We are hiring: Senior Attorney

Closing date: 30 September 2025

The Biodiversity Law Centre

The Biodiversity Law Centre is a public interest law NGO that was established to use law to protect and restore indigenous species and ecosystems in Southern Africa. The Centre has been at the forefront of conservation issues for the last three years since its establishment, working with conservation NGOs and communities to protect South Africa’s rich biodiversity. This has included securing a landmark settlement to protect African Penguins, working to protect Verlorenvlei, a Ramsar wetland and important bird area, as well as advocating for the development and implementation of biodiversity law and policy that is consistent with the Constitution and international biodiversity obligations.

We are looking for a senior attorney to join our growing team in our Cape Town office. This exciting position is for an admitted attorney with at least five (5) years’ litigation and legal advocacy experience who is comfortable leading and supervising a team of junior attorneys and playing an integral role in the execution of the Centre’s strategy. The successful candidate will have a particular interest in using the law to protect and restore biodiversity within Southern Africa; human rights and environmental justice; and advising and supporting other NGOs and community-based organisations seeking to protect biodiversity. This role is ideal for an individual who is eager to be part of a young and growing start-up organisation, and who is willing to undertake a diverse range of tasks to support the Executive Director in striving to implement the Centre’s mission and vision.

We strongly encourage applications from applicants of diverse backgrounds who represent the demographics of South Africa.

Qualifications, skills and experience

  • An LLB or equivalent qualification. An LLM, particularly in administrative or environmental law, would be an advantage.
  • Admission as attorney of the High Court of South Africa, and at least five (5) years’ post-qualification experience, including experience in High Court litigation, particularly constitutional and administrative law, and public interest litigation (experience in environmental litigation would be an advantage).
  • Experience in managing numerous complex litigation matters, providing strategic advice and direction, and overseeing work of junior attorneys.
  • Aptitude for leadership and managerial competence, including least three (3) years’ experience in a management role, including people management and a commitment to the career development of junior attorneys.
  • Excellent legal research skills.
  • Experience in preparing comments on draft policy and legislation.
  • A sound understanding of legal and procedural requirements for environmental decision-making and legal challenges.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Excellent networking skills, and strong capabilities in building support amongst a wide range of stakeholders, partners and networks.
  • A willingness to speak in public in various fora (including, but not limited to, conducting media interviews, presenting at conferences).
  • Exceptional organisational and time management skills, as well as the ability to multitask in a fast-paced work environment.
  • Self-starter, who is able to work independently and under pressure, and who is willing to assist the Executive Director with not just the Centre’s legal work, but other tasks related to development and implementation of the Centre’s strategic work programmes.

Key responsibilities

The lawyer appointed to this position will work closely with the Executive Director and should be prepared to provide support and assistance where necessary. Key responsibilities of this position currently include the following (although we require flexibility from all our staff as our strategic imperatives change and develop over time):

Legal advice and litigation

  • Providing legal advice to and (where necessary) undertaking litigation for conservation NGOs and community-based organisations seeking to protect and restore biodiversity in line with the Centre’s Theory of Change (including research, drafting of correspondence and pleadings, preparing memos, notes and opinions etc.).
  • Manage the Centre’s cases, including overseeing litigation timelines, deliverables, and court processes.
  • Allocate legal work to junior attorneys based on capacity, strengths, and development needs.
  • Ensure timely progress on all active matters and identify any risks or delays.

Advocacy

  • Providing expert input into draft policies and legislation relating to biodiversity.
  • Making submissions in Parliament and in other key forums.

Leadership and supervision

  • Supervise and mentor junior attorneys, providing guidance on legal research, drafting, and litigation.
  • Review and quality-check legal documents and correspondence before review by Executive Director, and subsequent submission or publication.
  • Build junior attorney capacity through informal training, feedback, and performance reviews.

Legal oversight and strategic input

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director on programme development and legal advocacy strategies.

Strategic communications and stakeholder engagement

  • Building the profile of the Centre by participating in communications plans, which include writing editorials and media releases, giving media interviews, presenting at relevant conferences, and organising events / webinars.
  • Represent the Centre in engagements with partners, counsel, public interest allies, and affected communities.
  • Draft or review high-level submissions, legal correspondence, or public advocacy material as needed.

Fundraising and institutional contribution

  • Providing support to the Executive Director in compiling and coordinating grant and funding proposals, as well as participating in achieving, and monitoring steps towards achieving, deliverables as set out in donor agreements.
  • Contribute to the development of internal policies, legal protocols, and knowledge management systems.

Salary

The salary offered will be in the range of R648 000 to R720 000 dependent on factors that include the qualifications, level of expertise, and experience of the successful candidate.

How to apply

Please send the following documents to kate@biodiversitylaw.org with the email subject line: “BLC Senior Attorney Application – Your Name”:

  • A cover letter setting out your skills and relevant experience, as well as why you want to work at the Centre;
  • A copy of your CV;
  • Two recent written references (including contact details) and contact details of the third.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to complete relevant tests or an assignment to demonstrate competency.

CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2025