National Expert to prepare desk research on the existing legal and institutional prison framework
Alert
Vacancy
The Presence is implementing the Unified Budget project “Promoting and enhancing human rights protection in Albania – Phase III.”
This project aims to support national authorities, institutions and citizens to better understand, protect and respect human rights in Albania. The Presence will continue to observe and support through this project the rights of people in detention, consolidating the progress made over the past years to improve the conditions in prisons in line with international standards and good practice. Building upon the previous work of the Presence in supporting prison reform in Albania, the Presence will focus on the protection and promotion of human rights in prisons in light of the recent commencement of the implementation of a Special Regime in high security prisons for serious crimes. The Presence will conduct a needs assessment on human rights aspects within the Special Regime, and provide findings, recommendations and technical support to state authorities to encourage adherence to human rights standards in the implementation of the special regime measures.
For this purpose, the Presence will hire one National Expert/researcher with extensive experience in both criminal law, human rights and legislation related to penitentiary system. The national expert will conduct desk research on human rights in prisons, contextualizing standards and principles related to special regimes in high security prisons, i.e., right to security and safety, access to health care and personal wellbeing, interpersonal relations, material conditions, etc. The desk research will be conducted in compliance with the Nelson Mandela and European Prison Rules, CPT standards, OSCE commitments, UNODC assessment toolkits, and others, accordingly. The Special Regime puts several restrictions on the offenders, which might lead to violations of human rights, which, according to European Court of Human Rights, may amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; or even torture. The expert will also provide an analysis of the existing framework and mapping of stakeholders to be used for the preparation of the Needs Assessment report on the Special Regime in high security prisons. In addition, the Presence will also hire an International Expert to conduct a human rights-based Needs Assessment on the Special Regime in high security prisons with a focus on the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Needs Assessment will be conducted in compliance with international human rights standards.
Tasks/Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the OSCE National Legal Officer, the expert will be expected to:
- Preliminary discussion/meeting with the OSCE National Legal Officer and the international expert to collect input and establish a working relationship for the needs assessment; - Develop a structure and methodology for the desk research in prisons; - Participate in a conference call (between May and June 2020), organized by the Presence’s point of contact to discuss about the structure, content and format of the needs assessment. - Establish a working relationship with and collect information from the General Directorate of Prisons; - Analyze the existing legal framework on the Special Regime within the high security prisons; - Map and interview relevant stakeholders; - Support and collaborate with the international expert for the desk research; - Draft a background research report on human rights aspects within the Special Regime in high security prisons. The report should be in English and at least 5 pages long, Times New Roman 12, 1.5 space, justified. The research report should have the following indicative structure: - Executive summary - Introduction and background - Methodology - Analysis of national legal, regulatory framework and prison conditions - Analysis of stakeholders - Major findings - Recommendations
Expected Outputs/Deliverables:
- A research report on human rights aspects within the Special Regime in high security prisons to be delivered by June 2020.
Location
The expert will work remotely, from his/her office for the entire consultancy duration. The interviews and other communication with state authorities or project staff will be realized via telecommunication (phone call, video call/conference).
Necessary Qualifications:
- Advanced university degree in law or social sciences (preferably doctoral studies dedicated to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in prisons);
- Minimum five years of professional experience as an academic in Albania or a law and human rights practitioner;
- Professional experience in human rights;
- Professional experience in conducting research in the justice system;
- Professional experience in drafting baseline/assessment reports in the justice system;
- Professional experience in criminal justice and/or multidisciplinary disciplines;
- Very good writing skills and experience in academic writing.
- Very good knowledge of English including good communication and drafting skills.
Total fee EUR 1,500 paid in one single instalment upon the successful completion of the expected deliverable.
All applications are due by 04 May 2020. If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://jobs.osce.org/.
Should you have any question, kindly contact recruitment-al@osce.org
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
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.
Due to the current unpredictable situation, the start date may probably be revised according to the daily and rapidly evolving situation