary;
- A passion for learning, networking with partners, initiating new work, and innovating on existing research and fieldwork;
- A keen interest in advancing the rights of communities to their lands and natural resources;
- A willingness to travel on a regular basis and sometimes for extended periods.
- Applicants from areas along the LAPSSET Corridor in Kenya are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
- Applicants can submit their applications via email including Africa Community Rights Fellowship in the subject line.
- Applicants are required to include a motivation letter that indicates why you feel you are the best candidate for this fellowship, a detailed CV with at least two references, and one relevant sample of your past work.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information, please visit Community Fellowships.
