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The Fisheries Lawyer will be an integral member of the Biodiversity team. The new team member will support the head of programme and the rest of the team in work on programme strategy, directing and producing analysis, research and legal drafting to underpin our advocacy. He or she will carry out advocacy in government and EU institutions and collaborate closely with other partners and stakeholders.
The role provides considerable scope for initiative and developing ideas within a team to secure sustainable and ecosystem based fisheries in the EU in the long term, with a particular focus on an effective EU system on fisheries control and preventing, deterring, and detecting IUU fishing.
The candidate must be a good communicator to both internal and external audiences, a precise analyst and clear drafter, should have a strong eye for detail, the ability to get to grips quickly with new subjects, have sound legal and technical expertise of EU law and EU fisheries and be a good team worker.
About you
The successful candidate will be a lawyer with 2 – 5 years post qualification experience. You will have an excellent academic record in legal studies (ideally to Masters level) with excellent written and verbal skills in English and, ideally, French. You will be a highly organised, efficient worker able to handle a number of competing priorities. You will also have a demonstrable interest in environmental, marine or fisheries issues. You will have a professional and friendly manner and be able to establish good working relationships within the organisation and externally.
About us
ClientEarth is a public interest environmental law group founded in 2007. We bring together law, science and policy to create practical solutions to key environmental challenges. Working in partnership with civil society and policymakers, ClientEarth is committed to securing the rights of citizens and civil society to participation, information and justice in environmental matters. In Europe and beyond, ClientEarth’s 75 strong staff includes legal experts qualified in more than nine jurisdictions based in offices in London, Brussels and Warsaw. Our programmes cover biodiversity and ecosystems, climate and energy, health and environment and access to justice.
Job description
The Fisheries Lawyer will work primarily on the implementation and possible review of the EU frameworks for fisheries control and for tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as on the implementation of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In addition, he or she will be expected to support other areas of the biodiversity team’s work at an EU level if necessary.
Programme overview
The Biodiversity Programme aims to defend the interests of nature and the right of all people to a healthy natural environment by working on projects related to fisheries (working towards sustainable fisheries management), wildlife (defending species and habitats and ensuring sustainable land use) and water (protecting clean fresh water and healthy oceans).
Until last year the programme focused primarily on marine biodiversity because healthy oceans are essential for the functioning of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Now we are building on the expertise we have developed to improve wildlife protection both in the oceans and on land. We are actively working to ensure the robust interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the EU conservation and fisheries legislation and to improve EU biodiversity law and policy.
Project overview
Overfishing continues to be the most immediate and significant threat in EU waters. IUU fishing depletes fish stocks and is a serious threat to the sustainability of fisheries and marine ecosystems, as well as distorting competition and having other negative social and economic consequences. These problems are compounded by difficulties in relation to monitoring, control and enforcement of fishing rules in the marine environment. The reformed CFP is a positive step forward, which depends heavily on strong implementation, good compliance and a robust enforcement regime.
We will work to monitor the implementation of the CFP and of the EU systems on fisheries control and IUU fishing, and to defend against any weakening of relevant legislation. We will also provide conservation organisations and citizens with access to legal advice and information to help them address issues surrounding non-compliance with EU law on fisheries.
Working relationships
The position will be line-managed by the Head of the Biodiversity Programme and/or by another member of the fisheries team. The Fisheries Lawyer will also work closely with other members of the biodiversity team in London, Warsaw and Brussels.
Job Responsibilities
The Fisheries Lawyer will:
- Develop legal briefings, legislative amendments, research notes, policy analysis, publications, press releases, presentations and other relevant materials
- Work closely with and provide support to the Head of the Biodiversity Programme and other members of the biodiversity team, including in relation to other areas of the biodiversity programme
- Attend external meetings with politicians, government advisers and NGO and other partners
- Conduct policy advocacy under the supervision of the Head of Programme and/or another member of the Biodiversity Programme
- Organise and participate in team meetings and knowledge sharing
- Prepare funding proposals and reports to donors
This list is not exhaustive and the selected candidate will be required to undertake other relevant tasks.
Experience and knowledge
The successful candidate will have:
- Law degree, ideally to Masters level
- 2 - 5 years post qualification experience, with relevant experience in environmental, marine, and/or fisheries law
- Knowledge of EU law and institutions
- Fluent English and, ideally, French – other European languages desirable
- An interest in environmental issues, especially biodiversity and conservation issues
- Ideally, familiarity with comparative legal analysis to enable easy access to laws and legal traditions in different countries
Competencies and skills
- Demonstrated ability to explain complex legal issues in lay language and ability to modify language, content, and style to address the needs of different audiences
- Excellent legal drafting skills
- Strong legal research, analytical, and advocacy skills and an interest in performing rigorous legal analysis in support of impactful work
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, with ability to foster positive working relationships with diverse internal and external individuals
- Ability to work creatively and collaboratively within a team but also to execute work independently and to work confidently with limited supervision
- Ability to grasp quickly and accurately new and complex concepts as well as scientific, technical and policy issues, and new areas of law
- Ability to identify and manage priorities and to co-ordinate effectively with colleagues
- Excellent organisational skills and efficient management of multiple tasks and priorities; able to work well under pressure
- Reliable and understands the importance of meeting deadlines
- Energetic and dedicated to working for the environment and fishing communities
Location
This position is based ideally in Brussels, London also considered.
This role will require regular travel to ClientEarth offices and occasionally within the rest of the EU.
Salary
The salary bracket for this role is dependent on experience.
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 make sure you demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria and competencies of the role.
Please include ‘Fisheries Lawyer’ in the email subject line and identify the documents you are sending by including ‘[your name] Fisheries Lawyer - cover letter’ and ‘[your name] Fisheries Lawyer - CV’ in the file name.
Please address your application to:
Sandy Luk, Head of Biodiversity Programme
ClientEarth, Fieldworks, 274 Richmond Road,
London E8 3QW, United Kingdom
or 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 16 August 2015.
Interviews are intended to take place in the week commencing 31 August 2015.
Please note that ClientEarth will only consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the country where this post is based.
If you have any questions about the roles advertised or recruitment process, please contact Patricia Del Rio ( pdelrio@clientearth.org)
Please do not contact us to enquire about the outcome of your application. All candidates will be contacted once applications have been reviewed.
Equal Opportunities
ClientEarth aims to be an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment.
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