Opportunity Details:
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
[ENGLISH]
MRI/JWB2009/ 001 - ENG
Migrants Rights International (MRI) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
Project Coordinator, Justice Without Borders Project
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
Migrants Rights International (MRI) is a non-governmental organization and global alliance of migrant associations and migrant rights, human rights, labor, religious, and other organizations which operate at the local, national, regional or international levels. Its mission is to advocate for the respect, protection and fulfillment of the full range of human rights of migrants around the world and to foster unity and the inclusion of migrant voices at all levels of policy making. Its membership currently brings together over 500 organizations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
MRI defends and promotes the recognition and respect for the rights of all migrants and members of their families. It has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, and works in diverse international fora including the UN system as well as other inter-governmental negotiations. It supports migrants’ and migrants’ rights organizations in their work and promotes their participation in international policy debates. For more information on MRI, see www.migrantwatch. org.
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) was established in 2000 as a part of the global network of autonomous Soros Foundations. OSIWA promotes open societies where democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms and widespread civic participation prevail. The Foundation covers 18 countries, which include the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as Cameroon, Chad, and Mauritania. It supports civil society communities and advocates to governments on issues of governance; law, justice and human rights; public health and development; information, communication technology, and media. OSIWA also seeks a greater commitment to West Africa from wealthier nations. OSIWA launched an OSIWA Advocacy Campaign on Migration and Free Movement in 2000. For more information on OSIWA, see www.osiwa.org.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
There is a crisis in migrants’ rights all over the world today. Racial and ethnic discrimination, religious discrimination, denial of social rights, poor labor standards, and a host of violations that occur during detentions and deportations are occurring all over the world against migrants. Human rights violations that occur in detention and deportation processes include arbitrary detention, inhuman conditions of detentions, denial of medical care during detention, physical and psychological torture, sexual abuse, collective deportations and other violations of due process in deportation proceedings, and family separation. Almost complete impunity prevails for these violations, because once a person is deported, it is virtually impossible to seek justice, because of legal and political barriers, as well as personal barriers (like inability to afford a lawyer, or trauma).
Europe and Africa are two areas where such violations have skyrocketed. The African community is a primary target in Europe. Abuses also take place in African territories, especially in North Africa.
MRI and OSIWA is in the process of designing a “Justice Without Borders” project, to develop a plan for a multi-year, multi-national legal and advocacy collaborative that will bring together partners in Africa and Europe to provide expanded legal assistance to Africans deportees, and to conduct strategic litigation and advocacy on human rights violations perpetrated against Africans during detention and deportation, in order to combat impunity and to push for change in violatory policies and practices. The first stage will look at partnerships in France, Spain, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Mali, and possibly Morocco, as well as international and regional legal and advocacy teams directed toward the African, European, and international human rights systems. In future stages of the project, partnerships in additional countries including Italy, Libya, Tunisia, and United Kingdom will be explored.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are seeking a Project Coordinator to serve as the staff person in charge of overall implementation of Phase I of the Project (planning period to develop a multi-year project design). The Project Coordinator will work under the direction of the International Project Team (4 persons), particularly under the Project Co-Leaders (2 persons).
The Project Coordinator will:
* Work with Project Leaders, International Project Team, an international committee made up of potential partners and advisors, and National Teams to facilitate and participate in discussion on strategy and design of the Project
* To conduct research and development of ideas to facilitate discussion and long-term design of the Project
* Communicate individually or in small groups with partners and advisors to the project
* Help draft terms of agreement with research consultants, and supervise completion of contracts; edit and prepare research reports for publication
* Assist in editing and preparation for publication of research studies
* Plan international strategy meeting of project partners, including through facilitation of discussion agenda, preparation of materials, and organizing logistics for the meeting
* Write report of strategy meeting
* Research cost-effective methods for conducting litigation, such as Law Clinics (law students), volunteer attorneys, etc.
* Research potential advocacy partners, and conduct outreach and recruitment
* Coordinate translations (by professional and volunteer translators) between English, French, and Spanish
* Research and set up online tools for communication – set up international conference calls, Skype, etc.
* Assist with thinking and design of website, and online tools
* Develop public information materials
* Assist with drafting fundraising proposals
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Law degree
* Bilingual in French and English.
* Demonstrated commitment to migrants’ rights, human rights, and/or social justice
* At least 3 years of professional experience, and experience with social justice movements, including civil society networks
* Familiarity with Africa and/or European civil society sector
* Basic computer skills and ability to use Microsoft Word and email. Ability to learn additional online tools.
* Ability to supervise staff, consultants, and volunteers.
* Ability to supervise volunteer and paid translators, and to check translations between English and French.
* Ability and previous experience in strategic analysis and project design and implementation
* Highly organized, detail-oriented, and have the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
* Ability to function in diverse settings, with diverse actors including attorneys, public officials, migrants and deportees, civil society groups and networks, and others.
* Ability to work independently with remote supervisors and team, including responding in detail to written materials and correspondence
PREFERRED SKILLS
* Native level fluency in French.
* Knowledge of Spanish and Arabic
* Knowledge of African and European migration policy, and the situation on migrants’ rights
* Knowledge of African legal systems and European legal systems, particularly in the current target countries, and also in potential future target countries.
* Experience in planning and conducting impact litigation, at the national and/or regional level
* Experience in conducting national and/or international advocacy campaigns
* Knowledge of the European and African regional systems, especially the human rights protection system
* Knowledge of the United Nations system, especially its human rights protection system
* Experience documenting human rights abuses
* Ability to conduct and edit legal research
* Experience in event planning and coordination
* Rapporteur experience and/or the ability to prepare conference reports
* Computer skills including knowledge of Excel, Acrobat, Skype, Dreamweaver, Joomla, and other programs; a general understanding of available online technology (such as legal databases); and the ability to research and learn new online tools
* Experience teaching, producing training materials for, and supervising lawyers and law students
LOCATION :
Bamako, Mali
COMMITMENT REQUIRED
May 2009 through January 2010. The first three months will be a trial period.
Full time (40 hours per week) or part-time depending on qualifications and availability of selected applicant.
There is a possibility that the position will extend beyond January 2010 (but this is not guaranteed).
COMPENSATION
US $2500 to $3400 per month for full time, depending on experience and capacity.
DEADLINE
Sunday, 3 May 2009
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit the following materials by email to humanresources. mri@gmail. com. In the subject line, please write your name and “JWB Project Coordinator application”.
Please submit:
- A cover letter with salary requirements
- A CV
- A writing sample in English, and in French
- A list of three references (We will not contact your references unless you reach the interview stage).
African nationals, those of African descent, migrants and refugees encouraged to apply. MRI is an equal opportunity employer.
For more information on the Justice Without Borders Project, contact Naomi Onaga at mri.justice@ yahoo.com.
Rev. 2 – 20 April 2009
