Call for Research Volunteers in East Africa

  • June 22, 2018

The Supporting Inclusive Resource Development in East Africa (SIRD) project is looking to fill three volunteer research positions for recent law graduates / junior lawyers to support our work in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda. SIRD is a five year project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, and implemented by the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) in partnership with the Law Society of Kenya, Tanganyika Law Society, Uganda Law Society and East African Law Society. The project aims to increase economic growth for East Africans, in particular women and vulnerable groups, affected by extractive industries, through:

  1. Increased engagement of East African law societies to advocate for law reform to reflect the principles of transparency, gender sensitivity and accountability in the extractive industries;
  2. Increased community participation, particularly women, in consultations, dialogue, negotiations, advocacy and other initiatives to advance their rights related to the extractive industries.

Responsibilities

Researchers will contribute to a comprehensive review of legal frameworks governing the natural resource sector in Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda, to identify areas of reform for increased transparency, gender sensitivity and accountability in the sector.

Location & Duration

Researchers will be based in Nairobi-Kenya, Dar es Salaam-Tanzania or Kampala-Uganda for a period of four weeks. (Starting in September, 2018)

Compensation

Researchers will receive a stipend to cover living and incidental expenses. Return airfare from Canada to country of placement will be covered by SIRD.

Qualifications

Applicants must be law graduates with a J.D or LL.B (obtained in last 6 years).

Fluency in English, with strong research and writing skills is required. The following qualifications are desirable;

  • Work or research experience in natural resource sector (mining, oil & gas);
  • Courses in public international law, international human rights law, natural resource law, aboriginal law or environmental law;
  • Experience conducting international comparative legal research;
  • Experience in collaborative initiatives and working with varied stakeholders including government institutions, civil society organizations and lawyers;
  • Demonstrated experience working in a cross-cultural environment;
  • International development experience, especially in East Africa.

To Apply

Please submit your letter of interest, CV and a writing sample of your research (max 10 pages) to cbaidp@CBA.org by July 8, 2018.