Lawyer

Lawyer

Contract: 18 month fixed term contract

Location: Belfast

Northern Ireland’s environment needs a brilliant lawyer.

Friends of the Earth is the leading environmental campaigning organisation in Northern Ireland. We support and encourage grassroots action and advocate for transformational change for people, climate and nature. We are active in protecting communities against damaging extractive industries, industrial farming and environmental crime. We're supporting the shift towards a more resilient and democratic Northern Ireland through our vision and place-making work

You'll be joining a dynamic team at a pivotal time in terms of the impacts of Brexit on the environment, the ongoing problems of environmental governance and the urgent need to reverse the decline in ecosystems.

The capacity for expert legal analysis, managing complex cases and strategic legal thinking are crucial for a role that is unique in Northern Ireland.

You will be an experienced and highly motivated lawyer who wants to help drive forward the impact of Friends of the Earth in Northern Ireland, and your role will be to strengthen the protections for Northern Ireland’s environment. This may involve strategic litigation, intervening in international legal instruments and supporting other litigants who are taking cases protecting their communities.

You will be as comfortable running surgeries in environmental law for individuals and communities as well as dealing with the judiciary and driving high profile cases.

You'll be scrutinising the impact of Brexit on Northern Irish laws and explore legal options relating to protecting the Irish border.

A strong background and interest in public law is necessary and an ability to work to tight deadlines. You must a person that will embrace the potential of legal strategies to affect change.

A flexible team player with excellent communication skills, you'll be collaborating with the FoE legal team in London and with a wide range of local partners including the media, communities, individuals, academia, the bar and the bench

You'll be able to demonstrate an understanding of the legal context for environmental protection and environmental governance in Northern Ireland, as well as an understanding of Northern Ireland and international environmental law, law making processes and strategies for intervention.

A passion for environmental justice and the rule of law will drive your work.

In return we offer a competitive range of benefits, a good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and a vibrant and friendly organisational culture. 

To apply, download our job description and complete our application form telling us how you meet the essential criteria stated in the person specification and press the apply button below

Diversity and equal opportunities:

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunities employer and we are especially keen to encourage applications from people currently under-represented in the environment movement including: black and minority ethnic people; disabled people; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; and women in senior positions. Do contact us to see how you can become part of the Friends of the Earth team.