Lawyer, Environmental Democracy

Lawyer, Environmental Democracy

Final date to receive applications: 14 September 2026

Department: Global Impact

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Berlin

Reporting To: Sebastian Bechtel

Compensation: €59,524 / year

The Environmental Democracy team works towards the correct implementation and enforcement of the ‘Aarhus Convention’, that is, the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters – the most progressive international agreement for citizens’ rights to information, participation and access to justice in Europe. The team aims to advance the principles of accountability, transparency and responsiveness for the good governance of EU institutions and national public authorities.

This is a fixed-term role for two years with a possibility of extension depending on available funding. The post holder will contribute to the team’s work in promoting and protecting the Aarhus Convention as a strong legal framework for environmental democracy and civic space, in particular to ensure that its compliance mechanisms remain independent and function effectively. Additionally, the post-holder will support strategic litigation efforts of Client Earth and other organisations in key European jurisdictions to set legal precedents that give broad access to justice.

Important dates to note:

• Deadline to submit an initial application:
  14th of September
• If your profile passes initial screening, you will be asked to submit additional information in the form of three additional questions.
• The deadline to submit your answers is the 17th of September
• If we do not receive a response to these questions by the deadline we will assume you are no longer interested in the role.
• Interviews will take place from the 1st of October

Please also review the "Our Hiring Process" section at the bottom of this advert to learn more about the stages involved for this specific role.

• Engage in advocacy aimed at promoting and defending the Aarhus Convention, working closely with the line manager and NGO partners to advance agreed policy objectives;
• Identify and address barriers to access to justice in environmental matters on national level, with a focus on Central or South Eastern Europe, including by contributing to legal analysis and assisting with strategic litigation;
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with NGOs, legal experts, academics and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in support of the Aarhus Convention;

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

• Fluent CEFR level C2 in English
• A degree in law
• Relevant professional experience working in UN processes or in national environmental planning and/or permitting
• Strong legal research and analytical skills and ability in performing rigorous and creative legal analysis in support of impactful work

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role. Note to candidates:
We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

Flexible working
:
We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.

Client Earth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds.
See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.

Due to the specific requirements of this role Client Earth may be able to offer work visa sponsorship for candidates who do not have the existing right to work in Belgium or Germany.

Client Earth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.