Lawyer, Environmental Democracy

ClientEarth; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybride; EUR 43 000 - 58 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

ClientEarth in Brussels is seeking a Lawyer for Environmental Democracy to contribute to upholding the Aarhus Convention and advancing environmental rights across Europe. The role focuses on advocacy, legal analysis, and strategic litigation in key jurisdictions.

Two-year fixed-term with potential extension, reporting to the line manager, and collaboration with NGO partners to ensure independent and effective compliance mechanisms. Fluency in English and a law degree are essential.

Qualifications

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

Responsabilités

• 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.

Connaissances

Fluent English (CEFR C2)

Formation

Law degree

Description du poste

Lawyer, Environmental Democracy

Application Deadline: 14 September 2026

Department: Global Impact

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Brussels

Reporting To: Sebastian Bechtel

Compensation: €4,521 / month

Description

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 with a possibility of extension depending on available funding. 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.

Important dates to note:

• Deadline to submit an initial application: 14th of September
• If your profile passes initial screening, you will be asked to submit additional information in the form of three additional questions.
• The deadline to submit your answers is the 20 of September
• If we do not receive a response to these questions by the deadline we will assume you are no longer interested in the role.
• Interviews will take place the from the 1st of October

Please also review the "Our Hiring Process" section at the bottom of this advert to learn more about the stages involved for this specific role.

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.

Further Information

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

Flexible working: We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based. See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.

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.

Due to the specific requirements of this role ClientEarth may be able to offer work visa sponsorship for candidates who do not have the existing right to work in Belgium or Germany.

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