Legal & Policy Associate
RAID
Africa, Remote
Closing Date:
Monday, 10 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
RAID is an innovative NGO that advances climate justice and corporate accountability across Africa through legal action, research and advocacy that expose and challenge corporate abuse, environmental harm and human rights violations. We partner with local communities and victims to hold companies to account in Africa or the global North.
Our primary focus is the environmental and human rights costs of the clean-energy transition and the rapid expansion of critical mineral mining on the African continent. We combine forensic corporate investigation with strategic litigation and community-driven advocacy, working alongside frontline communities and African legal, civil society and academic partners to hold the world's largest mining, battery and energy companies to account.
About the Job
RAID has an exciting opportunity for a Legal and Policy Associate to join the team. This role is part of the African Climate Legal Fellowship Program, an 18-month program designed to integrate mid-career lawyers into the environment and climate justice public interest sector across Africa, seeking to build capacity at African public interest law organizations, further strategic climate and environmental legal action, and bring new lawyers to the public interest sector.
This post is at the heart of our collaborative team and offers opportunities to undertake legal research, contribute to fieldwork, collaborate with leading law firms working on climate justice and corporate accountability, and participate in legal and policy forums. This is a unique opportunity for lawyers considering a move into public interest practice to become actively involved in ground-breaking litigation aimed at holding corporations to account for environmental damage and human rights harms.
In addition to the work at RAID, the Legal and Policy Associate will also take part in a structured fellowship programme designed to support longer-term careers in the public interest sector.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct research and monitoring on climate justice, environmental and human rights harms relating to RAID’s work.
Provide legal analysis on cases and situations that RAID is undertaking and work closely with outside legal counsel in Africa or the Global North to support case development.
Prepare and conduct field investigations, specifically on information gathering, analysis and assessment of relevant climate justice and human rights concerns expressed by stakeholders on the ground, including conducting interviews with witnesses, victims and whistleblowers, collecting data and evidence, and managing small teams of local activists and civil society members.
Research and write complaints using soft law options such as to the United Nations, international or government bodies, regulatory agencies, company or industry grievance mechanisms and similar soft law complaints mechanisms.
Write or contribute to the drafting and publicization of compelling reports, briefings and position papers, letters, public consultations or similar.
Collect and analyse information from a wide variety of sources including governments, lawyers, corporate documents, financial statements, academia, and others.
Provide assistance on advocacy and assist in the development and implementation of strategies to change laws, policies, and practices.
Provide assistance to advance and support our communications and social media work.
Work closely with international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights organizations to ensure RAID’s work complements and enhances their work without jeopardizing their security.
Participate, support and assist international and local civil society and expert coalitions, including coordinate and liaise with different actors.
Travel internationally, including within Africa, as required.
Requirements
Legal Experience & Technical Expertise
Qualified lawyer with at least four years' post-qualification experience.
Experience in a law firm or in-house legal department.
Background in corporate, commercial, civil, mining, employment law, or a related field.
Strong legal knowledge and transferable experience.
Experience drafting legal briefs.
Strong analytical, research and strategic planning skills.
Climate Justice & Public Interest Commitment
Strong interest in climate justice, climate change, environmental issues, and business and human rights in sub-Saharan Africa.
Motivation to transition into climate justice work.
Interest in public interest issues and/or lived experience of the impacts of corporate power.
Potential to become an effective climate justice advocate.
Research, Fieldwork & Communication
Strong research and writing skills in English.
Ability and willingness to undertake field research.
Ability to learn quickly and grow within the role.
Languages, Regional Experience & Qualifications
Fluent in both French and English (essential).
Legal experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo is highly advantageous.
Advanced degree in social sciences or a related field (desirable).
Personal Attributes & Ways of Working
Enthusiastic, self-motivated and proactive.
Good judgement, empathy and sensitivity towards affected communities.
Able to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a team.
To apply
To apply, send your CV and AA bio form to callum@actionappointments.co.za by Monday 10th August. Further submission instructions will be shared with candidates during the process.
