• EDO Volunteer Program
• Science Intern Position Vacant
• AYAD Placement, Papual New Guinea
  

EDO Volunteer Program

The EDO runs a volunteer program at our Sydney office and at our Northern Rivers branch office in Lismore.

Our office relies greatly on the commitment of students and professionals who volunteer their skills at the EDO. 

The Office has two streams of “legal volunteers”: law students who work one day per week assisting the EDO's lawyers with research and litigation support, and graduate interns, who work full time as junior lawyers.

In the past two years, the EDO has also hosted interns across its various functions, including para-legals, public affairs, science, and policy. Our interns have come from as far afield as Germany, the USA and the Netherlands.

Lawyers and law students who have studied environmental law are encouraged to join our volunteer program, either by working at the EDO in Sydney or Lismore or providing pro bono services.

Qualified environmental scientists are encouraged to join our expert register.

THE EDO CURRENTLY HAS VACANCIES FOR VOLUNTEERS

Available days are Monday or Thursday

How to apply:

	Please send your Curriculum Vitae to
	Complete the MS Word application form [204 KB] and attach it to your email.

• Lawyers and law students need to have studied NSW environmental law or have experience in environmental law practice.
• Applicants will be interviewed before being accepted as a volunteer.
• We ask our volunteers to make a commitment to work one day per week for at least two months.

Please contact us on (61 2) 9262 6989 or at for more information.

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Science Intern

The Environmental Defender's Office (EDO) is a community legal centre specialising in public interest environmental law.

The EDO is seeking a volunteer Science Intern to join our Sydney office for 2-3 days per week for the period of December 2008 – February 2009.

The Science Intern will assist in providing scientific and technical advice to the community on public interest environmental issues and assist in the administration of the EDO 's Scientific Advisory Service.

The successful applicant will have completed 3 or 4 years of a degree in science, natural resource management, or related discipline.

We seek applicants who possess:

• an ability to identify and analyse issues
• excellent research skills
• excellent written and oral communications skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• an interest in a wide range of scientific and technical issues.

More information about the EDO's Scientific Advisory Service.

If you are interested in this position, please submit a CV with a short cover letter to

For further information, please contact Kristy Graham (61 2) 9262 6989.

Applications close on 7 November, 2008.

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AYAD Placement, Papua New Guinea

The EDO is recruiting a Legal Officer between the ages of 18-30 to undertake an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development role working for the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The position is for 6 - 12 months (negotiable), beginning in March 2009. It is offered to suitably qualified applicants who meet the following selection criteria:

Essential

• Bachelor of Laws
• 12 months experience in legal practice

Desirable

• Commitment to environmental protection
• Knowledge of, or experience in, public interest litigation, particularly environmental advocacy
• Knowledge of, or experience in, lobbying and advocacy for law reform, particularly related to corruption
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and within a small team
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment

About ELC and the Legal Officer role

The Environmental Law Centre is an independent, non-profit legal centre which provides legal advice, case work, education and other assistance to customary landowners and community members in PNG. Anne Kajir, Director of ELC, was awarded the prestigious Goldman Prize in 2006 for her work to combat illegal logging in PNG.

The successful applicant will be responsible for working with ELC staff on:

• environmental litigation, particularly in the forestry sector;
• community education and capacity building activities in rural communities on the legal rights of customary landowners, particularly in relation to climate change;
• lobbying and advocacy work in relation to the enforcement of environmental laws, access to information and public participation, particularly in relation to
  corruption;
• strengthening relationships with international and regional lawyers, networks, NGOs and funding organisations.

About AYAD

Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) places 18-30 year olds (mostly graduates) in volunteer assignments within developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region.The Program provides support to cover the costs of volunteering overseas including predeparture medicals, insurance, travel, in-country allowance, and the support of in-country management services.

How to Apply

Applications are due by 25 September 2008. Application forms can be downloaded from the AYAD website http://www.ayad.com.au/aspx/home.aspx

Please return your application forms to:

Amelia Thorpe
Programs Director
Environmental Defender’s Office
1/89 York Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
email:

Please direct all enquiries to Amelia either via email or by calling 02 9262 6989.