Legal Manager, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme

We are looking to recruit an experienced, innovative legal manager for our international Environment and Sustainable Development Programme. The ideal candidate will be a qualified lawyer with deep enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge of how our partners could use the law to achieve environmental justice. A more detailed explanation of our organisational and programme strategy is set out in our 2024-2026 Strategy.

Working as part of a small but dynamic team, you will have the opportunity to learn at close hand what it means to work for an international NGO focusing on how the law can be used to fight corruption and achieve environmental and economic justice. You will develop projects with a range of partners, including international agencies, NGOs, CSOs and governments. You will collaborate with a range of volunteer lawyers (via law firms and barristers chambers) who are leading experts in their field. You will also help nurture, build and maintain relationships with our funders. The role will involve outreach to new partners, programme management, supporting the drafting of fundraising applications and donor reports, tracking impact, as well as evaluating and learning from projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Implement the strategic vision for ILP’s Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) programme, in conjunction with the ESD Programme Director, Legal Fellows, Executive Director, partners, staff and Board;

2. Develop an understanding of the most effective environmental policy tools and legal interventions to deliver the programme’s objectives, through engagement with volunteer lawyers, ILP partners, ILP’s ESD Advisory Committee, staff, Board and others;

3. Support the ESD Programme Director to build and maintain ILP’s Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) programme. This includes:

   • liaising with partners to identify legal/policy needs and offer potential legal and/or policy reform solutions, including through conducting legal analysis;

     identifying and engaging in regular outreach with potential new partners to build the project pipeline;

   • identifying, building and maintaining strong relationships with existing and new highly experienced volunteer lawyers;

   • mapping and developing relationships with regional and international development entities and other technical assistance providers to identify potential partners, needs and focus countries;

   • representing the programme in external fora and events.

4. Support the Programme Director in ensuring effective project delivery and evaluation of impact including:

   • managing and coordinating project implementation through the full project cycle;

   • delivering financial management for assignments including accurate budgeting, forecasting, accounting and reporting;

   • Supporting the development and maintenance of strong programme management and knowledge management systems and processes, including regular updating of ILP’s online internal database (GRID).

5. Support the Programme Director’s fundraising efforts to finance both the programme and organisational overheads, including working closely with the Programme Director to identify opportunities for potential funding with partners, liaise with and nurture donors, design funding applications and create relevant budgets;

6. Deepen ILP’s knowledge and understanding of the situation in developing economies, including engaging in relevant research alongside ILP partners (pro bono lawyers, NGOs, CSOs and others) and sharing findings via written reports and output;

7. Share in the necessary operational and administrative activities of the organisation and contribute to website and social media communications.

Candidate profile:

We are especially interested in candidates with the following skills and experience:

• A qualified lawyer (with at least 2 years’ work experience) with a good understanding of how the law is useful to achieving reform in our key strategic work areas: a) community land rights and biodiversity; b) environmental crime and corruption; c) leveraging fiscal tools for sustainable development; and d) just transition;

• Relevant experience and knowledge relating to environmental law and policy in an international development context;

• Understanding and enthusiasm for the concept and practice of pro bono legal assistance;

• Demonstrable project management skills and experience;

• Ability to develop and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders, including donors, NGOs, civil society organisations and government representatives, on an international basis;

• Experience or demonstrable ability in donor management, including managing and nurturing relationships, meeting donor reporting requirements and raising funds for future projects and activities;

• Excellent research skills, and strong administration and coordination experience;

• Comfortable working independently and proactively on a wide range of tasks simultaneously, as part of a small team with a busy caseload;

• Strong interpersonal and team working skills;

• Very high level of fluency in spoken and written English;

• Working knowledge of another language such as Spanish, French, Portuguese or Swahili (desirable).

• Experience in developing countries and transitional economies (desirable).

Key details about the position

• Travel: candidates must be willing and able to travel internationally 2-5 times per year, including fulfilling vaccination and other requirements.

• Our genuine support for equity, diversity and inclusion is illustrated by our current team.

• Visa sponsorship: we are open to sponsoring a UK visa application for an extraordinary candidate.

Full Job Description Available to view and download here: