CLOSED | JOB OPPORTUNITY | Legal Researcher

Date: 14/07/2025


Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to join our team as a Legal Researcher for our Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme, based in Gauteng.

LHR has been a catalyst for change since 1979 and through its thematic programmes in human rights,
undertakes strategic litgation, advocacy, mobilization and operates walk-in law clinics to provide direct legal assistance to indigent individuals and communities.

The successful candidate will assist with the Programme’s law and policy development work, lead the
development of a research report, work closely with our network of key stakeholders, and help us fulfil our mission to protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities.

The position, based in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria), will involve, primarily, LHR’s work in refugee rights, legal and policy development, and human rights impact litigation. The position will require the candidate to attend to work around the country.

An ability to contribute to LHR’s dynamic organisational ethos, and to demonstrate a flexible approach will be valued.

1. The scope of work, or project deliverables:

1.1 Family joinder and de-linking

  • Overview of the principle of family unity in terms of the 1951 Convention on Refugees, regional
    instruments including the AU Convention of 1969 and related policies.
  • How the Refugees Act provides for the protection and documentation of children born to refugees and asylum seeker in South Africa and an analysis of how this is implemented in other countries.
  • Court judgments that affirm the principle of family unity.
  • An analysis of how the amendments to the Refugees Act in 2020 led to de-linking of children born to refugees and asylum seekers.
  • What safeguards are available in the Children’s Act, and other legislation, to protect children
    born to refugees and asylum seekers in the above context.
  • The legal remedies available to children who are de-linked.
  • Legal remedies available to dependents who are not joined to their parents’ file.

1.2 Impact of gaps in law: lived experiences

  • Incorporate a collection of stories detailing first hand experiences of the affected population.

1.3 Special dispensation – Stateless Children and Youth

An exploration of the intersection between forced displacement and statelessness, targeting
specifically:

  • Children on the move: Unaccompanied and Separated Migrant Children who arrive in South
    Africa with no documentation or information from their country of origin, no particulars of
    parentage or place of birth and with no clear pathway to birth registration or citizenship in South
    Africa.
  • Children born to refugees or asylum seekers who struggle to access birth registration and
    struggle to get their citizenship certified in their parent’s country of origin or citizenship because
    they cannot access consular services and cannot apply for South African citizenship.

2. The required qualifications and experience

  • Passionate about social justice
  • Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Awareness of South African laws and policies regarding refugees, asylum seekers, and if possible,
    including statelessness
  • Experience with advocacy
  • Awareness of research ethics and protocols for working with vulnerable populations
  • Practical understanding of the asylum system in South Africa
  • Awareness of Children’s rights in South Africa

3. Possible duration of contract: August to December 2025

4. Proposed qualifications:

  • LLB
  • LLM in Human Rights (added advantage)
  • At least 6 months’ experience in a legal research role

LHR is committed to diversity and transformation. Candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you are interested, please submit a considered letter of motivation and a comprehensive CV to
ramokwapeng@lhr.org.za, by close of business on 18 July 2025. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews in the week of 21-24 July 2025.

No late or incomplete applications will be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Lawyers for Human Rights is committed to the safety, well-being, and protection of children and vulnerable adults. We employ a rights-based approach to ensuring this protection for these groups, which together represent a substantial portion of our client base, and all LHR employees are expected to comply with the organisation’s standards of behaviour in this respect.

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