TITLE AND GRADE

:

Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression – P5

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT

:

Trust

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

:

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

DUTY STATION

:

Washington, D.C.

DATE OF PUBLICATION

:

March 19, 2008

CLOSING DATE

:

June 1, 2008

BASIC SALARY

Starting

:

US$ 81,197.00 (net of taxes) with dependents

:

US$ 75,432.00 (net of taxes) without dependents

POST ADJUSTMENT

Starting

:

US$ 32,641.00 (net of taxes) with dependents

:

US$ 30,324.00 (net of taxes) without dependents

•

Prepare reports on freedom of expression for consideration by the IACHR and for publication, including thematic reports on issues relating the right to freedom of expression and an annual report on the status of freedom of expression in the Americas.
 

•

Process individual cases on freedom of expression for decision by the IACHR and advise the IACHR in its litigation before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in cases involving freedom of expression.
 

•

Assist the IACHR in promoting international instruments relating to freedom of expression, including through the organization of and participation in promotional activities directed toward officials, professionals, journalists and students of the IACHR's work in this area.
 

•

Make recommendations to the IACHR on urgent situations that could require adopting precautionary measures or requesting the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to adopt provisional measures.
 

•

Provide advice and assistance to other organs of the Organization of American States (OAS) on matters relating to freedom of expression in the Americas.
 

•

Fulfill such other mandates relating to the promotion and protection of freedom of expression as may be delegated by the IACHR.

Minimum Requirements:
 

•

High moral character and independence.
 

•

University degree in law, journalism or other relevant social science.  Postgraduate or other specialized studies in the area of international human rights law preferable.
 

•

At least 15 years of professional experience at the national and international level involving, inter alia, interaction with senior government officials, intergovernmental or nongovernmental organizations.  If the candidate holds an advanced level university degree, the minimum experience required is 10 years.

•

Excellent knowledge of the procedure and case-law of the IACHR and the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

•

Recognized competence and professional experience in issues relating to freedom of expression and human rights in the Americas.

•

Capacity to supervise personnel.  Experience in fundraising and supervising projects.
 

•

Excellent written and oral communication skills.  Excellent analytical and interpretive skills. Ability to give public presentations to senior government officials, experts and representatives of nongovernmental human rights organizations, and the general public.
 

•

Command of at least two of the official languages of the OAS: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

•

Nationality of a Member State of the OAS.

Selection procedure and timing:
 

•

The process by which the Special Rapporteur will be appointed shall follow the procedures adopted by the IACHR in its Resolution No. 04/06.  The names and backgrounds of candidates who are selected as finalists for the position will be published on the IACHR website for the information of the Member States and of civil society.  The IACHR expects to complete the selection process in July 2008.