Country: Sri Lanka
Closing date: 18 Jan 2017
Position Title: RTI Expert (Sri Lanka)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Background
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes the political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions worldwide.
DRI is implementing a two-year project to strengthen democratic consolidation in Sri Lanka by generating broad stakeholder participation in democratic reforms and contributing to the effective implementation of international human rights and labour conventions. Specifically, DRI is working to build awareness about the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and contribute to a facts-based debate about the link between the trade concession and human rights. DRI is currently working with a Sri Lankan partner to produce a Briefing Paper on the right to information (RTI), public consultation, and proactive disclosure.
Location
The RTI Expert will be home-based with travel to Colombo. In Sri Lanka, the Expert will work from DRI’s Country Office.
Contract Period
January – March 2017: maximum of 15 working days
Objective and Role
The Right to Information Expert will contribute to the Briefing Paper by providing a review of best practices for public consultations and campaigning on RTI. Specifically, the Expert will be expected to:
- Review and contribute to the outline of the Briefing Paper with DRI’s partner in Sri Lanka
- Draft a section of the Briefing Paper, providing specific examples of public consultations on RTI and proactive disclosure in other contexts and countries
- Based on comparative expertise, provide insight into the institutional and technical resources for RTI and proactive disclosure
- Participate in a launch event and/or seminar discussion for the Briefing Paper
- Upon request, deliver workshops or trainings on access to information, media engagement, and advocacy for legal reforms
- Other tasks as required (TBD)
Qualifications
- University degree in media, communications, public relations, law, social and/or political science, public administration or related discipline
- Excelelnt written and oral English
General professional experience
- At least 8 years of professional experience working in media or communications
Specific professional experience
- At least 4 years of experience working with government and civil society on RTI and/or freedom of expression
- Demonstrated practical experience drafting advocacy papers on legal and policy reforms related to media and RTI, preferably in diverse contexts and countries
- Proven experience with capacity building for civil society and/or information commissions on areas such as advocacy, communications, legal and policy reform
- Excellent skills in research, writing, and presenting to diverse audiences
- Detailed knowledge of digital media, including social media, and outreach strategies is an asset
- A strong understanding of the third parties and audiences targeted by public/state institutions and parliament
- IT skills, including graphics and data visualisation, are an asset
How to apply:
Deadline for applications: 18 January 2017.
For interested applicants, please send your application (cover letter and CV) to asia@democracy-reporting.org with “RTI Expert (Sri Lanka)” as the subject heading and supporting documents in the following format: SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_DOCUMENTNAME.
Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.