Natural Justice is Seeking Volunteer Interns in New York

Natural Justice: Lawyers for Communities and the Environment is an international team of lawyers and legal experts. We engage with environmental, human rights and cultural heritage law to support Indigenous peoples and local communities, and provide technical advice to governments and intergovernmental organisations to secure environmental and social justice. Natural Justice currently works in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and has offices in South Africa, Malaysia, and India. In order to facilitate its work in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, Natural Justice is setting up a new office in New York City.

In the medium term, the New York office will have three core functions. First, it will aim to feed the experiences of Natural Justice's community work in Africa, Asia and Latin America into relevant UN and other North America-based intergovernmental and other processes. Second, it will function as the regional hub for our emerging work in the Americas. Third, it aims to become engaged in fundraising and outreach for the broader Natural Justice network.

Natural Justice is currently looking for volunteer interns to support the functions of the newly emerging New York office. Specific tasks will include: supporting Natural Justice in assisting Indigenous peoples and local communities, community-based organizations and NGOs in the Americas; supporting the development, adaptation and translation of legal empowerment materials; researching and following up with fundraising opportunities; participating in and providing technical input into New York-based processes such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; and supporting the administrative and logistical aspects of setting up a Natural Justice office in New York.

The following attributes and skills are considered beneficial: 

• A desire to be part of setting up something new in New York and to face the challenges that come with it;
• A keen interest in advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples and tribal and traditional communities to govern their territories, waters and natural resources;
• A law degree, being currently enrolled in law school or having significant qualifications or expertise in human rights, environment and/or land law and related institutional arrangements; 
• Experience working with communities and/or civil society organizations on related issues; 
• Analytical skills coupled with an ability to, on the one hand, engage with government agencies and, on the other, organize local meetings and present otherwise complex issues in a simplified yet comprehensive manner; 
• Fluency in Spanish with the ability to engage in research, draft reports and legal documents; and
• A willingness to meet regularly and work from home. 

Natural Justice is a close knit and nurturing collective that places a high premium in facilitating opportunities for the professional and personal growth of its staff and volunteers. We will offer the individual a chance to work with a passionate and highly professional global team and gain valuable international experience. 

If this is of interest to you, please send an email to Johanna(at)naturaljustice.org, including a CV and letter of interest.