Summer 2014 Externship Opportunity with Friends of Animals Wildlife Law Program, Denver, CO (Deadline: ?)

I didn't see a deadline associated with this summer externship opportunity, so I assume that applying sooner than later is better.

Position Description:

Friends of Animals is pleased to announce summer (2014) externship opportunities in its Wildlife Law Program (WLP), located in Denver, Colorado. Established in 2013, the WLP fills a niche between animal and environmental activism.  Animal activists often fail to fully utilize the array of local, state, federal and international environmental laws as a means to protect the rights of animals to live free from human interference.  Environmental activists often utilize these laws, but do so to achieve broad environmental objectives that may not always protect the rights of free-living animals. The mission of the WLP is to utilize the law for a singular purpose: to ensure the right of all wildlife to live in an ecosystem free from human manipulation, exploitation, or abuse.

The WLP focuses on the defense of wildlife and their habitats throughout the world. Attorneys and externs in the program utilize a variety of environmental laws to promote the rights of wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Treaty Bird Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and international treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

Externs will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience by working closely with WLP attorneys to litigate matters in federal and state court, as well as engage in non-litigation advocacy projects. Typically extern projects include drafting legal documents (60-day notice letters, complaints, discovery documents, briefs, administrative comments), legal research and writing, interviewing and working directly with the client, engaging government decision-makers, and advocating at the policy level. The WLP attorneys also make an effort to expose students to a wide variety of career opportunities, including opportunities in public interest environmental law and animal rights law.

Qualifications:

Seeking a current 1L or 2L student enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. Applicants should have strong legal writing and research skills, and a demonstrated interest in animal rights or wildlife advocacy.

To apply:

Send current resume and writing sample to: Michael Harris, Director Wildlife Law Program, 7500 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 385, Centennial, CO 80112 or email to michaelharris@friendsofanimals.org

About Friends of Animals:

Friends of Animals is a non-profit, international animal advocacy organization, incorporated in the state of New York since 1957. Friends of Animals works to cultivate a respectful view of nonhuman animals, free-living and domestic. Our goal is to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation around the world. Friends of Animal's President is Priscilla Feral, who works out of FoA's International Headquarters in Darien, Connecticut.

General Info on Internships with the Joint Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Convention

I came across this when browsing the Joint Secretariat website.

The link is here, but info is also set out below.  It is a general invitation  to apply for an internship, but there is no specific guidance about application deadlines.

 Internship opportunities with the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (UNEP)

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (hereafter “BRS”) is regularly looking for suitable candidates to undertake internships.

The internships are conducted within the framework of the United Nations Internship Programme and the objectives of the internship programme are:

To provide current students with important practical experience which complements their field of study, and which at the same time will be of benefit to BRS.

To promote among the students a better understanding of major global problems confronting the world and to give them an insight into how the UN attempts to find solutions to these problems.

To expose the students to the UN, its policies and programmes.

To enable students from all parts of the world to exchange information during and after the internship, so as to appreciate cultural diversity among different peoples and have them become ambassadors of peace and goodwill.

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

Chemicals contribute many advantages to today's world; however their use can also pose risks to human health and the environment. To reduce this harmful global impact, three conventions have been established that regulate chemicals and hazardous wastes at global level:

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal regulates the export/import of hazardous waste and waste containing hazardous chemicals. The Convention was adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992. It currently has 180 Parties.

Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade currently regulates information about the export/import of 47 hazardous chemicals listed in the Convention’s Annex III, 33 of which are pesticides (including 4 severely hazardous pesticide formulations) and 14 of which are industrial chemicals. The Convention was adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2004. It currently has 153 Parties.

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants currently regulates 23 toxic substances that are persistent, travel long distances, bioaccumulate in organisms and are toxic. The Convention was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004. It currently has 179 Parties.

