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TITLE AND GRADE:
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression – P5 |
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TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:
Long term
(one year) |
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ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:
Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights |
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DUTY STATION:
Washington, D.C. |
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DATE OF PUBLICATION:
January 24, 2006 |
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CLOSING DATE:
February 24, 2006 |
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BACKGROUND
The Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights (IACHR), a senior agency of the OAS, is
holding a competition for the position of Special Rapporteur
for Freedom of Expression. The Special Rapporteur is part
of the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR and works at OAS
headquarters in Washington D.C.
Duties and
Responsibilities:
The Rapporteur shall perform
the following functions:
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Prepare an annual report on
the status of freedom of expression in the Americas, and
present it to the IACHR, through the Executive Secretariat,
for consideration and inclusion in the Annual Report of the
IACHR to the OAS General Assembly.
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Prepare thematic reports on
freedom of expression.
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Compile information as needed
for the preparation of reports.
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Organize promotional
activities including, but not limited to, presenting papers
at conferences and seminars, informing officials,
professionals and students of the IACHR's work in this area,
and preparing other promotional materials.
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Report to the Executive
Secretariat on urgent situations that would require the
IACHR to seek the adoption of precautionary measures or to
request that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights adopt
provisional measures, in order to avoid grave and
irreparable damage to human rights.
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Assist the IACHR in promoting
international instruments relating to freedom of expression. |
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Provide advice and assistance
to the IACHR and its members, Committees of the General
Assembly, the Permanent Council, and other political and
deliberative organs of the Organization of American States
(OAS) on freedom of expression issues by preparing,
reviewing and revising written legal opinions and memoranda
or by giving oral opinions.
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Monitor developments in the
right to freedom of expression in the Americas, produce
special country reports which include sensitive
recommendations on policies and practices for presentation
to the IACHR, GS/OAS political bodies and publication.
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Serve as advisor to the IACHR
in negotiations with governmental agencies and
non-governmental organizations and members to reach friendly
settlements on individual or collective cases in his field
of expertise, which can involve reparations, new legislation
to be enacted or institutions to be established. Prepare
recommendations and reports, the negotiation of options and
strategies with governmental and NGO authorities.
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With respect to individual cases involving
the right to freedom of expression: analyze admissibility,
process and investigate petitions; draft reports on the
merits of the case, participate in the negotiation of
possible friendly settlements with interested governments.
Conduct litigation before the
Inter-American Court on Human Rights on contentious cases.
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Draft press communiqués
concerning activities and decisions in the field of freedom
of expression. |
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Represent the IACHR before the
governing bodies of the GS/OAS and at conferences with other
international organizations on specific initiatives
involving the right to freedom of expression, to promote
coordinated actions and positions.
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Provide assistance and advice
to the Executive Secretary in administrative and budgetary
matters, as well as in the coordination of the work of the
IAHCR involving freedom of expression, including personnel
matters. |
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Minimum
Requirements:
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University degree in law,
journalism or another relevant social science.
Postgraduate studies desirable in the areas of international
law or human rights.
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At least 10 years of
professional experience at the national or international
level involving, inter alia, interaction with senior
government officials, intergovernmental or nongovernmental
organizations; as well as the capacity to supervise projects
and personnel.
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Excellent knowledge of the
procedure and case-law of the IACHR and the jurisprudence of
the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; experience in
litigation before the Inter-American Court is desirable.
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Publication of articles on
human rights in specialized reviews, magazines or similar
media.
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Knowledge of issues relating
to freedom of expression in the Americas and its importance
for strengthening democratic systems; as well as legislation
and other aspects that can affect the exercise of this
right.
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Experience in fundraising for
general activities or specific projects.
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Excellent written and oral
communication skills. Excellent analytical and interpretive
skills. Ability to give public presentations to senior
government officials, experts and representatives of
nongovernmental human rights organizations, and the general
public.
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Excellent command of Spanish
and English. Command of Portuguese and French is desirable.
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Nationality of
a member State of the OAS. |
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The person selected to
fill the vacancy of Special Rapporteur for Freedom of
Expression will hold a P-5 position. Services will be
provided in Washington D.C., U.S.A., and will require
frequent travel.
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Application form in Word format
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Application form
in pdf format
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Please send application and
resume to:
Santiago A. Canton
Executive Secretary
Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights, OAS
1889 F Street NW, Washington
D.C. 20006 U.S.A.
E-mail:
cidhoea@oas.org
Fax: (202) 458-3992
Deadline for submission of
candidacies is February 24, 2006
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