Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights (CELCOR) is a public interest law firm and requires experienced lawyers to work in promoting the Direct Legal Assistance and Policy Research and Law Reform programs. Unfortunately, with limited funding they are unable to offer competitive legal salaries. As a result, the legal team consists of lawyers who are not experienced in environmental law and recent graduates in need of mentoring and training in order to be effective in producing the desired outcomes. This assignment is important because CELCOR is involved in significant logging and mining cases and there are a suite of natural resources policies and laws that need to be reviewed to promote sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic, environmental and socio-political development in PNG. An experienced lawyer with legal advice, litigation and policy development and review experience be will be suitable for the assignment.

• You'll be providing support to the Principle Lawyer working in the Policy Research and Law Reform Program and will assisting facilitating workshops and training under the Community Legal Education Program
• You'll need minimum 3 years experience in litigation practice and experience in environmental and planning law in Australian or common law jurisdiction
• You'll gain the opportunity to enhance skills in a legal NGO with specials focus on awareness raising, policy development and capacity building for communities affected by environmental issues

Partner organisation overview

Centre for Environmental Law & Community Rights Inc (CELCOR) is a public interest legal NGO with special focus on awareness raising, policy development and capacity building for communities affected by logging, mining, oil palm, extractive industries and marine development areas to have their voices heard appropriately. CELCOR was established in February 2000 and is governed by the Board of Directors; and is staffed by an Executive Director, Lawyers, Campaigners, and Finance and Administrative Support team.

Since its inception CELCOR has been providing free legal advice and assistance to customary landowners, NGOs and CBOs affected by developmental activities. The organisation had also been involved in policy analysis and development work and has made substantial efforts to educate landowners about their rights under PNG laws through our community based legal education program.

CELCOR has been instrumental in initiating, contributing to, and supporting partnerships and alliances with other organisations to achieve environmental protection within PNG and the region. It is a member of the Friends of the Earth, and is now working with partner NGOs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Solomon Islands and the Philippines on issues relating to illegal logging and protections of indigenous rights. It is also a member of the “Ring of Fire Coalition” which is a dynamic group of forest activists from 10 countries around the Pacific Rim, dedicated to reforming Japan and USA on consumption of timber from their native forests. CELCOR’s lawyers are also members of Environmental Lawyers Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), a global network of public interest law advocates including lawyers and scientists.

Similarly, CELCOR is a member of PNG Eco-Forestry Forum and the NGO Environmental Watch Group (NEWG) and is one of the founding members of the Conservation Forum of PNG.

CELCOR has five core values that holds the organisation together and guides it work:

1. We believe in transparency and a participatory and collaborative approach at all level of interaction
2. We are committed in striving for excellence
3. We believe in being accountable to all stakeholders and exercise professionalism, commitment, integrity and honesty at all times
4. We believe in equality by demonstrating sensitivity and respect in all facets
5. We believe in fairness, justice, accountability and transparency in all our work

A position description is attached.