The vision for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Secretariat is to be recognized by the Parties as efficient, effective, innovative and responsive in carrying out the functions entrusted to it by the respective Conventions and their Conferences of the Parties, and in assisting Parties in their efforts to implement their obligations to protect human health and the environment from toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes. This vision supports the overarching goal of the three conventions to protect human health and the environment from toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes. 2

Minimum eligibility criteria

Please note that if you do not meet all the minimum eligibility criteria, your application will not be processed. Applicants for internships MUST:

Be currently enrolled in the third or fourth year of an undergraduate programme, or in a graduate (masters) or post-graduate (PhD) programme at the time of application and throughout the internship; and

Be willing to intern on a full-time basis for a period of not less than two months and not exceeding six months.

Important information

BRS does NOT provide financial support for interns. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel and living expenses during the internship period. Please note that housing in Geneva is very difficult to find and expensive, so research must be undertaken well in advance.

During the internship period, interns must observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of BRS, UNEP and the United Nations. The intern will be required to work full-time, in accordance with the working hours of BRS. Interns will work at the premises of BRS at the International Environment House in Geneva, Switzerland.

An internship at BRS is in no way related to recruitment for regular employment and there should be no expectancy of such. Interns are not eligible for employment with the United Nations either during their internship or within the six-month period immediately following the expiration of the internship.

Position: Executive Secretary of Joint Secretariat for Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, Geneva (Deadline: April 12, 2014)

I saw on the Joint Secretariat website that Jim Willis, the current Executive Secretary, is retiring and a vacancy announcement has already been posted.  

Link is here, and info pasted below.

This is obviously a very senior UNEP position, but an amazing opportunity for somebody with the right background.  Willis was a long-time career manager at EPA but also had done a stint at UNEP before becoming the Executive Secretary of the Joint Secretariat.

Job Title:          Executive Secretary, D2

           

Department/ Office:   United Nations Environment Programme

           

Duty Station:   GENEVA

           

Posting Period:            11 February 2014-12 April 2014

           

Job Opening number: 14-ADM-UNEP-32570-D-GENEVA (X)

Org. Setting and Reporting
	The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is “to be the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations System and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment”. This position is located in the Joint Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposals, the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at the Geneva duty-station. The Executive Secretary will report to the Executive Director through the Deputy Executive Director and within delegated authority the Director will be responsible for the following:
		Responsibilities
	In performing his/her functions, the Executive Secretary shall fully respect the legal autonomy of the three conventions; provide equal commitment to the implementation of the three conventions; demonstrate increased efficiency and effectiveness in the cooperation and coordination of the three secretariats; and maximize the effective and efficient use of resources. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Direct and manage efficiently and effectively the Secretariat of the three conventions; 2. Contribute to the implementation of the mandates and missions of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and to the formulation of the three conventions’ overall strategies and policies; Act in an advisory capacity to the UNEP Executive Director and the Presidents and the Bureaus of the conventions as well as their subsidiary bodies; Provide contributions and leadership to the development and implementation of innovative and/or change management programmes across the conventions; Coordinate the preparations for the meetings of the conventions. 3. Formulate for adoption by the Conference of the Parties (COPs)  and implement the substantive work programme of the conventions; Coordinate and lead the provision of technical assistance and capacity building development under the conventions; Coordinate the assistance to Parties, in particular developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, in a synergetic manner; Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the joint Secretariat; Ensure that activities are carried out in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner and in a synergestic approach. 4. Lead the development of strategies and policies and undertake fund raising and donor reporting; Lead the strategic interagency work of the Secretariat in close coordination with UNEP and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements as appropriate; Coordinate the preparation of documents and reports for COPs and intersessional meetings. 5. Oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Secretariat; Oversee the recruitment and development of staff, encourage and foster team-work and communication among staff; Chair meetings and seminars on substantive-related issues, represent the Secretariat at conferences, meetings and seminars. 6. Perform other duties as may be assigned.
		Competencies
	• Professionalism: Knowledge of and professional competence in the fields related to the mandates of the three conventions and their overarching goal; Ability to think strategically and to clearly articulate a strategic direction; Capacity to manage and develop people, to lead high performance teams and to work cooperatively; Facilitation of  and conducting of inter-governmental negotiating processes as well as handling of a multidisciplinary portfolio of tasks and duties; Integrity, openness and transparency in dealing with all stakeholders; Possesses understanding of the chemicals and wastes agenda; Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations; Persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue the same direction. • Leadership: Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change and improvement; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
		Education
	Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, natural science, chemistry, economics, public administration or related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
		Work Experience
	Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience, including managerial experience, working with or in an international organization in the environmental field is required.  Experience in resource mobilization and donor reporting in an international organization is required.  Experience in change management and managing in complex and multicultural settings is required.  Experience in the United Nations Common System or other international organizations is desirable.
		Languages
	English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
		Assessment Method
	Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency based interview.
		Special Notice
	Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.  On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
		United Nations Considerations
	The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
		No Fee
	THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Position: CIEL Program Director for People, Land & Resources, Center for Int. Env. Law, Wash. DC (Deadline: Jan. 27, 2014)

