Deadline: December 9, 2020
Applications for the East Africa Emerging Advocates Training Programme 2021 are now open. The goal of the programme is to build the next generation of public interest advocates in East Africa who share a commitment to and passion for promoting social justice and democratic values. This comes from the realisation that there is a limited number of active public interest litigants as most lawyers prefer careers in private and other fields of law.
About
The East Africa Emerging Public Interest Advocates Programme for young legal professionals is a flagship fellowship programme by the Centre for Strategic Litigation (CSL) in partnership with other East African organisations including the Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL), Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Katiba Institute, Kituo cha Sheria, Advocates for Natural Resources and Development, Tax Justice Network – Africa, Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights, Initiative for Social and Economic Rights, Tree of Hope and Justice Centers. The programme empowers young advocates through rigorous skills-based training and practical experience in public interest litigation.
The fellowship provides up to 30 outstanding young advocates from Kenya, Tanzania (mainland), Tanzania (Zanzibar) and Uganda with an opportunity to learn from public interest litigation and advocacy academics and practitioners, both in class and in court for six (6) months under the following carefully designed curriculum:
• Residential programme – Intensive 1-month residential training programme. The residency combines lectures, court visits, community engagement, and practical learning through moot courts and mock trials. Fellows interact with some of the leading practitioners and scholars in human rights, constitutionalism and public interest litigation in East Africa.
• Practicum – 4.5 months of practical work in partner organizations under the tutelage of a dedicated mentor. Fellows work on selected problems under the mentorship of an experienced public interest litigant. Practical training in Public Interest litigation and advocacy takes place during this phase.
• Closing Seminars – Fellows, trainers, and mentors convene in residence for reflection, evaluation of progress, and to determine the way forward. The programme for the respective cohort concludes at this stage as fellows join the programme’s alumni network.
Benefits
The programme provides:
• Economy travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route for you only. CSL will not purchase any travel tickets for a fellow unless they can show proof of all valid travel documents (e.g valid passports). CSL will not be liable for any loss or expenses (including airfares) for travel delays incurred by the fellow as a result of inaccurate information provided by the fellow, delays in submitting the appropriate forms to the relevant authorities or refusals of host or transit country authorities to grant a visa to the fellow.
• During the travel period covered under the training programme, it is the fellow’s responsibility to comply with all local laws and legislation of the country to which he or she will travel.
• A stipend during the practicum phase (contingent upon completion of deliverables/ set milestones)
Eligibility
CSL aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. They are committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.
To apply for the fellowship, one must:
• Be a citizen of either Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania.
• Be able to start the programme in Tanzania by 01 February 2021 and commit throughout the entire phase of the programme until 14 August 2021 the latest.
• By February 2021, be a recent college graduate or young professionals with up to five years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrate passion for human rights and rule of law.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:• Academic merit of the candidate.
• Quality of the proposed casework.
• Potential impact on the development of the casework in the candidate’s home country.
• Two academic and/or professional letters of recommendation (emailed or mailed directly to CSL and received by the due date)
Application
The online application form must be written in English. CSL will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system. Once you start the online application, you will have until the application round closes to submit the completed form. Active but incomplete applications will NOT be considered once the application window is closed.
Applications must include the following supporting documentation to be eligible for consideration:
• Proof of citizenship – uploaded to the online application system.
• Full transcripts and certificates – uploaded to the online application system.
For more information, visit EAEPIAP.
