This is an excellent opportunity for a senior lawyer or legal consultant with a strong corporate and finance law background and an in-depth knowledge of climate and energy policies in Asia, and in particular Indonesia, the Philippines and/or Japan to make a key contribution to the work of ClientEarth’s in the region.  

The post-holder is responsible for identifying priorities for improving the laws and legal systems to better protect people and nature. The Senior Lawyer ensures that they have the right support to ensure the effective delivery of ClientEarth’s priorities for advocacy, capacity-building, and other legal interventions. 

In this role, you will engage with partners across Southeast Asia and/or Japan to strengthen and accelerate the low-carbon transition and avoid dangerous climate change; build a network of relationships, actively scope and further develop ClientEarth’s work, conduct legal, technical and factual research and drafting; and support our legal capacity-building work across the region.  

ClientEarth is a group of international legal experts on climate, energy and the environment. We use the law in partnership with governments, the private sector and the public to address climate change, capture the opportunities of the low-carbon transition and protect nature. 

For external candidates, this role is currently opened only to legal professionals with a pre-existing right to work in Jakarta and/or Manilla. If you have a pre-existing right to work in Japan and have relevant qualifications, you can register your interest through our talent community webpage.  A separate job posting will be posted in the future.

For internal candidates, this role can be based from any existing office.

Meet your Manager

In this role, you will be managed by Raphael Soffer, Lead lawyer in the Resources, Energy and Mobility Asia team. Raphael joined ClientEarth in 2018 and is currently based in Tokyo. He collaborates with civil society, regulators, and the private sector to facilitate the transition to a net-zero economy. Raphael focuses on strengthening corporate climate accountability standards and the recognition of climate risks. He also assists organisations aiming at speeding up the coal-to-clean transition in the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, Raphaël worked as a lawyer for international law firms, focusing on the development of energy and infrastructure projects. 

Main Duties

• Conduct and oversee research and analysis, identify opportunities, and help shape and deliver our strategy to increase climate ambition, accelerate the energy transition and protect biodiversity among corporates and financial institutions, utilising corporate and financial laws
• Work closely with the corporate and financial sectors and external stakeholders such as corporates, investors, government, think tanks, and civil society organisations to accelerate transition to a net zero economy, redirect financial flows and strengthen climate and environmental policies 
• Contributute to our work on legal and judicial capacity building (e.g. prepare presentations, liaise with internal and external partners, organise training sessions and workshops) to enhance public interest environmental law expertise in the region 

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• Fluent in English (CEFR level C2) and high level (CEFR level C1 or C2) in and at least one Asian language
• Law degree or equivalent 
• Relevant legal professional qualification in any relevant jurisdiction
• Experience in corporate and financial law, including recent developments and trends regarding ESG, sustainability and CSR
• Specific experience in and in-depth knowledge of at least one relevant Asian jurisdiction and its corporate and financial law regulation landscape

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Further Information

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. 

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in Indonesia or Phillipines.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.