# Application for International Programs Officer ([Environmental Defenders Office](https://www.edo.org.au)) 19 February 2011 ### Dear █████ I am writing to apply for the position of Policy Lawyer at the Environmental Defenders Office in Sydney. I attach a CV for your perusal and a statement addressing the selection criteria is set out below. I am originally from the UK and moved to Australia with my partner. I am residing in Australia long-term on a de facto partner visa that allows me to work full-time. My notice period is one week. While I am not yet a qualified lawyer, I feel that my research experience and commitment to environmental issues make me an ideal candidate for this position. Further, I am willing to fund the cost of admission as a solicitor in New South Wales if this is required for this role. Selection Criteria Statement ### Qualifications I graduated from the University of Nottingham with upper second-class honours in Law (with American Law) (LLB). As part of this degree, I completed a one year exchange at the University of Texas. I am currently studying for a Masters of Environmental Law at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where I have attained a distinction average thus far. ### Ability to Develop and Maintain Partnerships During my time at Nottingham University, I was involved in a number of student societies and learned how to develop and maintain partnerships, in particular with people of different backgrounds and cultures. As General Secretary of the Nottingham Student Peace Movement, a group promoting peace and tolerance, I built up long-term partnerships with other student groups, community groups, religious organisations, immigrant communities and academics. These relationships enabled us to develop an interesting program of cross-cultural events. Likewise, as the Founder of the University Vegetarian & Vegan society, I developed partnerships with numerous groups, particularly the Indian Students Society and the Buddhist and Jain Societies. I also developed a strong relationship with University management, which resulted in long-term changes to the food choices offered at the University. These partnerships continue today despite my absence, which is a testament to the strength of the relationships that I formed. Commitment to International Law, Development, and Environmental Issues I have studied a number of international law courses at university, including International Human Rights, Principles of International Law, International Law and Developing Countries, Climate Change Law and Policy, Comparative Environmental Law and International Wildlife Law. I am also very interested in development issues. I am concerned about the inequality between developed and developing countries, and wish to contribute to lessening that gap, particularly where environmental issues are concerned. Two papers that I wrote have recently been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. One, which questions the effectiveness of developed-world NGO operations in developing countries, will be published in Development in Practice, and the other, focusing on environmental crimes committed in developing countries to meet a developed country demand for illegal products, will appear in Trends in Organized Crime. In July this year I will be travelling to Vanuatu to study an intensive course entitled ‘Environmental Law in Developing Countries. I am also hoping to undertake and internship at the UN Development Program in Timor-Leste. I have long been interested in environmental issues and involved in environmental activism. While at the University of Nottingham, I organised a climate change solutions conference, which was highly successful and has since become an annual event. I was involved in the planning of the Camp for Climate Action and attended the yearly Climate Change March in London while living in the UK. ### Experience in Program Development While I do not have direct experience in program development, I have a number of transferable skills that I feel would enable me to succeed in this role. I have strong organisational skills, as demonstrated by my ability to study for a Masters degree whilst also working two jobs and publishing academic papers. I have previously been involved in successfully organising events and setting up long-term programs as part of my role as General Secretary of the Student Peace Movement and President of the Vegetarian & Vegan Society. This included a lecture series, workshops, roundtable discussions, Most importantly, I am passionate about the environment and development, motivated, enthusiastic and adaptable, with the ability and drive to learn quickly. ### Communication Skills I have broad experience communicating with a wide range of people, and am able to recognise and adapt to the circumstances, adopting different styles of communication as appropriate. Shadowing a Crown Court Judge provided me with experience communicating with senior members of the judiciary, as well as with court staff, while completing two mini-pupillages allowed me to work with Barristers and clients. As a Paralegal I liaise with Partners, Senior Associates and Lawyers of varying levels of seniority on a regular basis and I previously acted as a Student Attorney for the University of Texas Capital Punishment Clinic, which involved communicating with other students, Lawyers, former jurors and, most challengingly, death row inmates. I am a confident speaker who also realises the importance of listening. I have been involved in debating and performed well in university mooting competitions. Last year I was a member of my university’s delegation to the World Model United Nations Conference. I am always keen to improve my communication skills, and have obtained basic qualifications in sign language and counselling. I am able to write clearly and concisely in plain English. I have volunteered for the Activist Legal Project researching and writing a guide for students detailing their legal rights to freedom of speech on university campuses. As well as detailed research into the legal