About the Irish Human Rights Commission

Project Researcher P/T

About the Irish Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission was established under the Human Rights Commission Acts 2000 & 2001. The Acts set out the Commission’s powers and functions conferring on it a wide-ranging remit to promote and protect human rights as defined both in international agreements to which Ireland is a party and in the Irish Constitution. The Commission consists of fifteen members and is independent of Government. The Commission has received ring-fenced funding from a Philanthropic organisation to allow for the engagement of independent contractors to assist in the performance of the IHRC Human Rights Education and Training Project (HRETP).

IHRC Human Rights Education and Training Project

The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Human Rights Education and Training Project has successfully completed Phase 1, a pilot phase running from March 2010 to August 2011 and will now begin work on Phase 2. The project aims to provide human rights education and training to the Civil and Public Service, in the short term this has focussed on increased awareness of applicable human rights standards and increased capacity to conduct internal training. Phase 2 aims to build on and continue this work.

Project Researcher

The HRET Project Researcher will be contracted for 8 hours per week to support the development, implementation and delivery of training for the IHRC Human Rights Education and Training Project. They will report to the Project Manager of the Human Rights Education Project under the overall supervision of the Director of Research, Policy and Promotion and the Chief Executive. The duration of this contract is 10 months with potential for renewal for further periods up to an additional 12 months.

Contract Description

The Project Researcher will be responsible for:

1.  supporting the Project Manager in the development and implementation of the IHRC’s Human Rights Education and Training Project (HRETP);

2.  undertake research for incorporation into human rights training packages and training materials, including on-line usage;

3.  supporting the development of on-line e-learning materials;

4.  Researching and compiling information, policies, articles etc to promote the HRETP for various audiences;

5.  liaising with the Project Trainer in relation to training needs and materials;

6.  liaising with stakeholder groups to gather inputs in respect of research needs for the HRETP;

7.  attending staff meetings and meetings of the Commission and of committees of the Commission, as directed by the Chief Executive;

8.  implementing Commission policy, as directed; and

9.  undertaking such other contract requirements as may reasonably be required by the Project Manager, Director of Research, Policy and Promotion and/or by the Chief Executive.

Contract Specification

Applicants for the contract of Project Researcher will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide evidence of how she or he meets these criteria.

Essential Criteria

·  A primary degree in law, or a related discipline;

·  Strong knowledge of human rights and international law;

·  Research experience, in particular in relation to education, legal or training initiatives in human rights related fields or for the Civil and Public Service;

·  Be a ‘self-starter’ who is enthusiastic about the promotion of human rights and can operate with limited direction / supervision;

·  Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team;

·  Sound judgement and integrity;

·  A Valid Tax Clearance Certificate.

Desirable Criteria

·  Some knowledge and understanding of the public service and of statutory bodies and community and voluntary organisations in the human rights field nationally and internationally;

·  Ability to contribute to effective thinking on policy issues relating to education and training, including knowledge of the nature and variety of these sectors in Ireland;

·  A relevant postgraduate qualification in human rights law or education or other relevant discipline;

·  Some experience or demonstrable knowledge of human rights education;

·  Other relevant experience in education, training, multi-media, IT, human rights or a related area;

·  An interest in the work of the Irish Human Rights Commission and some understanding of the role of National Human Rights Institutions.

Not Employment

For the avoidance of doubt, the Project Researcher will be an independent contractor and not an employee of the IHRC and has no entitlements to employment protection or benefits under statute, contract, common law or otherwise. It will be a provision of the service agreement entered into by the Contractor not to make any employment related claim of any nature against the IHRC during or after this Agreement, under statute, contract, common law or otherwise. Furthermore, the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2001 shall not apply to the termination of this contract either on the cessor of the term or otherwise.

Application requirements

Respondents are asked to provide the following:

·  a short up to date copy of their curriculum vitae (no more than 3 pages)

·  a letter of application

·  contact details for 2 referees

An up to date tax clearance certificate will be required to be provided by the successful contractor before engagement.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 12 August 2011.

Interviews

It is anticipated that interviews will take place in the last week of August for short-listed candidates.

Contract Payment

The hourly rate is circa €20 p.h (including VAT). The Contractor will be paid an hourly rate and it is anticipated that the Project will be executed on the basis of services provided for 8 hours per week over the course of 10 months.

The Contractor shall not be paid a fee for any period in which services were not provided for whatever reason, including sickness, holidays or other commitments. Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) will be deducted by the IHRC from all payments made to the contractor.

Any pre-authorised vouched travel and subsistence as is reasonably necessary for the performance of the services will be paid at public service rates.

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