Beca

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Both Ends Believing/IACHR Fellowship - 2022

1. General Objective

1.1. The objective of the BEB/IACHR Fellowship is to offer an opportunity for young professionals to:

a) Get to know and apply the monitoring mechanisms of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights concerning ​​the rights of children.

b) Contribute to the IACHR technical cooperation initiative with BEB and support Member States regarding the right of children to a family.

c) Promote inter-American standards on the rights of children, in particular the right to a family --included in the IACHR thematic report "The rights of boys and girls to a family" (2011).

2. Term/Duration

2.1. The fellowship term will be 9 months, with the possibility of an extension depending on performance and according to the agreement between the parties.

3. Start date

3.1. Tentative start date: March 1, 2022. Start date may be postponed depending on the duration of the selection process.

4. Work modality

4.1. The modality of work is initially home based. However, when OAS offices reopen, fellow may be required to perform fellowship activities in Washington, DC, at the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (ES/IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS). Address: 1889 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, United States of America. The transition between teleworking and on-site work will be defined in advance by mutual agreement between the fellow and the IACHR.

5. Duties and activities:

5.1. Under direct supervision of the Human Rights Specialist of the IACHR Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child, the fellow will be responsible for the following duties:

a) Support all activities of the tri-party cooperation initiative between Both Ends Believing, the IACHR and Member States to implement the Children First Software.

b) Participate in Children First Software virtual implementation meetings to provide technical support on child alternative care policies.

c) Draft policy and technical documents on the right of children to a family, in accordance with inter-American standards.

d) Promote and provide training to Member States on the inter-American standards on the right of children to a family, including through workshops.

e) Collaborate on strategies and activities related to the dissemination of the contents and recommendations of the IACHR's thematic reports, including through events such as the "Rounds of Dialogue".

f) Support the preparation of annual, thematic, and country reports, particularly on the rights of children.

g) Monitor, research and collect information on the situation of the rights of children in the region.

h) Draft support papers, briefings and other relevant documents for hearings, work meetings and visits of the IACHR related to the situation of the rights of children.

i) Collaboration in initiatives aimed at promoting and disseminating the inter-American human rights system and the Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child.

j) Draft press releases or other statements related to the rights of children.

5.2. Expected results/products:

a) At least three individualized assessments/technical notes on Member States' challenges to end institutionalization of children, with corresponding recommendations to support the implementation of the Children First Software.

b) At least three individualized workshops with Member States on the inter-American standards regarding the right of children to a family and on the recommendations to end institutionalization of children in the Americas.

c) At least two "Rounds of Dialogue" between the IACHR and Member States on efforts to end institutionalization of children in the Americas.

d) At least one press release on the situation of the rights of children in the Americas.

e) Systematization of monitoring information collected to be used in the drafting of the IACHR Annual report, including on the right of the child to live in a family.

f) Mid-term and a final report of activities.

6. Requirements:

a) Be a national of an OAS Member State.

b) First level university degree in law, international relations, sociology, social services, or other related areas, issued within the last seven years.

c) Proficiency in Spanish and English (advanced level). Proficiency in Portuguese will be considered an advantage.

d) Professional experience in the field of human rights, specifically on the rights of children to live in a family (alternative care, adoption procedures/cases, intercountry adoption, etc.). Government/public policies professional experience in the field mentioned will be considered an advantage.

e) Experience working with or implementing electronic tools (for processing of cases and collection of data) to advance public policies on the rights of children will be considered an advantage.

7. Benefits:

7.1. The Fellowship provides a monthly stipend of US$ 3,200.00 (three thousand two hundred US dollar 00/100) for the complete fellowship term. With this stipend, the Fellowship holder is responsible for acquiring health coverage of their choice during the entire period of the Fellowship, and the said acquisition must be formally accredited.

7.2. The fellow will be responsible for any costs or additional tax to those that take place in their country of origin, as well as bank fees for the transfer of funds.

7.3. In the event the fellow is required to work on-site, the IACHR will provide roundtrip tickets by air in economy class from the place of residence to Washington, DC. No funds will be provided for terminal and transit costs.

7.4. The Commission and Both Ends Believing will grant a certificate of participation in the program to the fellow that successfully complete the full term of the Fellowship.

8. Fellow's responsibilities:

8.1. The successful candidate must formally accept the Fellowship in writing, confirming their availability during the entire period and to work on-site, if applicable. Before the start of activities, the fellow will sign a term of commitment with the IACHR, and the rules provided in this term of reference are an integral part of the term of commitment.

8.2. If the selected person has accepted the Fellowship, but for imperative reasons cannot subsequently take part in the program, he/she must notify immediately the IACHR in writing so a decision can be made on appropriate measures.

8.3. In the event the fellow is required to work on-site, it is his/her responsibility to obtain in a timely manner the corresponding visa(s) to enter the United States of America and/or transit countries (if applicable).

8.4. The IACHR will not cover any expenses related to the processing of immigration documents or visas. However, the IACHR will extend a communication to the selected person certifying their selection as an official fellow of the IACHR to request the corresponding visa. Additionally, the OAS will extend a diplomatic note to the Embassy or Consulate where the selected person will apply for the visa, also certifying their selection.

8.5. In the event the fellow is required to work on-site, and he/she resigns the Fellowship after airline ticket is purchased or does not travel on the established dates or changes the route, he/she must reimburse the cost of the air ticket, or any other costs incurred by the IACHR.

8.6. If the fellow resigns or terminates the Fellowship after the program has started, without presenting sufficient evidence of the cause, the person must reimburse the IACHR or Both Ends Believing for all the expenses incurred, including those pertaining to the monthly stipend. In addition, the person must communicate his/her resignation and termination of the terms in writing and at least with 10 days of anticipation.

9. Application and selection process

9.1. Applications must be received no later than Wednesday, February 16, 2022, by 6:00pm in Washington, DC (GMT-5), exclusively through this link.

9.2. Applications submitted by other means, incomplete applications and/or received after the deadline will not be considered.

9.3. The following documents are required for your application to be considered:

a) Curriculum vitae.

b) Copy of university degree issued within the last 7 (seven) years.

c) Language level certificate (if not available, attach an explanatory note).

d) A cover letter stating your qualifications vis-à-vis the position requirements and indicating why your profile is a good fit.

9.4. All documents required for the application may be submitted in either English or Spanish.

9.5. Only simple copies of the documents are required, and it is not necessary to legalize them (apostille, notary or any other).

9.6. Subject to discretion, applicants may be requested to supplement their application forms with additional information.

9.7. Applicants who meet the requirements will be evaluated according to subjective criteria and in accordance with the provisions of these Terms of Reference, particularly regarding desirable competencies and skills.

9.8. The IACHR will decide on a short list of applicants, of no more than 10, who shall be invited for an interview by videoconference to be held between 21 and 23 of February 2022. Interviews will include a representative of the IACHR and Both Ends Believing.

9.9. After the interviews, the selected person will be notified accordingly.

9.10. The IACHR is responsible for interpreting the rules established in these Terms of Reference and for making the final decision as to the person selected for the Fellowship, in consultation with Both Ends Believing.

9.11. Decisions issued on these Terms of Reference are final.

10. Final provisions

10.1. The selection process may be canceled at the discretion of the IACHR and Both Ends Believing, at any time and without prior notice.

10.2. Inquiries and requests shall be sent by email to George Lima, Human Rights Specialist, at [email protected].

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States does not discriminate against any individual, intern, fellow, employee, or applicant for employment based on race, color, marital status, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a parent.