Expert on Judicial Self-Governance
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Vacancy
| Background | ||
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ODIHR’s Rule of Law Unit is part of the Democratization Department and is tasked with supporting OSCE participating States in fulfilling their OSCE commitments in the area of trial monitoring, criminal justice reform, judicial independence, gender, diversity and justice and administrative justice. Judicial accountability and independence remains one of the key thematic areas of work for ODIHR, within its broader engagement on rule of law issues. While ODIHR’s “Kyiv Recommendations on Judicial Independence in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia” of 2010 (“Kyiv Recommendations”) focus on post-Soviet countries, it is widely accepted that South Eastern Europe faces similar challenges with respect to the role, composition and effective and transparent functioning of judicial self-governance bodies. At the July 2016 OSCE/ODIHR Consultative Workshop – Civil Society’s Role in Strengthening Judicial Independence and Accountability, participants engaged in an extensive discussion of the judicial council model, including its impact on the quality of justice, level of public trust in the judiciary and accountability and independence of individual judges. At that workshop, participants recommended that ODIHR undertake research into comparative standards, practices and jurisprudence regarding a number of issues frequently connected to the work of judicial councils including disciplinary responsibility of judges; judicial appointments, promotion and evaluation and the status, role and function of professional associations of judges. Participants also asked ODIHR to enable further professional exchange of progressive judges and legal professionals. Therefore, on 28-29 September 2017 (TBC) in Podgorica, Montenegro, ODIHR will hold a regional roundtable on the role of judicial councils in South Eastern Europe. Participants will include representatives of judicial self-governance bodies and civil society organizations from relevant jurisdictions. Objective: The objective of this consultancy is to ensure that participants at the Regional Roundtable on the Role of Judicial Councils in South Eastern Europe gain a better understanding of the recent history of judicial self-governance in Croatia, including the role of Croatia’s National Judicial Council in supporting judicial independence and accountability, and are therefore better able to identify appropriate ways to overcome current challenges within their respective jurisdictions. |
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| Tasks and Responsibilities | ||
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Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Rule of Law Unit, the Expert will: 1. Provide inputs concerning the assigned session on good practices and challenges based on the experience of the National Judicial Council in Croatia for the annotated agenda of the Regional Roundtable on the Role of Judicial Councils in South Eastern Europe. The inputs should make reference to appropriate international and regional commentaries and reports on Croatia, Croatian domestic legislation and academic commentary; 2. Prepare and deliver a presentation, integrating a gender perspective, on the recent history of judicial self-governance in Croatia, including the role of Croatia’s National Judicial Council in supporting judicial independence and accountability at the Regional Roundtable on the Role of Judicial Councils in South Eastern Europe; 3. Contribute to the identification of good practices and development of recommendations on improving the activity of Judicial Councils in South Eastern Europe based on the Croatian experience. The expert will actively participate and contribute to the identification of good practices and development of recommendations during five sessions (approximately 1.5 hours each) at the roundtable and will develop a one-page document on best practices to follow and recommendations on improving the activity of judicial councils in South Eastern Europe after the event. |
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| Necessary Qualifications | ||
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• Advanced university degree in law, ideally paired with a higher academic title; • At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the field of law; • Thorough knowledge of international legal standards and OSCE commitments relevant to the rule of law, and preferably particular familiarity with implementation of principles of judicial independence and accountability in participating States in South Eastern Europe; • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of and/or extensive work experience with or concerning judicial self-governance in Croatia; • Preferable, solid academic and practical record, including research and analysis; • Demonstrated experience designing and delivering trainings, instructional materials or lectures to justice sector professionals is an asset; • Ability to apply gender analysis and to identify and address issues relevant to gender to this assignment; • Strong command of English, including past experience delivering public speeches or presentations in English; • Computer literacy; • Strong organizational and written and oral communication skills; • Flexibility, ability to work under minimal supervision and deliver against tight deadlines.
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| Remuneration Package | ||
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The assignment is for 3 working days between 22 August 2017 and 6 October 2017. Remuneration will depend on the selected consultant’s qualifications and experience and be in accordance with OSCE established rates. Remuneration for services will be payable at the end of the assignment and upon acceptance of all deliverables as reaching the required standard of quality by OSCE/ODIHR Democratization senior management in the manner described in the Terms of Reference. Travel expenses will be covered by ODIHR according to OSCE travel policy. Location: Expert’s home office; conference venue in Podgorica, Montenegro (2 days on 28-29 September TBC) |
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| How To Apply | ||
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As part of the application process, interested candidates are required to submit an updated CV and motivation letter (optional) in English by email to recruit@odihr.pl. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. |