position, this involved rewriting the information in language intelligible to all students. As a Paralegal and Research Assistant, I frequently have to précis very large and complex documents, writing in clear and simple language, while also accurately conveying the full meaning of the original document. Working for the Capital Punishment Clinic involved interviewing jurors, to whom I had to explain complex legal issues in simple, non-legal language. ### Research Skills I have consistently demonstrated excellent research skills. In addition to the abovementioned papers, I have written two theses and recently won the EDO student writing competition. As a Research Assistant I am conducting detailed legal research for Australia’s first book on the topic of renewable energy law. This involves utilising consultation documents, Government policy documents, case law, legislation and academic literature, while working at Freehills requires a broad range of research skills, including using case law databases and searching internal systems to locate precedents and other relevant information. ### Willingness to Travel I am a keen traveller, and have been privileged to have already visited many interesting places. I enjoy learning about cultures different from my own and understanding how others live. I would wholeheartedly embrace this part of the job. Environmental and development issues are my passion. I am committed to building a long-term career in this area and I feel that I would make a valuable contribution to the EDO’s work if selected for this position. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, PAGE 1 PAGE 2 The Environmental Defenders Office is a community legal centre specialising in public interest advocacy regarding environmental law and policy. The EDO is seeking to employ an International Programs Officer to coordinate the delivery of its International Programs. These programs provide assistance to lawyers and community groups working in public interest environmental law in the Pacific and South-East Asia. Currently, we work in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa. The EDO provides assistance across a broad range of issues, with a focus at present on climate change, forestry, marine environments and Indigenous rights. The type of assistance provided depends on the requirements of partner organisations in the region. The position is part-time, 30 hours per week. Salary $41,522 to $51,902 plus superannuation and leave loading. Applications should be submitted via email to [REDACTED EMAIL] with ‘Application for position of International Program Officer' in the subject line. Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the selection criteria. Applications which do not address the selection criteria will not be considered. For further information contact █████ on [REDACTED PHONE] or via HYPERLINK "mailto:[REDACTED EMAIL]" email. Applications close: Monday 7 March 2011, 5pm. ## SELECTION CRITERIA Essential a NSW practising certificate, or eligibility for admission to legal practice in NSW demonstrated ability to develop and maintain partnerships, particularly in a cross-cultural context demonstrated interest in international law and development issues experience in program development and/or project management excellent communication skills excellent research and writing skills willingness to travel Desirable tertiary qualification in international development or a related discipline experience working with organisations based in developing countries ## DUTY STATEMENT The International Programs Officer reports directly to the Director, and is responsible for the development and coordination of international programs and projects. This role includes the following duties: 1. Advice coordinating the provision of legal, policy and scientific advice by EDO staff to organisations in the Pacific arranging for expert advice from external specialists contributing to the review of environmental laws relevant to the Pacific and South-East Asia 2. Education and Training developing and delivering seminars and workshops in the region as requested by partner organisations bringing lawyers and others from the region to attend training in Australia writing, editing and publishing plain language publications 3. Volunteer Placements working with partner organisations in the Pacific and South-East Asia to develop placements through AusAID's AYAD, VIDA and AVI programs recruiting, mentoring and supporting volunteers 4. Fundraising and Promotion maintaining relationships with partners in the region to identify and prioritise areas of need networking, identifying potential partners and building relationships identifying potential funding sources and preparing grant applications liaising with stakeholders to obtain in-kind support promoting the services of the office to the community, key stakeholders and donors 5. Coordination coordinating the International Advisory Committee in consultation with the Director and Management Team, coordinating international work within the EDO , by identifying staff within the organisation who have the requisite skills and capacity to contribute to the Program and ensuring they are properly briefed to undertake the specific work developing additional programs and projects to meet the needs of partners in the region ensuring that details and outcomes of international work are reported back to the Office. 6. Review Regularly review the International Program in consultation with the Director to ensure that the Program objectives are being met. 7. General Responsibilities develop and maintain a good knowledge of the role and policies of the EDO represent the EDO in a positive and effective manner contribute actively and constructively at staff meetings seek opportunities for personal and professional development assist in organising and supervising volunteers respond to requests by clients and fellow staff in a knowledgeable, professional, constructive and polite manner provide accurate records and timely reports on activities for the information of the EDO Board and funding bodies.