Local Consultant to provide support to Media Legal Aid Hub (SSAs)

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Sunday 15 May 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Background:

The state of media in Kosovo continues to suffer from problems similar to the past years, including the issues with operational ineffectiveness of media institutions, safety of journalists, and maintaining high reporting and journalism standards. While freedom of media and expression are largely safeguarded by law, the implementation of the respective laws and regulations remains inadequate. Associations of journalists are finding it difficult to have a meaningful voice to protect their members and the triad of law enforcement, judiciary, and the prosecution are not co-ordinating effectively enough to process crimes against journalists. The European Commission’s Kosovo Report has identified the safety of journalists as a critical shortcoming that Kosovo ought to address urgently. Politicians and public officials still need to demonstrate a higher level of tolerance towards criticism and promote freedom of expression. According to the Association of Journalists in Kosovo (AJK), there were 29 cases of threats and intimidation in 2021, 30 cases in 2020, 13 cases of verbal attacks and three physical attacks against journalists in 2019 (similar level as 2018). From January to March 2022, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has recorded 5 cases of threats against journalists including a cyber-attack against an online portal. In February 2022, media freedom organisations called for an immediate end to the denigrating campaign against journalists. Individuals linked to Kosovo's ruling party and the president incited the public against journalists after two media outlets had made a mistake followed by a public apology. Together with other international NGOs defending press freedom, Reporters Without Borders condemned in an open letter a disproportionate reaction which led to unjustified hostility against reporters. Adjudication of cases remains slow. On 3 February 2022, Kosovo Police has suspended two of its officials due to the arrest of a cameraman while covering an event. Other than condemnation by the international community and associations of journalists, very few concrete action are being taken to change the current environment where such crimes are tolerated. Moreover, such cases are rarely thoroughly investigated and brought to justice. The AJK is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to protect the freedoms and rights of journalists, to promote, encourage and improve quality and open journalism in Kosovo, as well as the position of journalists in Kosovo. Established in 2002 it counts over 780 media professionals, journalists, photojournalists, cameramen and editors and is open to membership of journalists of all ethnicities in Kosovo.

Objective of Assignment:

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK) Media Section seeks to engage a local consultant to provide legal aid to the AJK and its members. The consultant will assist the AJK in revising and reforming its internal regulations, Statute and the Rules of Procedure, following the amendment of the Law on Freedom of Association in Non-Governmental Organizations.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Project Manager and Activity Manager, the local consultant will:

  • Offer legal advice to the AJK and its members at all stages – on the cases when involving the police, prosecution and courts;
  • Provide legal advice to the AJK regarding the applicable legal framework of Kosovo, as well as media legislation;
  • Collect information regarding the backlog of unresolved cases of crimes against journalists and create a database for the needs of AJK;
  • Collect information and compile a database of resolved cases involving journalists for the past five years;
  • Advise the AJK on mechanisms to accelerate resolution of cases of crimes against journalists;
  • Revise the Statute and the Rules of Procedure of the AJK;
  • Prepare and keep a record of active lawsuits, responses to lawsuits, complaints, requests and objections for the AJK and its members;
  • Take all necessary civil and criminal actions to obtain compensation for possible damage caused to AJK and its members;
  • Support AJK in negotiation and drafting contractual agreements ;
  • Handover to the AJK and/or its members the complete file of legal protection and legal advice provided during the assigned period.

Deliverables:

After receiving information from OMiK Media Section project manager on planned tasks assigned, the local consultant will:

  • Submit the first draft of the revised AJK Statute and Rules of Procedure to the Mission by 30 May 2022;
  • Address comments and submit the second draft of the AJK Statute and Rules of Procedure to the Mission by 3rd June 2022;
  • Revise and submit the final versions of the AJK Statute and Rules of Procedure, latest by 4 July 2022;
  • Submit monthly reports that enlist:

    summary of legal advices to the AJK and its members; summary of legal advice related to the applicable media legal framework and safety of journalists, including additional initiatives in this field; summary of unresolved cases of crimes against journalists; update on the status of unresolved cases; list of cases negotiated and contracted for the AJK;

  • Submit a database of resolved cases to be updated with new information, where available.

Performance Indicators:

  • AJK Statute and Rules of Procedure incorporating comments received from the Mission delivered on time in an appropriate format and quality as requested by the activity manager;
  • Database of resolved cases is updated with new information, where available;
  • Summary of unresolved cases and an update on their status is maintained throughout the consultancy;
  • A report of the active lawsuits, responses to lawsuits, complaints, requests and objections for the AJK and its members is submitted on time, as agreed with the activity manager;
  • Consultancy implemented as planned and final report approved by the activity manager.

Necessary Qualifications:

  • University degree in law;
  • Licensed as a Lawyer by the Kosovo Bar Association;
  • Knowledge of media legislation applicable in Kosovo;
  • Minimum 3 year of professional experience as a lawyer;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Professional knowledge of media landscape in Kosovo;
  • Professional knowledge of English and Serbian language;
  • Professional writing skills;
  • Computer literacy.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will depend on the qualifications and experience of individual experts as well as the detailed work plan to be agreed upon and will be based on the current OSCE consultancy rates.

In order to apply for this position, you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. Applicants are encouraged to use the online recruitment and only fully completed OSCE applications will be accepted. However, if you have technical difficulties with the system you may use the offline application form found under https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: [email protected]. In line with your qualifications please indicate your preference to one or more field of expertise listed above (while using the online application the field of expertise preference can be indicated in the cover letter part). Kindly note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form or in other languages than the English language would not be considered. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious,ethnic and social backgrounds to apply.

Additional Information

  • Issued by: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
  • Requisition ID: MED00000P
  • Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant
  • Grade: No grade
  • Job Type: Consultant
  • Number of posts: one
  • Location: OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Prishtine / Pristina
  • Posting Date: Apr 27, 2022
  • Closing Date: May 15, 2022
  • Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
  • Job Field: Media Affairs
  • Target Start Date: 23/05/2022
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: vacancies.osce.org