Closing date: 18 Sep 2017
Title of Position: Expert on Constitution Building Processes
Duty Station: Home-based; Colombo, Sri Lanka
Contract Period: Short-term assignment in September and October 2017
Background
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes the political participation of citizens, the accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions world-wide.
Through careful assessments based on detailed field research, DRI provides the public with specialist policy advice on improvements that can be made to enhance democratic governance. DRI advocates for such changes with domestic actors, the media and relevant international bodies and co-operates with national organisations, wherever possible.
With support from the German Federal Foreign Office, DRI is currently implementing the project “Accompanying Sri Lanka’s Democratic Transition”. The project aims to strengthen democratic consolidation in Sri Lanka by generating broad stakeholder participation around human rights compliance and constitutional reform and informing the process with comparative expertise.
Constitutional reform is a major component of the coalition government’s agenda. Led by the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly, Sri Lanka is currently in a constitutional review process and the Committee’s report is expected to be released shortly, outlining the main elements that will underpin the new constitution. The report is of great public interest and will be the subject of discussion and debate among the general public as well as stakeholders such as professional bodies, including the Bar Association, academics, and civil society.
DRI intends to support this public process with comparative expertise from other recent constitutional building processes. This includes information on how constitutional processes have supported peace and nation building and with facts based information on the Committee’s report and (a forthcoming) Draft Constitution. DRI therefore requires the services of a senior expert in constitution building processes to support the implementation of its constitutional activities in Sri Lanka.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of DRI Sri Lanka’s Country Representative, the Expert on Constitution Building Processes will perform tasks and deliverables, which include the following:
Analyse the Draft Report of the Constitutional Assembly’s Steering Committee and any relevant material provided by DRI by comparing it with relevant experiences elsewhere;
Conduct a series of meetings and facilitate workshops on Sri Lanka’s constitutional review process organised by DRI for members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, members of the Parliamentary Select Committee and other stakeholders. This may include travel outside Colombo.
Provide a written report of activities conducted, including recommendations to strengthen public engagement in the constitution building process taking forward DRI’s programme in Sri Lanka.
Qualifications and Experience
- University degree in law, political science or a related discipline;
- At least 15 years’ experience in constitution building processes especially in transitional countries, such as in Asia and Africa, including in modalities for ensuring the participation of women, minorities, youth and disabled persons in such processes;
- Excellent analytical skills and ability to conceptualise policy formulation and recommendations within the subject area;
- Demonstrated experience of providing expert support to policymakers and familiarity with Sri Lanka’s legal framework and constitutional reforms debates;
- Excellent English language skills (spoken and written);
- Excellent report writing, communication and presentation skills;
- Ability/willingness to travel to Sri Lanka;
- Experience in working with international organisations such as the United Nations and the EU preferred.
Duty Station
- The assignment will require home-based desk work. However, the expert will be required to travel to Sri Lanka to conduct meetings and facilitate workshops across the country.
Days and Duration
- The expert is expected to work 10 days total throughout September and October 2017. 5 home-based days and 5 in-country days;
- These 10 days will comprise of: 3 days preparation, 5 days conducting meetings and facilitating workshops, and 2 days of follow-up for report writing.
Deadline for applications:** 18 September 2017
How to apply:
For interested applicants, please send your application (cover letter and CV) to asia@democracy-reporting.org with “**Expert Constitution Building Processes (Sri Lanka)**” as the subject heading and supporting documents in the following format: SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_ECBP
Early applications are encouraged. Recruitment may close before the deadline if an applicant is found. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.