Legal & Research Officer – Africa Freedom of Information Centre

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03/08/2018
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Legal & Research Officer - Africa Freedom of Information Centre

Job Description and Invitation for Applicants

Legal & Research Officer

 

Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is a pan-African, membership civil society organisation and resource centre that promotes the Right of Access to Information (RTI) and Freedom of Expression (FoE) across Africa through comparative research, capacity strengthening, technical support to national advocacy as well as leading continental and global advocacy, monitoring treaty compliance and implementation, facilitating information-sharing and network development.

AFIC and its members and partners have been successful in influencing or using regional and international mechanisms to address national, regional and international challenges to promote freedom of expression and citizens’ right of access to information. Some of the results are, but not exclusively, the adoption of African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) Resolution 222 on the expansion of Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression to include access to information and the Declaration of September 28 as International Day for Universal Access to Information by UNESCO General Assembly. Moreover, AFIC has successfully engaged ACHPR and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanisms through provision of shadow reports on the situation of freedom of expression and access to information in Malawi, Angola, Namibia, Kenya, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, among others. This work has provided substantial legal framework for national and local advocacy efforts in advancing the Right to information.

Since 2014, AFIC has been developing and applying models on how access to information applies to different sectors and spheres such as public contracting, gender, environment and natural resources and anti-corruption. This has created a tremendous understanding and impact on access to information as a problem solving and a community empowerment tool for citizens.

AFIC is looking for a self-motivated and result oriented Legal & Research Officer to join a dynamic team in the implementation of a project; “Improving social service delivery to citizens through open contracting in Uganda”. Open contracting principles are based on disclosure of public procurement information and citizens’ participation in all stages of the public contracting process. With the objectives:

-           To improve government responsiveness to citizens’ demand for public procurement information

-           To enhance citizens’ demand for public procurement information

-           To enhance government’s responsiveness towards citizens’ feedbacks on public procurement and accountability issues

The project will implement activities at both national and district level (Kabale, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Nebbi, Packwach and Mbarara).

 

  1. Position and services:

Under the supervision of a Senior Programme Officer, the Legal & Research Officer will focus on the implementation of AFIC’s strategic plan through access to information awareness raising, capacity building, comparative research and advocacy.

The Legal & Research Officer, will perform the following responsibilities:

  1. Review of draft bills and analysis of the laws, regulations and policies to support campaigns for adoption of the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) in the PPDA Act, the inherent regulations amendments and implementation of the OCDS in the E-Government Procurement Portal (E-GP); campaign for renewal of ATI implementation plans in Uganda; institutionalisation of ATI in public institutions.
  2. In collaboration with partners, produce and provide national, regional and international mechanisms with shadow reports on the state of access to information implementation and institutionalisation in Uganda and other monitoring reports
  3. Support AFIC’s Open Contracting Working Group with their legal analysis, campaigns and advocacy work
  4. Provide opinion on ongoing online and other debates around RTI
  5. Develop and implement RTI capacity building programmes for public servants, civil society and journalists;
  6. Develop tools and resources in support of different stages of RTI
  7. Conduct a comparative study to assess the impact of access to information ahead on citizens’ engagement in accountability platforms and mechanisms;
  8. Elaborate and lead implementation of AFIC’s RTI strategic litigation strategy
  9. Coordinate with members and partners in implementing legal RTI research
  10. Assist AFIC in the daily run of activities with legal expertise.
  11. any other tasks assigned by the Senior Programme Officer or Executive Director

 

  1. Person specifications

 

  1. Education and Experience:
  • Postgraduate training in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, International Development, Media or Communications Studies or Humanities, or related field;
  • First degree in Law
  • At least three years’ relevant experience in legal research, access to information or human rights;
  • Experience of programme planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and reporting within a nongovernmental organisation;
  • Experience of litigation, training and capacity building
  • Experience working with multi-stakeholder processes, civil society and government agencies is an added advantage;
  • Practical experience in reporting to institutional donors;

 

  1. Skills:
  • Excellent communication skills in both verbal and written English
  • Strong writing skills
  • Cross cultural sensitivity and good interpersonal skills
  • Competent PC user, particularly word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and the Internet.

 

  1. Abilities (will be able to):
  • Prioritise work and take initiatives within agreed guidelines and set deadlines
  • Work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Communicate sensitively with colleagues, government representatives, partners, donor agencies, civil society organisations, members of the public and supporters of AFIC
  • Work accurately and in detail particularly under pressure of deadlines and maintain reliable projects files
  • Proficiency in relevant languages other than English (eg Runyakitara, Ateso, Luganda, Lugbara, Luo, Swahili, Karamojong, Runyoloro/Rutooro and Lugisu) will be a plus.

 

  1. Duration The position is for a period of 17 months from September 2018 to January 2020

 

  1. Probation: All appointments are offered subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period of three months.

 

  1. Location: The position is based in Kampala, Uganda with anticipated frequent travels within Uganda.

 

  1. Compensation:

 

AFIC offers competitive salary and for a reasonable standard of living in the Uganda. Compensation and benefits are dependent on professional background and experience.

 

The Africa Freedom of Information Centre is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to celebrating all forms diversity. Women and People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 

  1. Application documents

 

Interested and qualifying candidates should send an application letter and curriculum vitae (not more than 3 pages) with at least three professional references and their contact.

 

  1. Recruiting process

AFIC posted the call for application on its website on the 3rd of August, 2018 inviting interested applicants to address their applications to; Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), P.O.Box 35643, Kampala.

 

The deadline for applications to be received is 17th August 2018 at 5.00 p.m.

Applications should be sent to the following address sarah@afic.eabwmedia.com coping in info@afic.eabwmedia.com

All sent application will receive an e-mailed receipt acknowledgement.

Applications will be reviewed in line with the above listed specifications and pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview at AFIC premises. Due to a high amount of applications, AFIC will not notify non shortlisted candidates.

Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be conducted by a panel that will assess candidates’ knowledge and experience to best fulfill the position. The best- candidate will be contacted and offered the position subject to acceptance of terms and conditions. unsuccessful candidates that were invited for the interview will be notified.