Mid-level Qualified Lawyer - Marine and Fisheries

Marine and Fisheries Lawyers – London/Brussels

ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law, science and policy organisation with offices in London, Brussels, Paris and Warsaw. We provide dedicated public-interest legal capacity, working with environmental NGOs and other stakeholders 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. Our work is based on the development and execution of clear strategies and productive partnerships to ensure our actions to protect the human right to a clean and healthy environment have maximum impact.

We have three exciting and challenging opportunities for:

• two mid-level lawyer (3-7 years PQE)
• one senior lawyer (8+ years PQE)

to join our Oceans team in London and Brussels working on fisheries and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Project Description: Common Fisheries Policy Reform

72% of assessed European fish stocks are at unsustainable levels, compared to a global average of 32%. Numerous stocks are neither assessed nor managed. There is a common consensus amongst most stakeholders and decision-makers that the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is in need of fundamental and radical reform in next year’s reform of the CFP.

ClientEarth’s Oceans Programme is working towards just such a reform. We are pushing for fisheries management that will deliver more and more sustainability in the short term, and ecosystems based fisheries management in the long term. To achieve this we need to introduce fundamental structural reform in the new rules, which guarantee that certain necessary conditions are met to allow ecosystems based fisheries management to develop. We have also developed a model for ecosystems based fisheries management system (the Fishing Credits System or FCS), which we expect to be usable as part of the toolkit for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy at a regional level.

In its work on the Common Fisheries Policy, ClientEarth works with a wide range of stakeholders, including the European Commission, Member State governments, Parliamentarians, the fishing industry, retailers and NGOs.

Job specification

We are now recruiting three new team members in Brussels and London to help us achieve both our immediate and our long-term goals for reformed fisheries management in the EU.

Mid-level qualified lawyer position in Brussels (4-7 years PQE)

The mid-level lawyer in Brussels will play a key role contributing to the success of our fisheries team and develop our work on CFP reform and the FCS. The role provides considerable scope for initiative and developing strategies and ideas within a team to secure sustainable and ecosystems based fisheries in the EU in the long term. The lawyer will also support the efforts of team members working on CFP reform, as necessary. The candidate should be a good communicator to both internal and external audiences, be able to influence, convince and collaborate, be able to identify issues and opportunities, to develop creative strategies, sound legal and technical expertise and analysis. This is a position that requires strong advocacy and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications:

• Law degree with relevant experience in advocacy or campaign work

(4-7 years PQE);

• Knowledgeable in one or more of the following areas: EU law and institutions, fisheries/marine law, environmental law
• Fluent in English and French – other languages desirable;
• Ability to travel, as necessary, to European cities
• Confidence working at a high level with legislators, policy makers, and NGO partners, as well as other stakeholders including industry and retailers;
• Excellent judgment, flexibility, humour, diplomacy, and optimism.

Skills:

• 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;
• Strong legal research, analytical, and advocacy skills and an interest in performing rigorous legal analysis in support of impactful work;
• Ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience in a fast-paced work environment;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to work confidently with limited supervision;
• Team player and strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to grasp quickly and accurately new and complex concepts and areas of law;
• Ability to balance priorities and co-ordinate work effectively with colleagues;
• Energetic and dedicated to working for the environment and fishing communities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Interfacing with European Commission officials, representatives from Member States, Members of the European Parliament, NGO partners, and other stakeholders on CFP reform and the FCS
• Developing legal briefings, policy analysis, campaign materials, publications, press releases, and other relevant materials;
• Engaging with the media and journalists;
• Monitoring and reporting on the progress of campaign activities;
• Participating in policy advocacy, as necessary, under the supervision of senior lawyers;
• Preparing reports to donors; and
• Supporting the activities of other lawyers within the Oceans programme.

The position will be based in Brussels, with travel to London and Europe generally.

This is a two-year term with the potential for extension. Salary will be commensurate with the requirements of the role, the candidate’s experience, and the non profit sector. The position is available starting June 2011.

To apply

Please send us a CV and a cover letter, explaining your interest in joining ClientEarth and the contribution you believe you could make to the organisation. Please address your application to James Thornton, Chief Executive, ClientEarth, The Hothouse, 274 Richmond road, London E8 3QW and send it by mail to info@clientearth.org. Please include ‘ Marine & Fisheries Lawyer’ in the email subject line, and identify the documents you are sending by including ‘[your name cover letter’ and ‘[your name] CV’ in the file name.

Recruitment is open now and you should send your application as soon as possible. Applications are scheduled to close on 30 April 2011. We will review applications as they are received and we may interview candidates before the closing date.

If you have any questions about the roles advertised or recruitment process, please contact Sandy Luk, Senior Lawyer, Head of Biodiversity (sluk@clientearth.org) or Rob Ryan, Director of Development (rryan@clientearth.org).