We are looking for a new National Director

Lawyers for Human Rights is a vibrant human rights organisation with a proud history of human rights activism and public interest litigation in South Africa since 1979. With six offices spread around the country, LHR has a national footprint and offers specialist public interest legal services in key programme areas such as refugee and migrant rights, land reform, housing, environmental justice, penal reform, gender equality, worker rights and strategic litigation.

LHR is seeking to appoint a National Director to lead the organisation with various human rights programmes and law clinics around the country.

Managerial responsibilities​: 

-       Provide strategic thinking, positioning and management of LHR;

-       Manage the organisation’s programmes and law clinics effectively;

-       Represent the organisation and advocate with government, multilateral organisations, the United Nations, and other relevant international and regional institutions;

-       Coordinate closely with the programme managers on fundraising, overseeing donor reporting and identifying new donors to achieve the organisation’s goals;

-       Travel locally and internationally on a frequent basis;

-       Develop appropriate staff performance mechanisms;

-       Ensure sound and rigorous financial management and accountability based on ethical fiscal principles;

-       Identify and build strategic partnerships and networks and foster meaningful relationships; and

-       Have a close and interactive relationship with the LHR Board on developmental issues and be accountable to the Board.

Requirements: 

-       Have a good understanding of the socio-political and human rights environment in the country and the region;

-       Postgraduate qualification in law or a related field and a substantial record of legal advocacy, evidenced by involvement in human rights litigation or campaigns in the broad field of human rights;

-       Minimum of five years senior organisational leadership and management experience in a human rights or related work environment;

-       Strong organisational and programme management skills;

-       Fundraising experience and strong financial skills especially with local and international funding/ donor organisations;

-       Experience in developing networks, collaborations and partnerships;

-       Strong verbal and written communication skills with good interpersonal skills;

-       South African citizenship or permanent residence status

The position is based in Pretoria or Johannesburg. A competitive salary in line with NGO standards and benefits is offered.

LHR is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. To apply, submit your applications, including a detailed CV with three contactable references, motivating letter to jacob [at] lhr [dot] org [dot] za before 1 October 2017. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.