How to Find the Best NGO Internships for Law Students
If you’re wondering what are the best internships for law students at NGOs, then we’re here to help you find a law internship that’s best suited for your goals.
LAW & ADVOCACY INTERNSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
HELP ADVANCE WOMEN’S RIGHTS THROUGH AN HANDS-ON LAW INTERNSHIP IN CAPE TOWN
If you’re a law student or graduate, and you have a passion for women’s rights, here’s an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful and valuable work experience. This law internship in Cape Town will allow you to help with litigation, research, and advocacy campaigns designed to advance the rights of women in South Africa.
You’ll join the Women’s Legal Centre, a female owned and run nonprofit organization on a mission to highlight the vulnerability and discrimination many women in South Africa face, and providing vital legal support. They do this through litigation of cases for marginalized women, advocacy campaigns, research, and training.
As an intern, you’ll work closely with the legal practitioners in the team to prepare cases for litigation, develop advocacy and educational strategies and engage with stakeholders. You’ll also have a chance to assist on a communications level by designing and managing social media campaigns or writing analytical content for blogs or newsletters.
This law internship in South Africa is an excellent opportunity to gain practical work experience on an international level, while helping advance women’s rights in South Africa.
Learning outcomes of this law and advocacy internship:
- A wealth of practical experience in doing legal research, preparing cases, and running advocacy campaigns.
- An understanding of the ways in which the law can be applied to advance the rights and opportunities for women
- Insights into of the day to day running of a nonprofit legal center
- International work experience
ORGANIZATION
You’ll be part of the Women’s Legal Centre (WLC), a nonprofit organization that works to protect and advance the rights of women in South Africa. Their mission is to assist women who deal with domestic abuse, discrimination in the workplace, and other issues that are prevalent South Africa and that keep women from progressing in society.
Their WLC’s aim is to develop feminist jurisprudence that recognises and advances women’s rights. They achieve their mission through litigation in areas such as equal access to resources, safety from violence, recognition of women’s right to work, and the right to own land and housing. The organization is committed to providing free legal advice and support to women who would ordinarily have no access to legal services.
Besides assisting with individual cases through litigation, the WLC also uses research, advocacy, and education as tools to drive their mission home, and to advocate for the state and the private sector to uphold their responsibilities in terms of women’s rights.
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
Responsibilities
As a law intern in Cape Town, your tasks will be customized to your skills and experience, but they are likely to include the following:
- Do legal research for specific cases
- Help prepare cases for litigation
- Do research into and analysis of the legal challenges for women in South Africa
- Assist with developing advocacy strategies
- Engage with stakeholders
- Write website or newsletter content
- Help design and run social media advocacy campaigns
- Assist with administrative tasks
Requirements
- You’ll need to be a law student or graduate (or a student / graduate of a related field)
- Strong research skills and well-developed communication skills
- A passion for the work the Women’s Legal Centre does
- An ability to work quite independently and take initiative
- Some practical experience with similar work would be a bonus
- Bring your own laptop
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
You’ll be staying at The Lenox, a comfortable guesthouse in the heart of Cape Town. Built in the old Cape Dutch style, The Lenox is characterful and historic. It has multiple balconies, a large dining room, and many other communal spaces. Shared bedrooms include 2 twin beds, and there are plenty of single rooms available as well (at an extra fee). You’ll be walking distance from many shops, cafes, restaurants, and some of the touristy highlights Cape Town has to offer as well.
Safety & Support
Safety & Support
Be sure to prioritize hydration in the summer to avoid heatstroke. South Africa does have high crime rates, so it’s important to be aware and use common sense to stay safe. Some safety guidelines are to always walk in groups, take a taxi/Uber in the evenings, know safe/dangerous areas, secure your belongings, don’t walk around with large sums of cash (you can pay everything with a card), minimize wearing flashy accessories, and be cautious of overly friendly strangers.
Communication
Communication
The accommodation offers free Wi-Fi to keep family and friends up to date via WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. Cafes/restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. You can also consider getting a local SIM card if your phone is unlocked, or setting your phone’s status to roaming, depending on your provider’s rates.
Meals
Meals
A simple breakfast, lunch and a delicious cooked dinner (vegetarian & vegan options available) from Monday to Friday are included in your fee. Indulge in local dishes, like bobotie and South African Braai! For desserts, don’t miss out on milk tarts and malva pudding. There is a diverse food scene in Cape Town, so no matter your cuisine preference or dietary restrictions you’ll have plenty of options. Let us know in advance if you have any allergies/dietary needs.
Location details
Location details
Discover Cape Town’s attractions: Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, city tours, historical sites, and the Cape Point Peninsula. There are also opportunities to surf, kayak, paraglide, cage dive with sharks, and more! Cape Town has a mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers so be sure to check what the temperature will be like during your stay.
DATES & RATES
Fee Breakdown
Internship start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed during the selection process. Application deadlines:
1 November 2023 for Jan-May 2024 internships
1 April 2024 for June-Aug 2024 internships
1 July 2023 for Sept-Nov 2024 internships
What you’ll pay (2023/2024 rates)
1 MONTH USD 1,247
2 MONTHS USD 1,814
3 MONTHS USD 2,382
4 MONTHS USD 2,949
5 MONTHS USD 3,517
6 MONTHS USD 4,084
Inclusions
- Transfer from Cape Town International airport to your accommodation and back on arrival and departure day
- Accommodation based on a dorm room (4-8 pax). If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices
- Two meals (breakfast and dinner) a day from Monday to Friday
- Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
- On the ground support during your stay
- Free Wi-Fi
- Assistance with finding the perfect work placement
- Supervision during your internship
- Check-in and feedback as well as a reference letter after your internship
- Your own account on a career development platform that offers content and courses focused on exploring different career opportunities
- Reference letter at the end of your internship
- A discount on weekend activities, exclusive to Roots interns
Optional extra
Personal Development Sessions
To help you optimise your personal and professional development during your internship, we offer individual monthly sessions with a professional consultant. These 1,5-hour sessions offer opportunities to set goals, reflect on your experience, and ensure your internship will benefit your career as much as possible.
Monthly fee: USD 65
Workshop: Exploring the Nonprofit Landscape
To give you a full understanding of the nonprofit sector in Africa, we offer one-off individual online workshops by a South African digital marketing and fundraising specialist. You’ll learn about the needs of the nonprofit sector, best practices in nonprofit management, and sustainability of fundraising initiatives. You’ll also be given a large amount of useful resources.
Workshop fee: USD 65
Exclusions
- Flights
- Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Lunch, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Meals during the weekend
- Transport to the office
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
FAQs
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in South Africa.
What can I expect from a NGO internship in South Africa?
During your internship in South Africa you can expect to meet people from around the world, as well as indulging yourself into the culture of this beautiful country! If you want to know more about what to expect, make sure to check out our top 7 reasons for an internship in Cape Town.
Will I have time to explore South Africa during my internship?
Yes! We partner with various activity organizers that can offer discounts exclusive to Roots Interns, for example, a road trip through the Garden Route and bungee jumping off the world’s largest natural bungee. You may also explore the country on your own and we are happy to give recommendations.
Am I able to do an internship while on a study program in Cape Town?
Yes! You are able to do a part-time internship with certain organizations so that you can continue your studies, while also gaining valuable work experience.
Will I receive a stipend of any kind during my internship with Roots?
Unfortunately, no. When working with a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but there are many ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth that are invaluable!
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
PROJECT FOCUS: Gender Equality
TASK FOCUS: Research, Litigation, Advocacy, Campaigns
LENGTH: 4-12 weeks
COST: From USD 1247
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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