Equal Education Law Centre: Candidate Attorney Position

Opportunity closing date:  31 October 2024

Opportunity type:  2-year full-time contract

Location:  Khayelitsha, Cape Town

The  EELC is a registered law clinic whose staff of social justice lawyers specializes in education law and policy, through conducting public interest litigation, legal research and advocacy, and community lawyering, to advance the right to equitable, safe, and quality basic education in SA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in strategic litigation cases. This includes conducting legal research, as well as writing, sorting, filing and paginating pleadings, briefs, legal opinions, and other court documents, and attending court and other hearings;

• Attend to, consult with and assist clients who attend EELC’s daily walk-in clinic

• Liaise with clients, counsel, and partner organizations

• Conduct research in support of advocacy and litigation activities

• Assist in the drafting of research reports

• Provide input into and assist with drafting submissions on laws and legislative reform

• Assist with community engagement programmes

• Represent EELC in civil society and public forums

• Generally, support EELC’s attorneys and the effective operation of the Centre’s programmes.

Qualification, skills, and experience:

• An LLB degree (completed by January 2025)

• A demonstrated interest in human rights work and social justice

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

• Analytical skills, good presentation skills, and attention to detail

• Proficiency in other South African languages will be an advantage

• Computer literacy and excellent legal research skills.

How to apply

Please send the following documents to info@eelawcentre.org.za with the subject “Candidate Attorney 2025 application”.

• A covering letter detailing your interest in human rights, social justice, and the work of the EELC, and motivating why you have the necessary motivation, qualifications, skills and experience for this position.

• A detailed CV that includes the details of two (2) contactable references.

Please do not submit any other documents. Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide any further documents as may be required.

Please note that we are looking for candidates who wish to pursue a career in social justice, rather than just securing articles.

Individuals from previously and currently disadvantaged groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have not been contacted by 15 November 2024, please consider your application to have been unsuccessful.

For more about the Equal Education Law Centre, refer to www.eelawcentre.org.za