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The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, is assessing state compliance with the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa (the Guidelines) that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) adopted during its 61st Ordinary Session in November 2017. The Centre has completed its initial country assessment under the Guidelines focusing on the 2019 elections in South Africa.

In its next assessment, the Centre seeks to examine the performance of stakeholders (Election Management Body; appointing authority; law enforcement agencies; political parties and candidates; media and regulatory bodies; election observers; and civil society) in proactively disclosing election-related information as envisaged under the Guidelines in the 2020 presidential and national assembly elections in Ghana and Tanzania. The study will be undertaken under the Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit of the Centre.

In this regard, the Centre invites researchers based in Tanzania and Ghana to submit proposals for a study on state compliance with the Guidelines. The objective of the study is to evaluate the realisation of the right of access to information during the 2020 elections in Ghana and Tanzania in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research will be assessed primarily on the basis of the Guidelines and also taking into consideration the respective national access to information laws as well as other regional and international human rights obligations of the state parties.

One researcher per country, will be selected to undertake the research. The researchers are expected to submit a report that meets the below criteria:

  • A well-researched, evidence-based report on the state of access of information in the respective country of research;
  • A detailed analysis of the relevant legislative framework;
  • A current assessment of the measures taken by the relevant stakeholders to facilitate access to information during elections and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
  • Recommendations on the way forward.

The research seeks to contribute to a larger body of work assessing how African countries ensure access to information during elections as envisioned by the Guidelines. Researchers can make reference to the report on South Africa’s compliance with the Guidelines during their 2019 elections for guidance. The researchers are expected to submit their final report drafts on 15 December 2020 for Tanzania, and 15 February 2021 for Ghana.

Eligibility

  • Post-graduate degree in law or social sciences with specialisation in human rights and democracy.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of the African human rights system.
  • Based in Tanzania or Ghana.
  • In-depth understanding of elections and the state of access to information in the country of research.
  • Demonstrable experience of undertaking similar assignments in the past.
  • Proficiency in English.

Terms of payment

The successful researcher will be paid $3000 for undertaking the study. The remuneration will be payable upon completion of the study to the satisfaction of the Centre for Human Rights.

Application information

Prospective applicants are requested to submit their expression of interest, a detailed curriculum vitae and a sample of the applicant’s previous work of similar nature to hlengiwe.dube@up.ac.za and marystella.simiyu@up.ac.za.

Closing date for applications is 30 September 2020.


For more information, please contact:

Hlengiwe Dube
Manager:
Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit

Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4199
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
hlengiwe.dube@up.ac.za

Marystella Auma Simiyu
Tutor: HRDA
Project Officer: Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit

Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 3810
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
marystella.simiyu@up.ac.za