Climate & Forests - Lawyer – Brussels

Climate & Forests - Lawyer – Brussels

ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law, science and policy organisation with offices in London, Brussels, and Warsaw. We provide dedicated public-interest legal capacity, working with environmental NGOs and others and acting as legal advocates for environmental objectives. We work at a policy and legislative level to lobby for strong laws and policies that protect the environment, and we pursue litigation that supports our strategic objectives.

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a lawyer to join our Climate & Forests Programme team and advance our work on the drivers of deforestation, with a particular focus on biofuels and biomass. The role provides considerable scope for initiative and to develop strategies creatively, backed up by sound legal, scientific, and technical analysis. This position is available to start as soon as possible in January 2014 and ends on 30 June 2014 with possibilities of extension.

Project Description

ClientEarth’s Climate & Forests Programme seeks to influence the legal framework and content of emerging European and international efforts to protect forests and strengthen forest governance. Among other things, the programme aims to strengthen European Union (EU) efforts to reduce deforestation through regulatory and other measures aimed at commodity markets driving deforestation. In particular, ClientEarth is addressing indirect land-use change impacts of biofuels, growing demand for biomass for bioenergy, threats to sustainable timber procurement policies, and the effective implementation of the EU Timber Regulation. We are also involved in emerging efforts to reduce the forest footprint of other commodities.

In this project ClientEarth will provide legal and strategic advocacy and advice on general EU law, environmental law and campaign activities related to regulatory and other measures aimed at commodity markets driving deforestation, including biofuels and biomass. Among other things, we will be advocating for legally-sound EU policies and laws that do not support unsustainable bioenergy, do not give perverse incentives for wasteful use of wood resources and that positively influence the way that commodities that are linked to deforestation are produced. Further, using the lessons from existing EU and national frameworks we aim to help identify and develop emerging areas of work to reduce the forest footprint of other commodities. 

Responsibilities

The Lawyer will: 

• Interface with European Commission officials, representatives from Member States, Members of the European Parliament, NGO partners, and other stakeholders, particularly on biofuels and biomass issues
• Develop legal briefings, policy analysis, campaign materials, publications, press releases, and other relevant materials, particularly on biofuels and biomass issues
• Engage with the media and journalists, particularly on biofuels and biomass issues
• Monitor and report on the progress of campaign activities
• Participate in litigation, as necessary, under the supervision of senior lawyers
• Prepare reports to donors
• Support the activities of other lawyers within the Climate & Forests programme
• Contribute to the development of the overall Climate & Forest programme strategy and long term planning.
• Participate in relevant stakeholder events, raising awareness and attention to forest issues. 

Working relationships

The Lawyer will work within a team of lawyers and law and policy advisers in the Climate & Forest Programme based in both Brussels and London. The Lawyer will work closely with and report to a supervising Lawyer (based in London). The lawyer will also have key relationships with colleagues in other programmes within ClientEarth and in the development and communications teams. 

Qualifications 

• Law degree
• Fluent in English – other languages desirable
• Excellent knowledge of general EU law (essential), environmental and energy policies, and procedures of the main EU institutions  and knowledge of one or more of the following areas: international human rights law, forest law, community rights law, customary law, public and administrative law, legal reform processes, development and application of procedural rights, comparative legal systems, governance and civil society (desirable) 

Experience 

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience
• Confidence working at a high level with legislators, policy makers, and NGO partners
• Good knowledge of the biofuels and/or biomass energy sectors (desirable)
• Proven familiarity with the Brussels lobbying scene and a sound lobbying record (desirable) 

Skills

• Strong legal research, analytical, and advocacy skills and an interest in performing rigorous legal analysis in support of impactful work
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including proven ability to explain complex legal issues in lay language and ability to modify language, content and style to address the needs of different audiences
• Ability to represent ClientEarth confidently in a range of forums
• Excellent creative, critical and lateral thinking and analytical skills and ability to grasp quickly new concepts and areas of law, with an openness to learning and new ideas
• Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative manner, in a fast-paced work environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of developing effective working relationships with partner organisations
• Excellent judgment, flexibility, humour, diplomacy, and optimism
• Energetic and dedicated to working for the environment, motivated to achieve results and ability to spot and take advantage of opportunities to achieve change 

The position will be based in Brussels, but may involve occasional travel within Europe. 

Salary: €36,000-40,000 gross per year (pro-rata) depending on experience and is commensurate with the requirements of the role and the non-for-profit sector.

This position is available to start as soon as possible in January 2014 and ends on 30 June 2014 with possibilities of extension.

To apply

Please send us your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in joining ClientEarth and the contribution you believe you could make to the organisation.

Please include ‘Climate and Forest Lawyer’ in the email subject line, and identify the documents you are sending by including ‘[your name] Climate and Forest Lawyer’ cover letter’ and ‘[your name] CV’ in the file name.

Please address your application to Karla Hill, Director, Programmes, ClientEarth, The Hothouse, 274 Richmond Road, London E8 3QW and send it by email to jobs@clientearth.org.

Recruitment is open now and you should send your application as soon as possible. Applications close on Monday 6 January. We will interview candidates on a rolling basis, and we may close the recruitment if we select a suitable candidate before the closing date.

Please note that ClientEarth will only consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the EU.

If you have any questions about the roles advertised or recruitment process, please contact Patricia del Rio (pdelrio@clientearth.org).