Position Available

Programme Manager: Extractives and Infrastructure, Climate Change – Kenya

Who is Natural Justice?

Natural Justice is an African non-profit organisation specialising in environmental justice. Natural Justice uses the law to support communities participate in decisions that affect their land, culture and environment. We are a close-knit and nurturing collective that places emphasis on facilitating opportunities for the professional and personal growth of its members.

With the increase in oil and gas exploration, major infrastructure and industrial projects, there will be increasing impacts upon marginalised communities dependent on their environments. Simultaneously, these projects also exacerbate the effects of climate change already being suffered by communities. Concurrently, Kenya has seen a proliferation of the legal and policy frameworks that govern these sectors, including climate change, however, there remains a major challenge in implementation. To deal with this challenge, the Extractives and Infrastructure and Climate Change Programmes use community legal empowerment approaches, including community paralegals, provide legal advice and training to project partners, comment on environmental impact assessments, undertake research on relevant climate and other environmental decision-making processes within the country and make submissions on law and policy.

What we’re looking for?

Natural Justice is growing and seeking a full-time programme manager to implement and further develop the work of the programmes in Kenya, under the guidance of the Kenya Director and regional programme directors. The successful candidate will be based in Nairobi, with frequent local travel and occasional international travel, and will be expected to begin work as soon as possible.

What’s on offer?

Joining Natural Justice will also give the successful candidate a chance to work with a passionate and professional team in a fast-paced environment and gain valuable national experience. Natural Justice will offer a competitive salary commensurate with skill and experience. Contract length will be two years with the intention of a longer-term arrangement.

How to Apply:

Applications should be submitted via email to gino@naturaljustice.org with ‘Application for position of Programme Manager – Extractives and Infrastructure, Climate Change – Kenya’ in the subject line

Applications must include:

  1. A motivation letter that indicates: a) why you are interested in this position and what inspires you about environmental justice; and b) aspects of your background that demonstrate the required competence for this role;
  2. A detailed CV with three references; and
  3. Two samples of your past written work (for example, articles or research reports).

Please ensure that your application as a whole speaks to the required qualifications, experience, personal profile and key roles and responsibilities. Please do not apply if you do not meet the required experience. Please do not apply if you do not meet the required experience.

The position remains open until filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Key roles and Responsibilities – Programme Manager, Extractives and Infrastructure and Climate Change

1. Strategic planning and project implementation

  • Work with the hub director and programme directors to further develop, maximise the impact of and expand the programmes in Kenya
  • Assist in the development of the programmes’ strategies, and manage the planning and implementation of programmes’ projects in Kenya, including deliverables, timelines and budgeting

2. Technical Advice

  • Provide technical and legal advice to partners, affected communities and other relevant stakeholders
  • Provide comments and training on environmental impact assessments, climate change assessments and other relevant permitting processes
  • Responding to inquiries of partners or relevant stakeholders
  • Support the litigation of relevant cases
  • Deliver presentations, organize and conduct workshops/meetings

3. Policy and Legal Reform

  • Identify and engage with key policy issues and key collaborators
  • Provide comments and make submissions on relevant law and policy

4. Legal Empowerment

  • Oversee the paralegal projects and provide direct advice and assistance
  • Develop and deliver community trainings on laws and legal empowerment methodologies
  • Develop, improve and implement legal empowerment approaches

5. Research

  • Develop research assignments with the programme directors or hub director and researcher
  • Assist the research officer to conduct desktop and field research
  • Write research reports, concept documents, academic papers, organisational reports.
  • Share research findings with stakeholders and at relevant national and international fora

6. Partnerships and Networks

  • Identify, build and maintain networks and/or partnerships with relevant stakeholders from government, civil society groups, the private sector and academics

7. Finance and Administration

  • Manage the financial, administrative and procurement processes of the projects within the programme

8. Oversight and Fundraising

  • Provide oversight and support to programme officers and paralegals in relation to programme activities and deliverables
  • Assist the country and/or programme directors to identify funding sources, prepare grant applications, report to, develop and manage relationships with funders

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and experience required:

  • Bachelor of laws with at least 5 years of demonstrated work expertise in environmental law, including natural resource and/or land law, and administrative law
  • A post graduate degree in law, political science or other relevant social science discipline is desirable
  • Understanding of, and proficiency in, the Kenyan legal system and institutional arrangements.
  • Experience in conducting field work and working with marginalized communities
  • Experience communicating complex legal issues in an accessible way to communities
  • Experience relating research or project experiences to policy advocacy
  • Experience with conducting primary and/or desktop research and preparing clear and analytical reports (with proof of published work)
  • Experience writing applications and reporting to donors
  • Programme management experience, including budgeting, project planning, contract drafting, monitoring and evaluation
  • Experience in managing and supervising teams
  • An understanding of and experience in the socio-political and civil society work in the country
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Fluency in English and Kiswahili
  • Citizen or permanent resident of Kenya

Personal Profile:

  • Demonstrated experience advocating for environmental justice
  • Highly motivated, pro-active individual able to work under minimal supervision
  • Ability to prioritize, act on initiative and meet deadlines
  • Ability to think critically and problem solve
  • Reliability and attention to detail
  • Ability to travel frequently
  • Ability to work with 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.

Closing Date

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