Join our team

We offer internships and volunteer opportunities at our Cape Town office on a rolling basis. We welcome students, graduate students or volunteers from South Africa and the Global South who want to contribute to our community organising, research, advocacy or legal work by assisting our staff. We’re always looking for people working in our areas of work, including urban planning, architecture, human geography, politics and law. We want to bring talented young people into social justice work and to offer an opportunity to be employed, gain experience, and ultimately find decent work. To apply, send a short description of your expertise and a copy of your most recent CV to employment@nu.org.za.  

Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) is an activist organization and law center that promotes the realization of constitutional rights and social justice through providing organizing, research and legal support and representation to poor and working class people, communities and social movements. We work to advance urban land justice in Cape Town through the protection and expansion of access to affordable housing; supporting tenants’ rights and security of tenure in both private and public housing; towards building a more just and equal city.

Based in Cape Town, Ndifuna Ukwazi seeks to appoint a Law Intern to join the team for a 12-month period, starting 06 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2025.

The Intern will be responsible for the following duties:

• Case management and paralegal support in the NU Housing Clinic under the supervision of attorneys at NU;
• Research to support litigation, submissions and campaigns where needed;
• Develop and facilitate appropriate content for NU’s educational programmes like Advice Assemblies and Land and Housing School;
• Assist in developing popular education style content for NU Law Centre on common legal issues and generally provide administrative support;
• Maintaining and strengthening NU’s profile and reputation with key stakeholders i.e local courts and clerical staff at the facilities.

The Intern should possess the following:

• Degree-level education or proven participation in relevant paralegal training;
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing social justice;
• Excellent verbal and written English communications skills (additional language skills in isiXhosa and/or Afrikaans would be an advantage);
• A strong work ethic, communication skills, and innovative thinking;
• Proven ability to work well under pressure, independently and as a team member;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to easily relate to, and work with people across race, class, gender and age; and
• Self-motivated and productive;

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Experience in, or familiarity with, land and housing rights;
• Experience in a social justice, activist or similar civil society organization; and
• Commitment to social justice.

Ndifuna Ukwazi is committed to transformation and equity in its recruitment processes.

How to apply:

Interested applicants must email their application to employment@nu.org.za with the subject “NU Vacancy: Law internship”.

Please include the following in your application:

• A CV;
• A letter of motivation giving a detailed explanation of why you would like to work at Ndifuna Ukwazi and what qualities and experience you would bring to the post (Not more than 1 page). Generalized cover letters that do not engage with Ndifuna Ukwazi and our work will not be considered); and

Only complete applications will be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Deadline: Friday 22nd of November 2024, 17:00.