Country: Pakistan
Closing date: 03 Aug 2017
Location: Remotely within Pakistan, with possibility to travel to Islamabad
Contract Period: August-September 2017 ( Short-term Consultancy, maximum 10 days)
Background
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions world-wide.
With support from the German Federal Foreign Office, DRI Pakistan is currently implementing a project entitled “Supporting Advocacy for Human Rights and Good Governance in Pakistan”. The project aims to strengthen Pakistan’s state institutions and public bodies, specifically its national and provincial human rights commissions, while supporting civil society to advocate for priority human rights and democratic governance reforms.
The Assignment
Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), established in 2015, is an independent statutory body which is mandated to protect and promote of human rights in accordance with Pakistan’s Constitution and international human rights obligations. The National Commission for Human Rights Act 2012 (NCHR Act) empowers the Commission to investigate into human rights violations, review legal frameworks, carry out research, report on human rights compliance, and to create awareness on human rights. Under the law, NCHR is also empowered to make internal policies/rules and operational procedures for fulling its mandate.
DRI has provided technical assistance to the NCHR since its establishment in 2015, accompanying and supporting the Commission’s initial setup and the drafting of its first strategic plan. At present, DRI is supporting the NCHR to implement its strategic plan, including the operationalisation of an effective complaints handling mechanism. To this end, the NCHR has developed draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its complaints handling unit with support from DRI.
DRI seeks the services of a Pakistan-based Legal Analyst to support the review and finalisation of the SOPs in accordance with NCHR Act 2012 and other applicable national laws. In addition, the Legal Analyst will facilitate a training with NCHR members and staff on the SOPs of the complaint handling unit.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Review draft of the NCHR’s SOPs on complaints handling in accordance with NCHR Act 2012 and applicable sections from other legal codes (such as Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), Code of Criminal Procedure and Pakistan Panel Code) relevant to the powers and competences of the Commission;
- Compile a brief summarising the applicable sections of the NCHR Act and other relevant codes and conduct a briefing for the DRI Pakistan team on these provisions;
- Present an overview of the applicable sections of the codes before the NCHR;
- Conduct a training for NCHR staff on the SOPs of the complaint handling unit as well as the applicable sections from the NCHR Act and relevant codes;
- Help NCHR and DRI teams in finalising the SOPs based on the NCHR Act 2012 and the other applicable national laws.
- Coordinate with concerned DRI staff members for timely completion and correspondence on all tasks..
Assignment Deliverables:
- A short legal review report on SOPs for the NCHR’s complaint handling system;
- A brief summarising applicable sections of the NCHR Act and other relevant legal codes
- Briefings for DRI and NCHR and one training for NCHR members and staff, developing materials for these sessions as necessary.
Qualifications and Experience
- A university degree in Law or equivalent;
- Practical experience in legal field, domestically or internationally;
- Excellent understanding of national/regional/international human rights frameworks, institutional structures and mechanisms;
- Previous experience working with Pakistan’s human rights institutions or related bodies an asset;
- Excellent understanding of Pakistan’s judicial system and expertise in analysis of domestic legal frameworks in conformity with international standards;
- Proven experience and expertise in research, particularly in the field of human rights.
How to apply:
For interested applicants, please submit your application (cover letter, CV and expected daily rate) to asia@democrcay-reporting.org with “**Legal Analyst** – Pakistan” as the subject heading and supporting documents in the following format: SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_LEGAL_ANALYST
Closing date for applications: 3 August 2017.
The position may be filled before the end of the deadline so early applications are encouraged.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
DRI reserves the decision to re-advertise the position, cancel the recruitment at any stage, offer appointment at a position lower than the one advertised or offer the position with a modified job description or period of appointment.
DRI is an equal opportunity employer. Equally competent females and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
This is a locally recruited position. DRI offers a competitive salary according to donor regulations and incumbent experience.