AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS
AFCHPR/PTS/2025/101
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS – LEGAL FELLOW (2 positions)
BACKGROUND
About the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Court) is a continental court established by Member States of the African Union to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. It complements and reinforces the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Court was established pursuant to 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, (the Protocol) which was adopted by Member States of the then Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in June 1998. The Protocol came into force on 25 January 2004. (For more information see: https://www.african-court.org/wpafc/welcome-to-theafrican-court/)
About the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) is the main development agency of the German Federal Government. It operates in many fields across more than 130 countries. GIZ supports the German Government in achieving objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. It offers demand-driven, tailor-made and effective services for sustainable development. GIZ operates in many fields including economic development and employment promotion, governance and democracy, security, reconstruction, peace-building and conflict management, food security, health and basic education, environmental protection, resource conservation, and climate change mitigation. GIZ has been supporting various programmes of the African Court since its inception, and is currently implementing the African Women Advancing Rights and Empowerment – AWARE, as an overall African Union programme.
SUMMARY
As part of the outstanding cooperation between the African Court and GIZ, and in support of the Legal Fellowship Programme launched by the African Court, this is a call for applications for the position of Human Rights Fellow at the African Court in Arusha, Tanzania. The placement will be for two (2) Fellows for a period of six (6) months.
The Fellow’s primary responsibilities are to develop strategies and undertake research and studies on access to justice for women to international tribunals and in particular, the African Court. The Fellow will also be required to provide support to relevant African Court programmes. The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Head of the Legal Division (HOLD) or an Officer designated by the HOLD and report regularly to the Regional Programme Officer at the GIZ African Union.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
i. Develop strategies for increasing the number of female lawyers in the Court’s Roster of Counsel
ii. Develop strategies for the increase of cases filed by female applicants or African women rights litigation organisations before the Court
iii. Assist in the registration process of female counsel on the Roster of Counsel
iv. Assess the legal aid services provided by various counsel
v. Review applications for legal aid
vi. Participate in the review of the Court’s regular training of counsel on the Court’s Roster
vii. Draft training materials that focus on gender-related subjects
viii. Conduct a gender analysis of select decisions of the Court
ix. Assist with other activities related to the implementation of the Court’s Legal Aid Scheme
x. Undertake and coordinate applied and theoretical research in gender and access to justice as well as other subjects related to the Court’s work
xi. Develop research-based project proposals, on different elements related to the work of the Court in particular relating to supporting access by women to international tribunals in Africa
xii. Engage in case management in files as allocated
xiii. Participate in other activities of the Legal Division as necessary
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
i. Policy on the increase of female lawyers on the Court’s Roster
ii. Policy for enhancing the submission of cases by female applicants
iii. Increased registration of female counsel on the Court’s Roster
iv. Training manuals on gender-related subjects drafted
v. Report on the evaluation of the Court’s training programme for counsel on the Court’s Roster
vi. Report on legal aid services provided by counsel
vii. Assistance provided for the implementation of the Court’s Legal Aid Scheme
viii. Report of a gender analysis of select decisions of the Court
ix. Applied and theoretical research in gender and access to justice as well as other subjects related to the Court’s work undertaken
x. Research-based project proposals, on different aspects related to the work of the Court in particular in relation to supporting access by women to international tribunals in Africa developed
xi. Case management undertaken
xii. Active participation in activities of the Legal Division
QUALIFICATIONS
i. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in law or its equivalent and at least two years’ experience at the bar. A master’s degree in public international law, preferably with a focus on human rights law, will be considered as an added advantage
ii. Proven track record in research and writing
iii. Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
iv. Knowledge of the African Human Rights System
v. A demonstrable commitment to international human rights
vi. Ability to work in at least one of the African Union official languages
REMUNERATION
The successful Fellows will sign a consultancy contract, and will be paid a fee of one thousand USD ($1,000.00) a month for the duration of the placement.
Travel costs for one economy class return air ticket will be covered.
The consultant is responsible for securing their own insurance coverage for the duration of the contract.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Academic qualifications: 25 points
- Relevant professional experience: 25 points
- Language proficiency: 10 points
- Knowledge of the African Human Rights System: 10 points
- Evidence of research and writing skills: 20 points
- References: 10 points
APPLICATION PACKAGE
Applications must include:
- Copies of diplomas, attestations, certificates, etc.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Any supporting documents deemed relevant
- Two recommendation/reference letters attesting to the Applicant’s abilities
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applications must be submitted through the following address:
📧 Email: [email protected]
(The maximum size of attachments is 25 MB. If the size of your attachment exceeds 25 MB, please send it over several emails.)
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
The deadline for receipt of applications is 18:00 local time (GMT+3) on 07 August 2025.
For further information, please contact:
📧 Email: [email protected]
NB:
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. The successful applicant should be prepared to start the Fellowship by 13 August 2025.
The African Court does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the African Court does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The African Court declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.