The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is looking for a senior attorney to join their management team and head their Corporate Accountability & Transparency programme. This position is for an admitted attorney with experience in legal and people management, a passion for environmental rights and social justice, and an interest in holding South African and multinational corporates accountable for their impact on our environment and people.
The core focus of the Corporate Accountability & Transparency programme is to boldly confront corporate failures to comply with environmental laws and to hold these companies accountable for the detrimental impacts of their investments on society and the environment; and to raise investor awareness about the significant risks of non-compliance.
The CER Corporate Accountability & Transparency programme is at the forefront of strategically developing innovative methods to improve transparency and accountability to ensure that the actions of polluting companies as well as Development Financial Institutions (DFI) are scrutinised and acknowledge the impacts of polluting companies on the environment and our communities, through-
Tracking environmental impacts and violations of environmental laws by companies operating in South Africa;
Shareholder activism to compel compliance with environmental laws and disclosure of impacts and violations;
Input into sustainable reporting frameworks and guidelines;
Engagement with companies, institutional investors and industry associations around environmental impacts and disclosures;
Monitoring and advocacy for Environmental and Social Governance compliance of companies and DFI's;
Ensuring a human rights-based approach to climate finance in the just energy transition discourse;
Litigating against corporations for failure to comply with environmental laws and challenge their policies that exacerbate climate change.
Working with CER's other programmes, the CA&T programme seeks to change public expectations of corporate obligations to realise environmental justice and to ensure that the operations of industry do not violate our Constitutional rights.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
An LLB or equivalent qualification; an LLM, particularly in environmental or human rights law, will be an advantage.
Admission as attorney of the High Court of South Africa, with proven track record of at least 5 years' post-qualification litigation experience, particularly in constitutional and administrative law (experience in environmental litigation at strategic level would be an advantage).
Sound knowledge of Superior Courts' procedures and practice.
Experience in managing and overseeing advocacy campaigns and strategies.
Experience in managing numerous complex litigation matters, providing strategic advice and direction, and overseeing work of litigation attorneys.
An understanding of social issues and the needs of communities impacted by environmental degradation and injustice, and a passion for social, environmental and climate justice.
A sound knowledge and understanding of environmental laws and the legal requirements of corporate governance, disclosure and reporting; sustainable and responsible investment initiatives and associated environmental, social, and governance factors; and legal and procedural requirements for environmental decision-making and legal challenges.
Proven experience in developing legal (litigation and advocacy) strategies.
Aptitude for leadership and managerial competence: at least 5 years' experience in a management role, including people management and a commitment to the career development of attorneys and candidate attorneys.
Commitment to and experience in implementing diversity, inclusion, and transformation in all aspects of the work, building a value-driven institutional culture, and promoting staff wellness.
Competence and experience in strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Good public speaking skills, and experience and confidence in dealing with the media.
Excellent networking skills, and strong capabilities in building support amongst a wide range of stakeholders, partners and networks.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
While we require flexibility from all our staff as our strategic imperatives change and develop over time, key responsibilities of this position currently include the following:
Programme leadership and implementation: Leading the Corporate Accountability programme, and ensuring delivery against the CER's Strategic Plan; reporting, recording and sharing learning for systemic change; and providing strategic and inclusive leadership to the programme team;
Strategic litigation: Providing key strategic advice and direction in litigation, and overseeing the programme's strategic litigation for communities and civil society organisations in line with CER's litigation strategy and priorities;
Legal advocacy: Leading the programme's advocacy and engagement with regulators, corporates, and other stakeholders that impact corporate accountability, in order to achieve strategic change and improved practice; drafting evidence-based reports in support of the programme's strategic objectives; providing expert input into draft environmental, social, and governance policies and legislation; and making submissions in Parliament and in other key forums;
Strategic communications: Building the profile of the CER and Corporate Accountability programme by leading a communications plan for the programme, which includes writing editorials and media releases, and giving media interviews;
Financial management: Planning the programme budget; monitoring and controlling expenditure against the programme budget; and liaising with and reporting to funders;
Human resources and talent management: Managing the performance and career development of, and training and overseeing, the work of attorneys, candidate attorneys, and any other staff in the programme team; and working to strengthen and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the programme team.
