Serbia Human Rights Specialist
The Human Rights Advisory Panel examines complaints of alleged human rights violations committed by or attributable to UNMIK and makes recommendations to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Kosovo when appropriate. The Panel is composed of three Panel Members who sit in Prishtinë/Priština each month to render determinations on complaints against UNMIK. The Presiding Member directs the work of the Panel and the Prishtinë/Priština-based Secretariat provides it with legal and administrative support.
Any person who believes that UNMIK is responsible for a violation of their human rights were able to complain to the Panel until 31 March 2010 to seek a determination of that allegation, if the alleged violation occurred within a specific period of time when UNMIK was acting as an interim administration. Such persons initiate the complaint procedure by submitting a complaint to the Panel. The Panel then determines whether that complaint is admissible based on the applicable legislation and renders a decision to that effect.
If a complaint is admissible, the Panel will then render an opinion on whether UNMIK is responsible for a violation of one of the various human rights treaties in force in Kosovo. If the Panel determines that a violation has occurred, the opinion may include recommendations to the SRSG. The SRSG must then publicly state how he/she will react to those recommendations.
The Human Rights Advisory Panel is the only human rights mechanism in existence that deals specifically with human rights violations allegedly committed by or attributable to a United Nations mission acting as an interim administration of a territory. The Human Rights Specialist will be supervised by Governance Programme Coordinator.
Description of Responsibilities :
Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of key functions and expected results: Conduct legal research regarding international human rights law and human rights issues; research and advise the Panel members on the applicable law and the international human rights instruments and principles relevant to the cases before the Panel. Provide advice to the Panel on the application of UNMIK Regulation 2006/12 of 23 March, 2006 and UNMIK Regulation No. 2007/3 amending UNMIK Regulation No. 2006/12 of 12 January, 2007 on the Establishment of the Human Rights Advisory Panel. Provide support to the Panel during public hearings, proceedings and deliberations; review, analyze and advise on all documents relevant to cases before the Panel, including court documents, registry documents, and investigation, medical and forensic documents as well as police reports. Draft requests for documents and information in relation to cases from the parties for cases before the Panel. Draft legal opinions, reports, briefing notes, and other legal documents on case issues as instructed by the Panel. Draft findings, recommendations, decisions and opinions for the Panel for submission to the SRSG. Liaise with agencies and organizations involved in the human rights sector in Kosovo. Oversee the Panel electronic case management system and develop library research facilities. During the Panel’s sessions, the Human Rights Specialist must be present at deliberations and meetings with the Panel members to discuss individual cases and/or legal issues. Present drafts of case decisions for discussion, finalize decisions and opinions for adoption, finalize more complicated communications to the SRSG or to the complainants, and engage in other ad hoc tasks on behalf of the Panel. Prepare each case for discussion at the session and prepare their portions of the case examination agendas. To be prepared to discuss legal issues related to cases handled by the other Human Rights Specialist. Follow-up on all matters decided by the Panel in the previous session and this provides a more quantifiable type of work for planning staffing needs. Direct, as necessary, the administrative staff in support of the work of the Panel. Perform other related tasks as requested by the Panel.
Impact of Results:
Achievement of these expected results will contribute to reducing the backlog of cases that the Panel is currently facing. By reducing the backlog, the post is contributing to greater access to justice of the local population and assisting in providing an effective remedy for a class of alleged human rights violations that would not be dealt with otherwise.
Competencies:
Professionalism: Comparative knowledge of the civil law and common law legal systems and principles. Deep knowledge of international human rights instruments and institutional mandates, policies and guidelines applicable in the human rights sector. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments based on sound legal judgment. Experience in legal research and analysis and the ability to draft reports, opinions, decisions and recommendations in a clear and concise manner. Integrity: Motivated by professional rather than personal considerations, loyal, honest, conscientious and transparent. Planning and Organizing: Ability to plan work assignments, establish priorities and to meet strict assignment deadlines. Coordination and monitoring: Ability to build strong relationships with clients and to focus on impact and results; demonstrated aptitude to coordinate activities with other international organizations, donors and national partners; capacity to coordinate monitoring activities in the field, to mentor programme/project staff and provide guidance and support. Judgment/Decision-making: Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems and delivering strategic insight and analysis; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound legal positions. Communications: Compelling communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports, formulate and defend sound recommendations and articulate options concisely conveying maximum necessary information; negotiating skills and ability to work at all levels with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings. Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills; capacity to recognize and respond appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Qualifications:
Education: Master’s Degree in law with specialization in human rights. Experience: Minimum five (5) years progressively responsible work experience in the human rights sector with professional experience in a human rights court setting. Ideally, the Human Rights Specialist would have experience dealing with cases before the European Court of Human Rights, who could assist in dealing with the case load while also sharing their expertise with other Legal Officers at the Secretariat, thus improving the overall quality of the final work products. Experience working in the Balkans and/or in Kosovo and detailed knowledge of the political environment and conflict dynamics in Kosovo. Familiarity with UNDP project management practices and procedures an asset. Language: Fluency in spoken and written English Knowledge of Albanian and / or Serbian an asset.
Post a Comment