Community Environmental Legal Officer (CELO) Kwale, Mombasa

Who is Natural Justice?
Natural Justice is an African non-profit organization specializing in environmental justice. As a team of pioneering lawyers and legal experts, we specialize in human rights, climate law and environmental law to pursue social, climate and environmental justice. Natural Justice has been working with communities, NGOs, and government agencies in Kenya since 2009. Natural Justice strives to enhance people’s collective rights and protect the sacred relationships indigenous peoples, and local communities have with nature. Our work is informed by the values, knowledge, and selfdetermination of the communities with whom we stand in solidarity. Through legal empowerment,
research, policy influencing and litigation, and as part of coalitions and campaigns, we support communities to know the law, use the law and shape the law. Natural Justice has three main
programs: the Affirming Rights Program, Defending Rights Program and Standing with Communities Program. To learn more about the work of Natural Justice, please refer
to www.naturaljustice.org

What are we looking for?
Kenya has several laws designed to protect citizens and their environments from adverse effects of various projects. However, a gap often exists between these laws and theirimplementation resulting in negative impacts on local communities. To help bridge this gap, we are seeking a full- time Community Environmental Legal Officer (CELO) to work with communities negatively affected by environmental issues, assisting them in finding remedies through government administrative and regulatory institutions. Responsibilities include collecting and submitting evidence of environmental impacts, facilitating discussions with relevant government institutions, and
collaborating with local civil society groups. The successful candidate will join a team of CELOs and implement projects in Kwale and Mombasa areas of the Coastal Region. They will also work closely with
the Natural Justice Program Team based in Nairobi.

Key Roles:
The CELO shall perform the following duties:

• Implement and manage the work of Natural Justice in Kwale and Mombasa.
• Engage in environmental, climate and land policy research, and advocacy.
• 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 counties.
• Provide paralegal advice and support to the communities with whom Natural Justice and its partner’s work.
• Offer paralegal support and advice to environmental defenders and communities.
• Undertake legal research, and support communities in writing submissions to government agencies
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with all key partners including communities, government entities and donors.
• Contribute to the overall Natural Justice program and strategy.
• Collaborate with Natural Justice staff in the East Africa Hub to implement projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of a Diploma in Environmental sciences, Human Rights, International Relations,
  Social Sciences or related field from a recognized university.
• 3 years relevant work experience in the legal environment, capacity development,
  mobilization and coalition/ movement building, policy, social, or other public interest field
  in lieu of the aforementioned educational qualification.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of Kenya’s public interest laws, particularly human
  rights, land, and environmental law, is preferred but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Keen interest in and commitment to advancing marginalized communities’ rights,
  particularly in their environments.
• Computer literacy- Understanding of data entry, basic computer skills and knowledge of
  databases.
• Conviction in and commitment to constitutionalism, human rights and principles of
  environmental justice.
• Good research skills in legal and/or policy and social issues.
• Be a citizen of Kenya or have authorization to work in Kenya.
• Must be living in Kwale or Mombasa counties, and preferably originate from these counties
  and have previous work experience with these communities.

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, analytically 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”).
• 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.
• Willingness and ability to travel often, in Kenya and regionally as necessary