Unfortunately, I learned about this position only today. Deadline was already extended previously and is now January 27, 2014, i.e. Monday.

Vacancy Announcement: CIEL Program Director for People, Land & Resources

December 2013

The Center for International Environmental Law is seeking a Program Director for its People, Land & Resources Program (PLR). For more than 20 years, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL’s dynamic team of international attorneys and experts work together in a collaborative and supportive work environment to tackle some of the most interesting and challenging issues facing people and the planet.
CIEL has built a reputation as one of the leading watchdogs of development finance institutions, and continues to play a vital role in defending the environment and communities against the adverse impacts of development by ensuring that the laws and policies governing development activities are consistent with those protecting the environment and human rights. The PLR program uses environmental and human rights standards related to development and other legal tools in innovative ways to strengthen international law, empower communities to use international law to defend their rights, ensure international financial flows safeguard the environment and human rights, and increase corporate accountability. We are currently seeking a dynamic individual to join us in these efforts.

The Program Director, PLR is a management position requiring substantial experience in international environmental and human rights law, policy and practice relating to development finance, ability to manage diverse staff, and demonstrated success in creating and implementing effective campaigns. The position serves as CIEL’s institutional lead on finance, development and accountability mechanisms, and bears primary responsibility for the strategic development and administrative oversight for the program. In consultation with the President and other relevant staff, the Program Director will work with team members to define program objectives consistent with CIEL’s mission and strategic plan, secure program funding from foundations and donors, implement campaigns consistent with objectives and available resources, and oversee administrative matters relating to the program. The position is based in Washington, D.C., and requires periodic international travel.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional who: has significant experience in international environmental law, policy, and practice; is able to manage diverse staff; and has demonstrated success in developing and implementing effective campaigns. Minimum qualifications for the position include: a J.D. or equivalent degree; seven to ten years of relevant experience; exceptional research, writing and communication skills; demonstrated success fundraising to support project goals; and demonstrated ability to manage a team in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have experience with human rights standards and issues; experience with international accountability mechanisms; proficiency in one or more foreign languages; and a great sense of humor. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter, two references, and a writing sample to info@ciel.org (include “People, Land & Resources Program Director” in subject line). The writing sample should represent the applicant’s own, unedited writing.

Application Deadline: January 27, 2014. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CIEL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is an equal opportunity employer offering an informal, friendly, and fun work environment with excellent benefits. 

Fellowship: Graduate Fellow Attorney, Conservation Law Center (operating with Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN), Deadline: End of February 2014

A blurb about the position and longer description below.  Application deadline is end of February, but it looks like sending something in sooner than later is better.

"The Conservation Law Center at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law is seeking a Graduate Fellow Attorney to join our practice. We represent conservation organizations without charge, work to improve conservation law and policy, and provide clinical experience to second and third year law students.  Among a great variety of matters we work on the law of conservation easements, threats to species and ecological systems, protection of high quality aquatic systems, and representation of land trusts."  

Conservation Law Center

Position Description: Graduate Fellow Attorney

Full Time

Office Location: 116 South Indiana, Suite 4, Bloomington, IN 47408

The Conservation Law Center is an independent non-profit organization that provides legal counsel without charge to conservation organizations and works to improve conservation law and policy.  The Center also operates a Conservation Law Clinic under an agreement with the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.  Second and third year law school students are engaged as interns in the Clinic.  Through their work with the Clinic, law students gain clinical experience in the practice of law and the profession's public service tradition.

