CER Graduate Internships 2023

The Centre for Environmental Rights is calling for applications for an internship with a special focus on engagements with our community partners. We are looking for a bright and enthusiastic candidate who has a special interest and passion for environmental and climate justice and is able to work closely and engage with your various community partners.

CER is committed to diversity, inclusion, and transformation and strives to reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural, sex, and gender diversity within its staff complement. Candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply for this post and will be preferred.

Qualifications, skills, and experience

• A proven record of activism in the environmental and climate justice sector, or in any other social justice sector;
• A matriculant, or with some vocational training will be helpful but not required
• An understanding of how activism contributes to social and environmental justice and is committed to promoting and defending the role of community organizations and activists in realizing [environmental] justice.
• Familiarity with the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Outlook & calendars, and virtual applications like MS Teams, Zoom, Google docs, etc.
• A positive demeanor, professionalism, and a “can do” attitude
• Punctual and very good with time management
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Highly focused and organized, trustworthy, is able to multi-task
• Can work independently but also can work in collaboration with team members

Key Responsibilities

• To provide general administrative and logistical support and assistance primarily to the Mining & Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa (MEJCON-SA) but also to other community partners the CER maybe engaged with from time to time
• Organizing various events for the MEJCON-SA and other community partners in general such as workshops, training, and conferences, booking for the venue, catering, speakers, interpreters, dissemination of materials, minute taking, assisting follow-up action items, etc.
• Coordinating communication and information sharing between the various MEJCON-SA regions across South Africa
• Assisting with inquiries and requests received from MEJCON-SA members and other community partners
• Assisting with planning and fundraising for MEJCON-SA events and projects
• Assisting in the upkeep of the MEJCON-SA websites and social media pages
• Assisting or liaising with travel bookings, accommodation, transport, etc.
• Providing onsite administrative support during meetings, workshops, training, etc.
• Providing limited bookkeeping support to ensure compliance with the Centre’s financial policies;
• Willing and able to travel on occasion to support the various events and activities of MEJCON-SA and CER

Salary

The salary for the position is R 144 000 (total cost to the company). This is a one-year fixed-term position.

Working for the CER

The Centre for Environmental Rights is a non-profit organization and law clinic of activist lawyers who work with communities and civil society organizations in South Africa to realize our Constitutional right to a healthy environment by advocating and litigating for environmental justice. We seek a just, equitable, compassionate society that is resilient, celebrates diversity, and respects the interdependence between people and the environment.

As South Africa’s largest public interest environmental law organization, we use our expertise and commitment to fight for environmental justice and advance the right to a healthy environment for all. We take on the big environmental battles: cases in which we can empower local communities, have an enduring impact, set powerful precedents for other cases, and help improve policy and practice across the country.

Winning the legal case is only part of the battle. CER’s litigation work is strengthened by local training and empowerment, dedicated policy and advocacy work, and strategic communications. In all of our work, we work closely with partners in affected communities, with other civil society organizations in the environmental and social justice sector, and with other public interest law organizations.

We work across the following core themes: Mining, Water, Pollution and Climate Change, Corporate Accountability & Transparency, and Activist Support & Training. We have our main office in Observatory, Cape Town, with a smaller office in Johannesburg.

At CER, we value our staff and regard their well-being as a priority. We are committed to a work environment that is inclusive and empathetic, and in which diversity is celebrated and supported.

How to Apply

Please send the following documents to: recruitment@cer.org.za with the email subject line: “Ref: 12/2022 CER Internship 2023, your name”

• A cover letter setting out your skills and relevant experience, and motivating why you want to be considered for the position;
• Your CV; and
• Two recent written references are not less than 6 months old.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The CER reserves the right not to appoint should there be no suitable candidate.