The following vacancies are available:
Terms of Reference
Project Title: State Parties' Compliance with the Concluding Observations and Recommendations issued by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) on the Rights Enshrined in the Maputo Protocol
Organisation: The Centre for Human Right (CHR)
Job Title: Researcher
Duty Station: South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria (One position available per country)
Duration: Varied (Research paper based)
Contract Type: Individual consultant
Closing date: 31 July, 2017
Background Information
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) was adopted by the African Union in July 2003 to advance the rights of women in Africa. According to Article 62 of the African Charter and Article 26 (1) of the Maputo Protocol, states parties are obligated to submit state reports every two years from the time of the ratification of the treaty. The state reporting process is a fundamental component in monitoring the implementation of the Protocol and provides an opportunity for States to indicate legislative and other measures undertaken towards the full realisation of the rights enshrined in the Maputo Protocol. The state periodic reports are submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) under the African Charter and it is based on a review of these reports that the ACHPR then issues concluding observations and recommendations to the state parties.
Concluding observations give an account of the positive aspects, the factors restricting the enjoyment of human rights and the areas of concern regarding exercise of human rights in the country. The commission also makes recommendations to guide state parties in dealing with the concerns raised. State parties are then expected to take steps to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed before the next reporting period. However, there is insufficient knowledge on state’s response, interaction and compliance with the concluding observations and recommendations issued by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) on the Rights enshrined in the Maputo Protocol
Based on this premise, the Women’s Rights unit seeks to conduct a research on states’ compliance with the concluding observations and recommendations relevant to women’s rights that were issued by the African Commission to the following countries: South Africa, Malawi and Nigeria after a review of their last state reports.
Organisational Context
The Women’s Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights (CHR) works to promote the rights and welfare of women and girls on the African Continent. It supports the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa through the provision of research and other technical support. The Unit also strengthens compliance and implementation of the Maputo Protocol by enhancing the capacity of states to report under the protocol as well as popularizing and advocating for the implementation of the protocol.
In pursuant of this role, the CHR plans to commission researchers to write articles on compliance with the concluding observations and recommendations by the South African, Malawian and Nigerian government.
Researcher's Tasks
Focus Group Meeting: The researcher will attend and facilitate the focus group meeting in their respective countries to be organised by the Centre for Human Rights. This meeting will bring together government ministries, CSO’s and other relevant stakeholders to discuss state’s compliance with the concluding observations. The meeting will give the researcher insight into the activities and plans of the government to implement the concluding observations and also challenges that are being faced in its implementation.
Research: The researcher will submit a research paper or article on states’ compliance with the concluding observations and recommendations issued by the African Commission on the rights enshrined in the Maputo Protocol. The focus of each paper will be on lessons learnt around framing, implementation, responsibilities and monitoring of concluding observations in South Africa, Malawi and Nigeria. The research paper should be approximately 15,000 words to be submitted within the agreed timeframe.
Qualifications and Experience
- An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in international human rights law, international development, gender studies or a related field. A legal degree; LLM (preferred)
- An in-depth understanding the African human rights system and of the African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women
- Strong understanding of the socio-political situation of the Country they wish to work in, (Only Nationals or residence of these Countries will be considered)
- Working relationships with relevant government parties and stakeholder would be an advantage
- A proven record of research and publications in international human rights law and related subject fields
- Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches from a diverse range of stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills
- Excellent English speaking/writing skills required
Note: Alumni’s of the Centre for Human Rights’ Masters/PHD Programs (Human Rights and Democratization in Africa (HRDA); Sexual and Reproductive Health’s Rights, Multidisciplinary Human Rights) are strongly encouraged to apply
To Apply
Interested applicants should submit the following documents to sodeibukuntomi@gmail.com indicating Researcher on State Compliance with Concluding Observations in the subject of the email.
- Cover letter detailing the applicant’s suitability for the assignment and current contact information.
- A detailed CV
- A short writing sample (published or unpublished article or research paper. Max. 5 pages)
The deadline for applications is on or before Monday 31st July, 2017. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted
