CFJ Fellowship 2027 in South Africa
CFJ Fellowship 2027 in South Africa
Last Date
20 October 2026
Applications are open for the CFJ Fellowship 2027 in South Africa, a paid legal fellowship for early-career African women lawyers interested in human rights, strategic litigation, legal representation, and justice for women and children.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) runs the programme across South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, and The Gambia. The 2027 fellowship is a full-time, one-year placement from January to December 2027.
Applications opened on 8 September 2026. The application deadline is 20 October 2026 at 12:00 PM SAST.
CFJ Fellowship 2027 overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | CFJ Fellowship Programme |
| Organization | Clooney Foundation for Justice |
| Location | South Africa, Kenya, Malawi and The Gambia |
| South Africa host | Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria |
| Target group | Early-career African women lawyers |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Fellowship period | January to December 2027 |
| Funding | Paid |
| Work format | Primarily in-person |
| Application fee | No fee |
| Applications opened | 8 September 2026 |
| Deadline | 20 October 2026 |
| Deadline time | 12:00 PM SAST |
CFJ plans to place 10 early-career women lawyers with human rights and justice organizations across the participating African countries.
What is the CFJ Fellowship?
The CFJ Fellowship Programme gives early-career African women lawyers practical experience working on legal issues affecting women and children.
Fellows spend the year with a specific host organization. Their work can include legal research, direct legal assistance, representation, drafting, advocacy, and strategic litigation.
Each fellow also works with CFJ and the host organization on a workplan. This includes supporting at least one major strategic litigation case focused on advancing the rights of women and children.
The programme was previously known as the Waging Justice for Women Fellowship Programme. CFJ renamed it the CFJ Fellowship Programme beginning in August 2026, while keeping the recruitment, eligibility, and application processes unchanged.
CFJ Fellowship benefits
Successful fellows receive a paid work placement at a participating human rights organization, university legal aid clinic, or government legal institution.
The programme includes:
- A competitive gross annual salary paid in local currency
- Full-time professional legal experience
- Mentorship from CFJ, host supervisors, and regional human rights experts
- Monthly online training
- At least one in-person fellowship gathering
- Access to human rights lawyers, judges, activists, academics, and other professionals
- Membership in the CFJ Fellowship Alumni Network after completing the programme
Additional work or travel expenses may be covered by CFJ or the host organization depending on the circumstances. These expenses are not guaranteed.
CFJ Fellowship salary
CFJ does not publish one fixed salary for every fellow.
Each host organization provides its fellow with the local-currency equivalent of a competitive gross annual salary. The amount can therefore depend on the host country and organization.
There is also no application fee for the CFJ Fellowship Programme.
Who can apply for the CFJ Fellowship 2027?
The programme is intended for early-career African women lawyers.
An ideal applicant has less than 5 years of professional experience after admission to legal practice and is admitted to practise law in the country of one of the participating host organizations.
Applicants need:
- A law degree from a recognized academic institution
- Admission to practise as a lawyer in the country of the selected host organization
- Up to 5 years of legal experience after graduating from law school or qualifying as a lawyer
- The legal right to work in the selected host country
- Fluency in English
- Availability for the full fellowship period from January to December 2027
Experience in women’s rights or human rights organizations is preferred. Knowledge of other working languages used in the host country can also support an application.
Eligibility for the South Africa placement
Applicants specifically interested in the CFJ Fellowship 2027 in South Africa should pay close attention to the professional and work authorization requirements.
The 2027 South African host organization is the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria.
Applicants selecting this placement must be admitted to practise law in South Africa and have the right to work in South Africa. CFJ states that it cannot cover the costs of international relocation or obtaining work authorization.
This requirement should be checked before preparing an application.
2027 CFJ host organizations
The fellowship has placements in South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, and The Gambia.
For 2027, participating host organizations include:
South Africa
- Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Kenya
- Katiba Institute
The Gambia
- Female Lawyers Association Gambia (FLAG)
- Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA)
Malawi
- Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA)
- Women Lawyers Association (WLA)
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
- Legal Aid Bureau (LAB)
- University of Malawi (UNIMA)
Applicants select their preferred host organization in the application. They must be admitted to practise law and have the right to work in the country where that organization is located.
