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The  Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, seeks to appoint an appropriately qualified researcher to conduct a study on the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

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Organisation: Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Job title: Researcher
Duration: 3 Months
Contract type: Individual consultant
Closing date: 23 February 2021

The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, is an internationally recognized institution combining academic excellence and impactful activism to advance human rights, particularly in Africa. Through education, research and advocacy, it supports the African Union’s infrastructure, and improves the enjoyment of human rights on the African continent.

ECOSOCC is the civil society policy organ of the African Union. It is an advisory organ of the Union designed to serve as a policy development interface that harnesses civil society expertise to the work of various Departments of the Commission and through it, to its union at large. The core function of ECOSOCC is to contribute through advice to the effective translation of the objectives, principle and policies of the Union into concrete programmes.

Project title

A study guide on AU-ECOSOCC to African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the Diaspora and the media. 

Output

A research paper of approximately 20 000 words, submitted by 31 May 2021.

Methodology

The study should be based on primary sources, including the AU’s founding documents, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, Agenda 2063, ECOSOCC Statutes, and a range of semi-structured interviews with relevant ECOSOCC and AU officials. For secondary sources, the study should rely on a broad analysis of the literature on ECOSOCC and its impact on Africa.

Required qualifications and experience

Applicants must have the following qualifications and experience:

  1. An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in international human rights law, international relations, international development/ development studies, political science or a related field;
  2. An in-depth understanding of the African human rights system;
  3. A proven record of research and publications in international human rights law, international relations, international development and related subject field with strong analytical skills;
  4. Excellent English speaking/writing skills;
  5. Demonstrable experience of undertaking similar assignments.

Desirable skills and experience

The following skills and experience will be an added advantage:

  1. Fluent knowledge of another AU language in addition to English
  2. Experience of working with ECOSOCC, CSOs, African Parliaments and Parliamentarians

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit the following documents to bonolo.makgale@up.ac.za by 23 February 2021, indicating “Researcher for AU-ECOSOCC Study” in the subject of the email:

  1. Cover letter detailing the applicant’s suitability for the assignment, with reference to the required and desirable qualifications, skills and experience set out above, as well as current contact information, and two contactable referees on previous assignments
  2. A detailed CV
  3. A short writing sample (published or unpublished article or research paper)
  4. A technical proposal including a brief research plan setting out the main research questions, and methodology to be adopted.
  5. A financial proposal indicating the consultant’s proposed fee for the assignment.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

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