Lawyer, Environmental Democracy

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Belgique; Hybride; EUR 55 000 - 75 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Flexible working

Flexa Employer policy

Résumé du poste

ClientEarth is seeking a Lawyer, Environmental Democracy to advance the Aarhus Convention across Europe, ensuring accessible information, participation and justice in environmental matters.

The role contributes to strategic litigation efforts, supports policy advocacy with NGOs and public authorities, and requires strong legal research skills and English fluency. This fixed-term position lasts two years and offers flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Degree in law and fluent English (CEFR C2).
• Experience in UN processes or national environmental planning/permitting.
• Strong legal research and analytical abilities.

Responsabilités

• Engage in advocacy to promote and defend the Aarhus Convention with NGOs and management.
• Identify barriers to access to justice in environmental matters at national level.
• Build relationships with NGOs, legal experts, academics and stakeholders.

Connaissances

English fluency (CEFR C2)

Legal research

Policy analysis

Formation

Law degree

Description du poste

Lawyer, Environmental Democracy

The Environmental Democracy team works towards the correct implementation and enforcement of the ‘Aarhus Convention’, that is, the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters – the most progressive international agreement for citizens’ rights to information, participation and access to justice in Europe. The team aims to advance the principles of accountability, transparency and responsiveness for the good governance of EU institutions and national public authorities.

This is a fixed-term role for two years. The post holder will contribute to the team’s work in promoting and protecting the Aarhus Convention as a strong legal framework for environmental democracy and civic space, in particular to ensure that its compliance mechanisms remain independent and function effectively. Additionally, the post-holder will support strategic litigation efforts of ClientEarth and other organisations in key European jurisdictions to set legal precedents that give broad access to justice.

Main duties

• Engage in advocacy aimed at promoting and defending the Aarhus Convention, working closely with the line manager and NGO partners to advance agreed policy objectives;
• Identify and address barriers to access to justice in environmental matters on national level, with a focus on Central or South Eastern Europe, including by contributing to legal analysis and assisting with strategic litigation;
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with NGOs, legal experts, academics and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in support of the Aarhus Convention;

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• Fluent (CEFR level C2) in English
• A degree in law
• Relevant professional experience working in UN processes or in national environmental planning and/or permitting
• Strong legal research and analytical skills and ability in performing rigorous and creative legal analysis in support of impactful work

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

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ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds.

See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the countries listed at the top of this job advert.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.

About ClientEarth

We are a non-profit using the power of the law to bring about end-to-end systemic change: informing, implementing and enforcing the law, drafting and advising decision-makers on policy, building legal expertise, and ensuring citizens’ access to the laws that defend them.
We take governments to court – and win. We force polluting industries to shut down. We protect irreplaceable forests and vulnerable species. We empower people and NGOs with the legal rights to bring forward environmental battles of their own. Using the law means that we create real, long-lasting and embedded change.
We’re working to secure a lasting civilisation in which people and nature thrive together. We work in partnership across borders, systems and sectors, ingeniously using the law to protect life on Earth.

We take governments to court – and win. We force polluting industries to shut down. We protect irreplaceable forests and vulnerable species. We empower people and NGOs with the legal rights to bring forward environmental battles of their own. Using the law means that we create real, long-lasting and embedded change.

We’re working to secure a lasting civilisation in which people and nature thrive together. We work in partnership across borders, systems and sectors, ingeniously using the law to protect life on Earth.