Clooney Foundation
Applications are open for the Clooney Foundation for Justice CFJ Fellowship 2027, a professional development and legal advocacy opportunity for early career African women lawyers committed to advancing justice for women and children. The programme provides fellows with practical legal experience, specialised training, mentorship and opportunities to work directly with organisations addressing human rights violations and violence against women and children.
The fellowship is administered by the Clooney Foundation for Justice in partnership with the Legal Empowerment Fund at the Fund for Global Human Rights. For the 2027 class, ten early career women lawyers will be placed with human rights and justice organisations in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and The Gambia. Host institutions include legal aid providers, selected university legal aid clinics and government prosecution services.
Fellows will provide legal services to women and children at different stages of the justice process. The programme places particular emphasis on addressing child marriage and violence against women and children through legal representation, strategic litigation, legal research, advocacy and innovative approaches to improving access to justice.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice Fellowship is designed to support the next generation of African women lawyers working to advance human rights and justice.
The programme provides an immersive professional placement in a host organisation where fellows can develop their legal skills through practical work. Rather than focusing only on classroom learning, fellows will work on real legal and human rights matters involving women and children.
Depending on their host organisation, fellows may conduct legal research, prepare legal documents, support clients, contribute to advocacy activities and participate in court representation. They will also receive guidance from supervisors and experienced human rights practitioners.
The fellowship is particularly relevant for lawyers who want to build careers in human rights law, women's rights, strategic litigation, legal empowerment, access to justice and advocacy.
• Paid work placement with a human rights organisation, university legal aid clinic or government legal institution.
• Practical experience in legal research, drafting, client support and legal representation.
• Training in strategic litigation and advocacy for women and children.
• Mentorship from the Justice for Women and Children Programme Director.
• Guidance from host organisation supervisors and regional human rights experts.
• At least one in person gathering with other fellows, supervisors and senior CFJ leadership.
• Monthly online training led by human rights experts.
• Exposure to innovative technology that can improve access to justice.
• Access to a global network of lawyers, judges, activists, academics and human rights experts.
• Continued support, knowledge sharing and collaboration through the CFJ Fellowship Alumni Programme after completion.
The fellowship focuses on practical legal and advocacy work related to justice for women and children.
• Human rights law.
• Women's rights.
• Children's rights.
• Legal representation and legal aid.
• Strategic litigation.
• Violence against women and children.
• Child marriage.
• Access to justice.
• Legal advocacy.
• Legal empowerment.
• Technology and access to justice.
• Support for survivors and vulnerable communities.
Applicants must meet the fellowship's professional and geographic requirements.
• Be an early career woman lawyer from Africa.
• Hold a law degree from a recognised academic institution.
• Be admitted to practice as a lawyer in the country of the selected host organisation.
• Have up to five years of legal experience following graduation from law school or qualification as a lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Have the legal right to work in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa or The Gambia, depending on the selected host organisation.
• Be committed to justice and human rights.
• Demonstrate an interest in advancing the rights of women and children.
• Have strong legal research, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact finding.
• Be able to work independently while also collaborating effectively with others.
• Be willing to travel when required.
• Have fluency in English.
• Additional experience working with women, children, survivors or other vulnerable individuals is an advantage.
• Experience in women's rights or human rights organisations is preferred.
Applicants should note that the programme does not support international relocation costs or the costs of obtaining work authorisation. Candidates therefore need to already have the right to work in the relevant host country.
The selection process will consider applicants' professional qualifications, relevant experience, commitment to human rights and potential to contribute to justice for women and children.
Particular attention will be given to:
• Legal education and professional qualification.
• Relevant legal experience.
• Commitment to human rights and justice.
• Experience or interest in women's rights and children's rights.
• Legal research and analytical ability.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with vulnerable individuals and affected communities.
• Creativity in developing legal and advocacy strategies.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Alignment with the mission of CFJ and the prospective host organisation.
Clooney Foundation
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