Position Title: Mekong Bertha Justice Legal Fellow (Paid)

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Reports To: Mekong Policy and Legal Advisor

Start Date: September, 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

EarthRights International is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, which we define as “earth rights.” A key part of who we are organizationally is our three-pronged approach to making change: training of community and legal activists, strategic legal work demanding corporate accountability and in defense of earth rights, and campaigns to promote systemic governmental and corporate policy change. Our work focuses on climate justice, earth rights defenders, and corporate accountability.

Summary Description

Earthlights is now seeking applications for the position of 2022-2024 Mekong Bertha Justice Fellow. This fellowship is supported by the generosity of the Bertha Foundation, whose “Be Just” initiative is intended to “train the next generation of social justice and movement lawyers by funding two-year Fellowships at the best public interest law centers around the world, where emerging lawyers receive practical training from renowned professionals.” The fellowship is geared toward attorneys with less than two years’ experience in public interest law.

The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for an individual with a legal background to research, develop, and implement legal strategies with legal experts and communities to protect human and environmental rights in the region. 

Under the supervision of the Mekong Policy and Legal Advisor, the Fellow will support the work of the Mekong Legal Program to develop and implement legal strategies to protect human rights and the environment in Mekong countries, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. The Fellow’s work will involve a geographical focus on one or more Mekong countries, depending on their background and expertise.

The Fellow will participate in the formulation of national, regional and international legal strategies, community training programs in relation to potential legal actions, legal support for community leaders and civil society partners, in particular alumni of the EarthRights School Mekong and Mekong Legal Advocacy Institute, and partnerships with senior lawyers in the Mekong Legal Network. The Fellow will conduct legal research, writing, develop legal memorandums, policy proposals and workshops in collaboration with other Mekong Legal Program staff, partners, associations and communities. This is a full-time two-year fellowship, potentially beginning in September 2022. Full-time employment with EarthRights should not be expected at the end of the fellowship.

Role and Responsibilities

• Work with client communities, local partners, indigenous federations and staff in the Mekong office to develop and implement legal strategies to protect human rights and the environment.

• Work with Mekong Legal Team to develop and introduce national legal strategies in Thailand or other Mekong Region countries to protect human rights and the environment, especially indigenous Mekong communities.

• Investigate cases in the Mekong Region that fit into the objectives of the organization and which could be the result of litigation.

• Engage with domestic human rights pathways, such as National Human Rights Commissions, and in the formulation of regional and international legal strategies.

• Perform legal research, advocacy, policy proposals, and workshops in collaboration with other NGO, federations and indigenous communities.

• Work with Mekong staff to design and implement strategies to increase the knowledge and capacity of affected communities in the area of indigenous rights, human rights and accountability mechanisms (i.e., via training and workshops).

• Coordinate and participate in community training programs in relation to possible legal actions, and legal support to community/indigenous leaders.

• Coordinate and participate in workshops to train activists and lawyers on indigenous and environmental rights affairs.

Qualifications and Experience

• A legal professional from one of the Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, or Viet Nam), recently graduated from a law program (within the last 5 years), with interest and experience in human rights and environmental issues in the Mekong region.

• Direct work experience with communities and/or indigenous peoples, and/or experience in providing rights training.

• Interest in human and environmental rights, and in indigenous rights affairs in the Mekong region and working on transboundary issues such as business and human rights, dams, mining, coal and land grabs.

• Knowledge or interest in regional legal systems and international legal mechanisms.

• Proficiency or fluency in English is required.

• Skills in writing, research, and communication.

How To Apply

Please visit our website to apply.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer

that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.