Project reference: Technical assistance: Strengthening of the African Human Rights System
Country or Region: Banjul, Gambia (Africa)
Duration: 21 months
Project description:
The purpose of the Strengthening the African Human Rights System programme is to provide specific technical assistance to contribute to ensuring a transparent, democratic and accountable environment with respect to human rights and rule of law in Africa. This technical assistance is part of a wider approach to governance and human rights under the Pan-African Programme that includes: (i) Election Observation support;(ii) Support to the African Governance Architecture ("AGA") through the AGA secretariat; (iii) Support to Civil Society Organisations; (iv) Support to public administration and anti-corruption is possible in the future; and (v) Support to Pan-African Gender interventions.
The specific objective of this technical assistance service contract is to enhance the operational capabilities of the beneficiary institutions in the short-term as well as providing additional direct human capital support for building the institutions of the African human rights system within the framework of the African Governance Architecture.
Overall, the programme expects to:
Contribute to expediting universal ratification, domestication, and effective implementation of democracy and human rights instruments as well as regular reporting;
Contribute to strengthening institutional capacity and capability of the human rights organs of the African human rights system (ACHPR, Court, Child Committee), in particular of their secretariats and the capabilities of the special mechanisms (e.g. women's rights, human rights defenders), as well as the work of the PAP in this area;
Contribute to increase coordination and engagement between the four pillars of the African human rights system – AU Member States, treaties, supervisory bodies, and civil society;
Contribute to increase awareness of and access to the African HRs system and by extension to the AGA, in particular by civil society and other relevant actors
Job description:
Legal expert with administrative, publications, communications & media expertise
- Enhance transparency by timely communication of sessions, cases, decisions, state reports, including on the website;
- Enhance public relations and communications capacity including through the development of a communications and media strategy and expertise for elaborating targeted communications strategy
- Regional human rights initiatives linked with the EU-AU priorities defined in the EU-AU Human Right Dialogue in coordination with the special mechanisms (i.e. business and human rights, freedom of association and assembly, abolition of death penalty, women's rights, etc). Consequently, this support will build on synergies created under the ongoing EIDHR civil society programmes addressing AU human rights bodies.
- Gender initiatives will be supported in line with the follow up of the African Union Year 2015 dedicated to women's empowerment through possibly a support to the ACHPR special rapporteur on joint mainstreaming actions of the different AU organs (outreach and sensitization activities).
Qualifications and skills
Qualifications:
· University education at Master Degree level in Law, Human Rights Law other related disciplines, or equivalent.
Skills:
· Proficient knowledge of English and French.
· Excellent presentation, writing and communication skills;
· Good computer skills;
· Good management and negotiation skills
· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-cultural environments
General and specific professional experience
General professional experience:
· Professional experience (preferably 10 years plus) in the field of Human Rights at regional level (particularly in the areas of enhancing effective implementation and follow up of decisions, the development and implementation of communications and media strategy
Specific professional experience:
· Proven project management experience as a key expert or team leader in similar or related projects, preferably in the AU or African Union Member States.
· Specific experience in the field of developing tools and mechanisms for effective implementation and follow up.
· Specific experience in public relations and communications as well as media and human rights.
*The expert must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities for which it undertakes.
HOW TO APPLY:
Documents to be provided: CV and cover letter.
Contacts :
Nom prénom : Leonie GUERLAY / Julie ABRIVARD
The process of selection of expressions of interest will occur in two phases:
· As a first step, a shortlist will be freely established by Expertise France.
· Selected candidates may then be invited for an interview.
Fees for the services will be negotiated with the designated candidate.
