JOB OPENING

AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS COUR AFRICAINE DES DROITS DE L’HOMME ET DES PEUPLES P.O Box 6274 Arusha, Tanzania, Tel: +255 27 2970 430  /431/432/433/434 Web site: www.african-court.org   Email registrar@african-court.org The Registry of the Court 

ADVERTISEMENT OF VACANCY N° AFCHPR/2017/004 PRINCIPAL LEGAL OFFICER, P4 AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS   (Closing date: 04/11/2017) 

The African Court was established by virtue of Article 1 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, adopted on 9 June 1998 and  came into force on 25 January 2004.  It is the first continental judicial body charged with the responsibility of ensuring the protection of human and peoples’ rights. The Court became operational in 2006 and its seat is in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.

The Court invites applications from citizens of African Union Member States for the following position: 


1. Post
 Job title:  Principal Legal Officer 

Post level: P4 

Supervisor:  Head of Legal Division 

 Directorate: Registry of the Court 

 Duty station: Arusha

2. Job Purpose

Provide to the Court specific legal support and supervise the activities of a Legal Unit under his/her direct responsibilities.
Major Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Registrar, and under the direct supervision of the Head of Legal Division, the Principal Legal Officer will perform the following duties:  

i) Conduct and supervise the conduct of legal research in the areas of law that fall within his/her competence, particularly on relevant developments in international law in general, legislation and jurisprudence in international courts

ii) Draft and analyse and supervise the drafting and analysis of judgments by jurists under his/her supervision. iii) Counsel and make concrete recommendations on issues concerning the Court on judicial, legal, and administrative issues.

iv) Prepare and supervise the preparation and drafting of briefs, decisions and judgments on matters pending before the Court.

 v) Supervise the custody, updating, review of records, legal instruments and the input made by jurists under his/her supervision.

 vi) Coordinate and oversee the resources and activities of his/her Unit.   

vii) Perform any other duties as required.

3. Educational Qualifications

Candidates must have a minimum of a University Master’s degree in law.  A specialization in public international law will be an added advantage.

4. Work Experience

Candidates must have a minimum of eight (8) years relevant professional experience in a similar position, preferably in an international organization.

5. Other relevant skills:
 
i) Demonstrate leadership abilities;

 ii) Good knowledge of the African human rights system;  

iii) Strong analytical skills and ability to prepare legal submissions, opinions and motions; 

iv) Respect for confidentiality and good public relations;

 v) Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure in a multi-cultural environment; vi) Excellent drafting and argumentative skills in one of the African Union working languages;

 vii) Good planning, managing and organizational skills;

 viii)Computer literacy.

6. Language Requirement

An excellent command of at least one of the African Union (AU) working languages.  Knowledge of one or several other AU working languages would be an added advantage.