Skills CFJ looks for
CFJ expects applicants to have strong legal research, writing, communication, and analytical skills.
Candidates should also demonstrate:
- Commitment to justice and human rights
- Ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
- Good interpersonal and teamwork skills
- Interest in advancing the rights of women and children
- Willingness to travel when required
- Ability to work with affected communities
Experience working with survivors, children, victims of violence, or other vulnerable groups can be useful.
What will CFJ Fellows do?
Fellows work with their assigned host organization throughout the year.
Their duties depend on the organization, but CFJ lists work such as direct legal assistance, legal research, representation, drafting, and advocacy.
Each fellow is also expected to identify and support at least one strategic litigation case with CFJ. The case should address the rights of women or children through a national or regional court, international court, or other relevant body.
Fellows are also expected to complete at least 2 outreach activities for students focused on the rights of women and children.
Is the CFJ Fellowship online or in person?
The fellowship is primarily in person.
Fellows are expected to work from the offices of their host organizations. A host organization may permit hybrid work in individual cases.
Much of the CFJ mentorship, peer networking, and training takes place online because fellows are based across 4 countries. CFJ also plans at least one in-person gathering for the fellowship class during the year.
Documents required for the CFJ Fellowship
Applicants complete an online application and provide personal and professional information.
The application asks for:
- Personal and contact information
- Citizenship and country of residence
- Country where the applicant is admitted to practise law
- Date of admission to legal practice
- Current professional occupation
- Preferred host organization
- Summary of recent legal professional experience
- Statement of interest
- CV or resume
- Details of 2 professional references
The official application form states that the CV or resume should be no more than 2 pages.
Also Read> British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in UK
CFJ Fellowship statement of interest
The application includes a written statement of interest.
Applicants are asked to explain why they want the fellowship and how the programme fits their future career.
They must also describe a strategic litigation case or legal advocacy project they would be interested in supporting to advance the rights of women and children, particularly in cases involving violence against women and children.
A useful statement should connect the applicant’s legal experience with the work of the selected host organization. Specific legal experience and clear examples are more useful than general claims about an interest in human rights.
How to apply for the CFJ Fellowship 2027
1. Check your eligibility
Confirm that you have a recognized law degree, meet the early-career experience requirement, and are admitted to practise law in the country of your intended host organization.
2. Check your right to work
Applicants need existing work authorization for the relevant host country. CFJ does not fund the cost of obtaining work authorization or international relocation.
3. Select a host organization
Choose one of the participating organizations listed on the official application form.
For applicants targeting South Africa, the listed host is the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria.
4. Prepare your CV
Prepare a concise CV covering your education, legal experience, relevant human rights work, legal skills, and professional achievements.
The application requires a CV of no more than 2 pages.
5. Prepare your statement of interest
Explain your reasons for applying, your career plans, and the legal advocacy or strategic litigation work you would like to pursue.
6. Add 2 professional references
Provide the names and contact details of 2 people who have worked with you professionally. CFJ states that references will only be contacted if an applicant is shortlisted.
7. Submit the online application
Complete the official CFJ Fellowship application form and submit it before the closing time.
Applicants should complete the form carefully because the official application page warns that progress is not saved if the applicant leaves the page before submitting.
CFJ Fellowship 2027 application deadline
Applications for the 2027 cohort opened on 8 September 2026.
The final deadline is:
20 October 2026 at 12:00 PM South Africa Standard Time (SAST).
Selected fellows are expected to begin their placements in January 2027. CFJ states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Important points before applying
Applicants should check the host-country requirements before submitting the form. Admission to legal practice and the right to work in that country are required.
The fellowship runs full-time for the entire year, from January through December 2027. Fellows should also expect occasional travel for programme activities or legal work.
Applicants applying for South Africa should confirm that they can legally practise and work there before selecting the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights as their preferred host.
Conclusion
The CFJ Fellowship 2027 in South Africa is a paid, one-year programme for early-career African women lawyers who want practical experience in human rights law, legal advocacy, and strategic litigation.
Successful fellows receive a paid placement, mentorship, professional training, and access to CFJ’s legal and human rights network. The South African placement is hosted by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria.
Eligible applicants should submit the online application by 20 October 2026 at 12:00 PM SAST.