Graduate Fellow Attorneys do legal research on issues in which the Center is involved; help guide, train, and supervise the Center’s interns; do and edit legal writing; represent Center clients; and assist as needed in all aspects of the operation of the Center.  Fellowships are generally offered to attorneys with outstanding legal credentials who are licensed to practice, are committed to conservation, and who have practiced fewer than two years, or to outstanding recent law school graduates who expect to be licensed to practice law within several months of their employment by the Center.  Fellowships are for one year, with a second year possible at the option of the Fellow, depending on interest, and the Center, depending on performance.  The Center hopes the experience of its Graduate Fellow Attorneys will help them to secure work in public interest environmental law.

Graduate Fellow Attorneys work an average of 35 hours per week, although our commitment to excellent representation of Center clients will require that Fellows work more than that during some weeks.  The annual salary for first year Fellows is $39,000.  An increase is possible for second year Fellows.  In addition to salary, the CLC provides certain benefits.

Graduate Fellow Attorneys are supervised by the Director of the Conservation Law Center, W. William Weeks, and the Center’s Staff Attorney, Jeffrey B. Hyman.

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume addressed to the attention of Britt Rust at the Conservation Law Center at the address above, or by e-mail to bcrust@indiana.edu.

Summers-only Masters of Environmental Law and Policy Program at Vermont Law School

Somebody asked that I post the info below.

Internships/Externships: 2014 Summer Clerkships at Earthjustice (Florida, International, Mid-Pacific, Northeast Offices) (Deadline: Rolling, but ideally by Dec. 2)

A little embarrassed that this escaped my attention until now (given that I am now on the Board for Earthjustice) - application should have been submitted by December 2, but review process seems to be rolling.    Note especially the opportunity to work with the International Program in San Francisco.

• Office: Florida, International, Mid-Pacific, Northeast

• Department: Legal

Location: Honolulu, HI, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco, CA, Tallahassee, FL

Job Type: Clerk, Extern or Intern

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Earthjustice is now accepting applications for our 2014 Summer Clerkships! 

Our work is currently divided into three major areas: 

• Protecting Our Natural Heritage focuses on cases that protect endangered species, national forests, national parks, other public lands, water resources, and the oceans. 
• Safeguarding Our Health focuses on cases that protect public health, in particular by ensuring clean air and water, and reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. 
• Promoting a Clean Energy Future focuses on cases that encourage clean energy and energy efficiency while challenging the reliance on coal, oil and other dirty fuels.

Summer law clerks will have the opportunity to work with attorneys on case development and litigation. Under the supervision of an attorney, a law clerk’s primary responsibilities are to perform legal and factual research, and to develop case strategy and legal theories. Law clerks may also have the opportunity to assist attorneys with preparing briefs and motions, to meet with clients and experts, and to attend court proceedings and conferences with opposing counsel. In addition to involvement in ongoing litigation, the summer program includes seminars with attorneys from across the organization on current environmental issues. 

We offer a stipend, but strongly encourage candidates to obtain outside funding. 

To Apply:

Law students who have a minimum of ten consecutive weeks to commit in the summer of 2014 are eligible to apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, recent writing sample (of no more than ten pages), unofficial transcript, and a list of three references to:jobs@earthjustice.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but students are encouraged to apply by December 2, 2013.  The subject line should read:  “2014 Summer Law Clerk: [preferred Earthjustice office location(s)]”. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

Applicants who wish to express interest in a particular regional office may supplement their applications with a separate cover letter sent directly to the email address for that office. The subject line should read:  “2014 Clerkship Supplemental Cover Letter.”  You still must send all application materials identified above to jobs@earthjustice.org.  Only the additional cover letter goes to the regional office. Clickhere to locate a particular office’s email address.  

Follow the hyperlinks below to learn about the work of each Earthjustice office.

·         Florida

·         International

·         Northeast

About Earthjustice:

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization.  We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters and citizens to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring the best and brightest who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Alaska, California, Florida, Mid-Pacific, Northeast, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and Washington DC.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.