Human Rights Officer – Monitoring at South African Human Rights Commission

Job Purpose

• Increase the visibility and reach of the Commission; through monitoring and reporting on the observance of human rights within the province

Key Responsibilities
Key Performance Areas (KPA)
Monitoring and research

• Conduct monitoring within communities; places of detention; schools; places for older persons; persons with disabilities; health facilities and other identified matters as instructed by the PM
• Plan and assist in the coordination of monitoring activities within the provincial office team, including amongst stakeholders conducting monitoring on behalf of the Commission, in consultation with the PM
• Complete and submit monitoring tools as directed
• Collate information, write and submit basic reports for approval.
• Provide reports both oral and written to the Provincial Manager as directed

Increase visibility and accessibility of the Commission at identified community sites

• Support advocacy interventions in respect of public outreach clinics, campaigns and special projects in communities.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a network of key stakeholder relationships in the identified communities, including community based organizations, other chapter 9 institutions, local authorities and community leaders
• Distribute appropriate promotional material at identified sites in the course of monitoring

Complaints / Legal Support

• Submit complaints observed or recorded during monitoring to the Provincial Office
• Maintain a record of all complaints per site

General 

• Attend training and meetings as directed by the Provincial Manager or delegated team
• Comply with policies, procedures, protocols and values of the Commission
• Provide any additional support and assistance to the Provincial Office, as requested by the Provincial Manager.
• Travel within the communities in the province is required, including work outside of working hours from time to time, as determined by project needs

Skills/ Knowledge/ Behaviour:
Key competencies
(This field requires a list of all skills, behaviour and attitude requirements)

• Problem solving and analysis
• Advanced writing skills
• Excellent communication skills and is able to use collaborative and facilitative approaches
• Able to work with a busy and diverse team; and diverse stakeholders
• Computer literate
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Honesty and integrity
• Is able to self-regulate
• Respectful
• Client oriented and customer focus
• Excellent time management and organization skills
• Amenable and available to work outside of ordinary hours as required
• Is able to work in risk situations exercising and observing basic safety precautions over self
• Flexible and proactive
• Must be fluent in the language predominantly spoken in the province

Knowledge and education
(This field requires a list of all knowledgenrequirements relevant to this post e.g. Knowledge of the Public Service Act.)

• Basic degree (Law/Social Sciences/ Development Studies)
• Basic Project management;
• Good understanding of human rights law
• Basic Research skills
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures 
• Knowledge and understanding of socio economic rights, customary law; rural dynamics; and the South African human rights legal framework
• Applied knowledge of research, and advocacy
• Knowledge and understanding of communications and stakeholder management requirements and processes
• Basic Knowledge and understanding of performance and project management systems and processes

Experience

• Dependent on level of qualification, but with at least 1-3 years of experience conducting field work
• Must be an experienced driver with an unendorsed license (and be willing to travel and drive)