Climate & Environmental Justice Advocate
Kituo Cha Sheria
Nairobi, Kenya
Closing Date:
Friday, 14 August 2026
Open
About the African Climate Legal Fellowship Program
This role is part of the African Climate Legal Fellowship Program, an 18-month program designed to build capacity at African public interest law organizations, further strategic climate and environmental legal action, and bring new attorneys to the public interest sector.
Now entering its second cohort, the Fellowship places participants (“Fellows”) in climate and environmental legal organizations in Africa (“Host Organizations”) for a fulltime, 18-month placement to advance strategic legal action, therefore helping organizations achieve their critical missions.
Fellows join a cohort-based learning journey that includes:
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Tailored climate, legal and leadership development modules
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Professional coaching and support
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Peer learning and community exchange
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Access to professional networks in climate and environmental law
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Launch convening (in-person in an African location)
About the Organisation
Kituo Cha Sheria – Legal Advice Centre (“Kituo”) is Kenya's oldest and most experienced legal aid and human rights organisation, established in 1973. Kituo's vision is a just and equitable society, and its mission is to empower poor and marginalised people to effectively access justice and enjoy their rights through advocacy, networking, legal aid, education, representation, and research.
Kituo works through four departments – the Legal Aid and Empowerment Department, the Social Justice Department, the Migration Justice and Governance Department, and the Institutional Strengthening Department – reaching thousands of clients directly and millions indirectly each year through legal aid clinics, community justice centres, and public interest litigation, including landmark environmental and climate cases.
About the Job
Kituo Cha Sheria seeks an advocate to join its team as the Climate & Environmental Justice Advocate, under the Social Justice Department. The successful candidate will provide legal support to communities affected by extractive industries, infrastructure development, and climate change, strengthening Kituo's strategic environmental and climate litigation and advocacy work. They will work and collaborate with a passionate team of staff, including finance, communications, monitoring and evaluation and research staff.
The Advocate must have an interest in environmental and climate justice, community legal empowerment, and public interest litigation. They will be expected to foster long-term, committed relationships with communities, build connections to community partners and work in consortiums and partnerships with other civil society organisations.
Their knowledge and experience should include a strong background in litigation and legal practice, with a keen interest in developing expertise in environmental and climate law.
Key Responsibilities
Provide high quality legal advice and support to communities Kituo Cha Sheria works with and its partners.
Initiate and play a lead role in environmental and climate litigation cases across Kituo Cha Sheria.
Undertake legal research, lead fact-finding missions, write submissions and provide opinions on environmental and climate justice issues.
In collaboration with other staff, provide support to community environmental legal officers (incl. training, developing and implementing reporting and management structures), especially towards developing climate litigation.
Support the work of Kituo Cha Sheria in relation to research and submissions on law and policy.
Write opinion articles on the outcomes of the programmatic work.
Participate in public advocacy initiatives in support of stakeholder engagement around climate litigation.
Contribute to the overall programme and strategy.
Form and maintain good working relationships with all key partners including communities, government entities and development partners.
Requirements
Completed legal qualification and admission as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya (or equivalent jurisdiction, where applicable).
A current practising certificate.
At least five (5) years' post-admission experience in a legal environment. No prior experience in the CSO sector is required.
A post-graduate degree in law, political science or other relevant natural or social science discipline is desirable.
Experience in litigation, including appellate and/or high court litigation.
Conviction in and commitment to community rights, constitutionalism and principles of environmental justice.
Interest in public interest, human rights and/or environmental litigation. Some experience in public interest, human rights and/or environmental litigation would be advantageous but is not required.
Strong legal research and analysis skills in law, policy and social issues.
Sound written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Ability to grasp quickly and accurately new and complex concepts.
Ability to work under pressure and effectively both as part of a team and independently, as called for.
Ability to balance priorities and co-ordinate work effectively in order to meet deadlines and deal with high workloads.
Sound emotional intelligence skills to enable interaction with persons from all sectors of society. Experience of working with marginalised communities and/or Indigenous communities will be advantageous.
Proficient in English and Kiswahili.
To apply
To apply, send your CV and AA bio form to callum@actionappointments.co.za by Friday 14th August. Further submission instructions will be shared with candidates during the process.
