INTER - AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS



GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

CALL FOR RESUMES (IACHR/ OSR)

ATTORNEY SPECIALIZED IN FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is requesting resumes from lawyers interested in working on human rights issues and freedom of expression in the Office of the Special Rapporteur (OSR). The mandate includes the preparation of special studies, supporting individual cases involving freedom of expression, conducting visits and participating in training activities in various countries throughout the western hemisphere to disseminate Inter-American standards regarding freedom of expression and preparing reports regarding freedom of expression in the region.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was established as a permanent unit of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights with functional autonomy and its own operational structure whose main objective is to promote and defend the right to freedom of expression in the Americas given that this right has high importance in the consolidation and development of the democratic system and in the protection, guarantee and promotion of the other human rights. In March 1998, the scope and functions of this Office were defined and also a voluntary grant fund was established. Thus the mandate and operations of the Office depend exclusively on the external funds raised by the Rapporteurship.

Basic information and schedule

Publication Date: 23 September 2009

Deadline for resume

submission: 13 October 2009

First pre-selection: 19 October 2009

Selection: 26 October de 2009

Start date:  25 November - 7 December 2009.

Contract duration: 6 months

Based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds, the contract can be renewed for a maximum of one year.

Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and responsibilities to be assigned, and also consistent with O.A.S salary scales.

Location:  Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Inter American Commission for Human Rights, Executive Secretariat of Organization of American States, Washington, D.C., United States of America.

Functions

1. Work with the Special Rapporteur of Freedom of Expression in developing all activities consistent with the mandate of the Office;

2. Design the protocols of performance that are required to attend the petitions and requests done to the Rapporteurship;

3. Under supervision of the Special Rapporteur, pursuit and conduct the analysis of at least two of the individual cases to present to the CIDH;

4. Under the supervision of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, the Lawyer will prepare draft reports regarding petitions and cases that are assigned to the Rapporteurship;

5. Participate in the design and development of seminars for training aimed at human rights member NGOs, journalists, lawyers, government officials, and other actors in the system;

6. Participate in the preparation of special topics, regional reports, and the annual report of the Rapporteurship;

7. Organize the search of information and missions, to participate in the official visits programmed to analyze the situation of the right of access to the freedom of expression and to participate in seminars and sessions of dialogue in certain countries

8. Participate in academic and/or officials visits as might be assigned by the Special Rapporteur;

9. Work with the other members of the Rapporteurship for the fulfillment and the effective implementation of their objectives.

Minimum requirements:

Citizen from any member state of O.A.S

1. Education

Degree in Law from a duly accredited university and preferably post graduated studies on Law (LLM).

Special consideration will be given to candidates with special postgraduate studies or master’s degree in human rights, international law or special studies in freedom of expression. Special studies in journalism and social communication will be given special consideration.

2. Experience

4 years working as a lawyer. At least two years of experience on the Inter-American system of human rights. Specific experience in freedom of expression is required.

Experience in academic research and, specially, experience in litigation in the Inter-American system of human rights or research related to the freedom of expression will be given special consideration.

3. Languages

Excellent oral and written communication in two of the official languages of work of the IACHR is required (Spanish, English, French or Portuguese). One of the languages should be either Spanish or English. The knowledge of a third or fourth language will also be given special consideration.

4. Specific Knowledge

Knowledge of international law of human rights and internal law of the Member States of the O.A.S., and specifically related with to the right to the freedom of expression.

Knowledge of the mechanisms for international protection of human rights, with special emphasis in the Inter-American system will be highly considered.

Ability to participate and conduct research on legal issues will also be given special consideration.

5. Special skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills.  Ability to appreciate the implications and repercussions of his/her work involving individual human rights cases. Demonstrated capacity to work as a member of a group, as might be requested.

Requirement Documentation

1. Cover letter;

2. Updated resume;

3. Copy of degrees awarded or any document (e.g., professional lawyer’s card or university certification);

4. Copy of academic records with grades obtained (optional)

5. Copy (s) of any diploma, certificate of academic degree or documents that demonstrate compliance with requirements regarding education and work experience;

6. A document or report written by the candidate in a one of the official languages (this document should not be a version edited by third parties).

7. A document or report written by the candidate in the second language (this document should not be a version edited by third parties).

8. Contact information (name, position, address, telephone and electronic mail) of the last three individuals who exercised supervision of the candidate’s work.

Interested individuals should send the above documents to the following address:

Inter American Commission of Human Rights, Organization of American States

Office of the Rapporteur for freedom of Expression

1889 F Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 , U.S.A.

On the envelope and cover letter please write clearly

Call for Resume – Attorney specialized in Freedom of Expression (P1)

Alternatively, the documents can be sent by electronic mail to the following address, in a single email: cidh-expresion@ with copy to fcastro@. On the subject line please write: CIDH/RELE -Call for Resume - Attorney specialized inFreedom of Expression.

The Inter-American Commission will only consider resumes submitted by the due date, that contain the documents required and that fulfill all requirements.

Procedure of selection

Only resumes that fulfill the established minimum requirements in this call and that include the requisite documentation will be evaluated. Optional documents or additional certificates can be submitted up to 13 October 2009.

Documents submitted by candidates will be reviewed and verified to ensure compliance with established requirements.

Candidates with the highest level of directly-relevant experience and who have grand academic training will be given greater preference. Also, those who fulfill desirable requisites will have greater preference.

The Special Rapporteur for the Freedom of Expression will contact to final candidates in order to make additional oral or written questions.

The final notification of the selection and award will be made on 27 of October of 2009.

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