The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) invites applications from individuals for Human Rights Monitor positions in the following countries: Czech Republic, Serbia, and Slovakia.
The contracted individuals will be required to undertake work in line with ERRC priorities including, but not limited to: state response to violence and hate speech, access to education, access to housing, free movement and migration, access to identity documents, women’s and children’s rights, and disaggregated data collection. Some degree of travel will be required (up to 25% of time).
Reliable, accurate and coherent first-hand research is the foundation of all ERRC activities. ERRC Monitors are responsible for timely investigating and documenting of human rights abuses of Roma in their countries of responsibility. They are expected to maintain contact with relevant actors in their country of responsibility, to stay abreast of the most important developments and to regularly apprise the ERRC of important local developments. Monitors should act as a liaison between the ERRC and local lawyers, and will work with a team of ERRC staff members in Budapest to develop appropriate responses to the most important concerns.
Responsibilities will vary by country, but will include:
- Regularly engaging in independent field investigation, including: taking testimonies from Romani victims and witnesses of human rights abuses, communicating with the relevant authorities and also with experts and other individuals able to provide background information.
- Monitoring the media on Roma rights themes.
- Maintaining regular contact with Romani and non-Romani human rights and service delivery organisations, government actors and local Romani and mainstream press sources.
- Initiating and maintaining regular contact with lawyers working in the field of Roma rights on specific cases for litigation.
- Arranging visits and accompanying ERRC staff in the field.
- Reporting regularly to the ERRC on the above.
- Translating documents between local languages and English on the request of ERRC staff.
- Other tasks as specified by the ERRC.
Skills and experience:
- At least two years’ experience conducting desk and field research on human rights or related issues.
- Experience in supporting research reports and other materials.
- A minimum of a secondary school diploma; university degree preferred.
- Significant experience living and working in Romani communities is desirable.
- Verbal and written proficiency in both English and the national language required; knowledge of Romani preferred; in exceptional cases knowledge of English can be waived.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Self-motivation and the ability to work under minimal supervision.
- Willingness to travel for work, either alone or with colleagues.
Remuneration: Selected candidates must be based in-country and will work nearly on daily basis with the ERRC staff. Selected individuals will be paid a fee and possibly provided with a monthly expense allowance to facilitate their work.
Expected start date: The successful applicant is expected to start no later than the end of January 2017.
How to apply:
Qualified candidates should send the following application materials detailed
below. Persons submitting incomplete application packages will not be considered
for the position.
- Maximum 500 word letter of interest.
- Detailed CV in English.
- Contact details for two present or former employers (references should
be from an immediate supervisor).
Applications should be submitted to: Marek Balaz
marek.balaz@errc.org
Message Title: ERRC Monitor Application
Application deadline: 23:59 CET on 31 December 2016. Applications
received after this date will not be considered.
Short-listed applicants will be notified within one week of the deadline;
unfortunately, we will be unable to contact applicants who are not shortlisted.
The ERRC is committed to equal opportunity for all applicants. Romani
candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
