The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) invites applications from individuals to act as the ERRC Monitor in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The contracted individual will be requested to undertake work in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and some travel will be required (up to 25% of time). In line with ERRC priorities in Czech Republic and Slovakia, the work will focus primarily on equal access to education/desegregation, coercive sterilisation, access to adequate housing and racist violence against Roma.

The ERRC is a public interest law organization that defends the human rights of Roma throughout Europe. The ERRC pursues its objectives by engaging in legal defense, research and policy development, monitoring and reporting, human rights education and international advocacy.

Reliable, accurate and coherent first-hand research is the foundation of all ERRC activities. ERRC monitors are responsible for investigating and documenting human rights abuse of Roma in their countries of responsibility, maintaining contact with relevant actors in their country of responsibility to stay abreast of the most important developments, regularly apprising the ERRC of important local developments, acting as a liaison between the ERRC and local lawyers, and working with ERRC staff members in Budapest to develop appropriate responses to the most important concerns.

Responsibilities:

·         Regularly engaging in independent field investigation, including taking testimony from Romani victims of human rights abuse, witnesses to such abuse, relevant authorities, experts and other individuals able to provide background information;
·         Monitoring the media on Roma rights themes;
·         Maintaining regular contact with human rights, service delivery and other organisations with Roma beneficiaries, as well as local Romani and mainstream press sources;
·         Initiating and maintaining regular contact with lawyers working in the field of Roma rights on specific cases;
·         Reporting regularly to the ERRC on the above; and
·         Other tasks as specified by the ERRC.

Requirements:

·        A university degree, preferably in law, human rights, political science or a related humanities or social science field;
·         Extensive knowledge of and familiarity with issues facing Roma and Romani communities;
·         Experience in Roma rights/human rights monitoring;
·         Verbal and written proficiency in both English and local language;
·         Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;
·         Excellent organisational and time-management skills;
·         Self-motivation and the ability to work under minimal supervision; and
·         Knowledge of Romani preferred.

The selected candidate will work between half to full time, depending on the final agreement with the ERRC. The fee for this position is subject to negotiation and the selected individual will be provided with a monthly expense allowance to facilitate their work.

Application procedure:

Persons interested in the position should submit the following:

1.       A statement outlining why s/he is interested in working as an ERRC Monitor, how the individual would approach this work and the desired fee;
2.       Detailed curriculum vitae;
3.       Two references.

Applications should be submitted to:

Hajnalka Nemeth

European Roma Rights

Centre

P.O. Box 906/93

1386 Budapest 62, Hungary

Fax: +36-1-413-2201

Email: hajnalka.nemeth@errc.org  

The final deadline for submitting applications is 15 April 2009.

All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted again. Short-listed candidates will be required to participate in a formal interview. The offer will be conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references.

The ERRC is committed to equal opportunity for all. Romani candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.