About the Organisation
The Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE) aims to change the systems that are responsible for climate change by ensuring those in power stop locking us into a high-carbon, destructive economy. They are committed to ensuring legal action can facilitate the transition to a post-carbon, regenerative society that upholds human rights and achieves climate justice. In addition to focusing on reducing climate impact, they want to ensure legal action supports a transition to a society that is democratic, cooperative and regenerative.
About the Job
FILE seeks a knowledgeable African lawyer and legal strategist to apply their lived experience and expertise toward achieving FILE’s priorities in Africa. This role requires deep understanding of how African civil society can drive impact on climate, nature, and justice through domestic, regional and global legal strategies.
Working with and reporting to FILE’s Regional Director for its Africa portfolio, the role will include developing and maintaining relationships with FILE’s African partners.
Key Responsibilities
Each of these is conducted in close collaboration with relevant colleagues across the organisation:
Informing and consulting with the ecosystem on climate, nature, and justice priorities in Africa – including sub-objectives on the energy transition; nature, land justice and livelihoods; and climate loss and damage;
Identifying potential new, and supporting existing grantees, shaping grant-making priorities, and stewarding grantees through the grant-making process;
Developing and maintaining external partnerships and networks with partners and practitioners in Africa, and convening meetings of partners to discuss key African priorities.
Key Outcomes
FILE’s strategy for Africa continues to be informed by accurate information and cutting-edge strategic analysis.
FILE colleagues and external partners have a trusted thought partner and collaborator on implementing climate, nature, and justice priorities in Africa.
FILE’s partnerships in Africa are supported and guided with cutting-edge legal strategic expertise.
High quality convening(s) of African civil society and relevant legal practitioners and peers, to catalyse innovation and strengthen connectivity.
An engaged group of funders, ready to deepen their support for our partners’ work in Africa.
Requirements
A sound and in-depth understanding of the operation and resourcing of African legal ecosystems, networks and institutions. While not essential, most likely this will require:
A law degree from an African university. A post-graduate qualification in law or another relevant discipline would be beneficial, but is not essential; and
Meaningful post-qualification experience – in legal practice as attorney or advocate in an African country, or in legal practice as attorney or advocate in an African country as well as relevant work (for example in an African public interest law organisation). Some experience in grantmaking or grant management would be beneficial but is not essential.
A strong, demonstrable commitment to environmental and climate justice, protecting the environment, reforming environmental, corporate and financial governance to deliver climate justice, and prioritising the rights of communities most affected by climate change and environmental harms.
A sound knowledge of the Constitutional and statutory framework for environmental and climate governance in at least one African country, with some knowledge of other African legal systems.
Experience of and expertise in developing and/or delivering legal and litigation strategies on climate, environmental, and/or human rights grounds that respond to the needs of affected communities. Experience in litigating in one of Africa’s regional courts would be beneficial, but is not essential.
Demonstrated experience in linking legal strategies to effective communications, advocacy/campaign, and/or movement strategies to advance systemic change.
Experience of building and/or maintaining external networks, bringing expert practitioners and/or civil society together.
Cognisance of funder positionality and responsibility within civil society spaces, and ability to navigate complex individual and institutional power dynamics.
Experience of project management, prioritisation and planning, and ability to work with and across other teams at FILE
An ability to work equitably and effectively with multiple perspectives and build trust with diverse partners.
A willingness to travel from time to time – approximately four times a year – to meet FILE staff and partners.
An ability to work flexibly as part of a team spread across many time zones, which will involve some meetings outside of standard working hours.
A professional standard of written and spoken English; fluency in Kiswahili or another prominent African language. Fluency in French will be an advantage, but is not essential.
To apply
To apply, email your application by Friday, 6th March 2026 to [email protected]
The final job title for this position will be confirmed at the offer stage, but the core functions will not change significantly.
More Information
- Job City Kenya
