A CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

RECRUITMENT OF LEGAL INTERNS

PROJECT: "Learning by Protecting Defenders (LPD)"

Deadline: 31st August 2015

Within the framework of its activities, the Centre for Environment and Development (CED) initiated the project "Learning by Protecting Defenders (LPD)" and is launching the recruitment of young lawyers, newly graduates of Law faculties or in the process of completing their research, in order to assign them to local organizations and/or communities located in areas identified as risk zones under this project for a period of one year, with the possibility of an extension.

Duties and responsibilities

Simply speaking, the young legal interns shall:

• Provide advice and legal expertise to targeted organizations and local communities by providing guidance on legal procedures to be carried out, reminding them their rights and the legality of their action;
• Report to the Regional Coordination of the project cases of violations of the rights of defenders by providing all information and supporting documentation useful for judicial or administrative action when necessary;
• Carry out research required by the Regional Coordination of the project when appropriate;

Profiles and skills

Each applicant shall:

• Be not older than 28 years old;
• Be the holder of a Master’s or equivalent degree in International law, Environmental Law or Human Rights Law obtained within the past three years at most, or in the process of completing a Master degree in the abovementioned fields (the defense should be scheduled latest in October 2015);
• Be able to cope with life far from cities (urban areas) for several months;
• Have a real capacity to adapt to unfamiliar environment and integrate into a different culture.
• Be available;
• Be motivated and committed to learn.

Selection Process

A first selection will be made by the project team in order to shortlist applicants based on the review of their files. Then, shortlisted applicants will be interviewed before a jury and a second group will be selected for training in Yaounde. The training organized and conducted by the project team and experts for a period of one month (intensive and interactive course during the day and individual assignments in the evening) will focus on classroom training and personal reading of selected documents, followed by discussion sessions. It is only after the training programme that the final selection of successful applicants will be made.

Application file

The application file to be submitted shall include the following documents:

• A photocopy of the National Identity Card;
• A handwritten cover letter duly signed;
• A photocopy of the highest diploma or a school attendance certificate for applicants registered in a Master II degree course;
• A copy of the Master or research project thesis for applicants in the process of obtaining the Master’s degree;
• A list of all courses taken during the university curriculum;
• An attestation from the thesis supervisor indicating the progress of the work and the expected date of the defense for applicants in the process of obtaining the Master's degree.

For these positions, CED is looking for a number of English-speaking lawyers and preference will be given to bilingual (English/French) applicants. Under circumstances of equal qualifications, female applicants will be preferred

Application files shall be submitted at CED Head Office, in Yaounde, Etoa-Meki or sent by mail no later than 31 August 2015 (date as per postmark) to:

The Centre for Environment and Development

Project « Learning by Protecting Defenders (LPD) »

P.O. Box: 3430 Yaounde

For additional information, please contact:

Mrs. Mireille Tchiako, Communication Officer

Tel: +237 670 12 73 24

or send an email to the following address: contact@cedcameroun.org