Opportunity: Tech Rights Fellowship – CLOSED

Full-time fixed term opportunity

Period: 12 months

Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg

Application deadline: 28 October 2022

Starting date: 10 January 2023

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Overview

In 2022, ALT Advisory, in association with Power Singh Inc., launched the Tech Rights Fellowship programme for entry-level practitioners interested in the intersection of human rights, justice, and technology.  Two Fellows are hosted in Rosebank, Johannesburg each year for a fixed-term period of 12 months, with the next cohort starting in January 2023.  The Fellows work within both ALT Advisory, a public interest advisory and research firm, and Power Singh Inc., a public interest law firm. At this time, we are seeking to fill one Fellow position for the 2023 cohort.

About ALT Advisory and Power Singh Inc.

ALT Advisory is a public interest advisory firm, based in Johannesburg, South Africa that focuses on public law, information rights, data privacy, emergent technology, and social innovation.  We strive to develop fundamental rights and galvanise activism in the information age through effective and innovative public-interest advisory services.  In doing so, we service international and domestic clients and contribute a portion of our income to funding public interest projects and litigation. ALT Advisory works in association with Power Singh Inc., a public interest law firm registered with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa, to engage in public interest litigation within our practice areas.

Key responsibilities

• Draft policy and/or legal submissions, research reports, toolkits, and other organisational documents.
• Conduct legal and/or policy research on international human rights law, digital rights, and questions of social justice in the digital age.
• Monitor and analyse legal, political, social, and technological policy developments in South Africa and the region.
• Provide support for legal proceedings, including research for strategic litigation, and assisting in case management.
• Participate in developing and implementing advocacy strategies at the domestic, regional, and international levels.
• Assist with internal organisational development.

Key competencies

• Demonstrated interest in ICTs, cybersecurity, public policy, and human rights developments.
• Commitment to advancing social justice and fundamental rights.
• Excellent research, policy analysis, and writing skills.
• Well organised with strong project management skills.
• Excellent communication and public engagement skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure, independently and with others.
• Capacity to meet strict deadlines.
• Commitment to continuing education.
• Commitment to organisational development and teamwork.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English.

Required experience

• 0-2 years’ relevant work experience.
• LLB or Bachelor’s degree in human rights, policy, political science, economics, or a relevant social science. Applicants who are in their final year of an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply.
• Interest in the field of public law and information rights, particularly in the areas of freedom of expression, access to information and privacy.
• Ability to travel.

Preferred experience

• LLM or an equivalent post-graduate qualification in human rights, law, policy, political science, economics, or a relevant social science.
• Fluency in South African languages, French, and/or Portuguese.

Salary

ALT Advisory seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience.

Time-period

The Fellows will be contracted for one year.

Commitment to diversity

We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and actively seek a diverse applicant pool. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ALT Advisory is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from previously disadvantaged persons.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please e-mail a motivational letter detailing your suitability for this opportunity, your CV with two contactable references and copies of your qualifications to Jessie Rashid at [email protected] by Friday, 28 October 2022.

Please include “TECH RIGHTS FELLOWSHIP: YOUR NAME” in the subject line of the e-mail.

If you have not been contacted by 9 November 2022, please consider your application unsuccessful.

We are not in a position to engage with recruitment agencies for this position.

We look forward to hearing from you!