INTERSHIP POLICY OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGTHS Introduction
The African human rights system introduces to the international human rights discourse new concepts and challenges to students, academics, human rights activists and international lawyers. It is not surprising therefore that after more than twenty five years after the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (herein after called the African Charter), twenty years of the entry into force of the Charter and two decades after the establishment of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, there is still a lot more to be written about the African human rights system. It remains one of the most comprehensive in terms of the rights protected but yet the feeblest in terms of protecting those rights. For the past decade, the African human rights system has attracted interest from across all categories of persons intersected in human rights – students, professors, activists, advocates etc. Representatives from the African Commission and scholars have made numerous presentations at international and regional forums and distributed relevant documents to institutions of learning on the African human rights regime. Yet, as the Commission continues to grow and its activities are appreciated, so also does interest in the Commission increase. A growing number of young academics have also expressed interest to visit the Secretariat and spend some time to work at the Secretariat to better appreciate the system. With the number of applications growing every year, the Secretariat considered it important to develop certain guidelines that would guide relationships between such visitors and the Commission. Although not all those who visit the Commission are regarded as interns, this document is designed to regulate the relationship between the Commission and persons wishing to visit the Commission on internship. Internship Policy Statement Internships are educational programs that allow interns to gain practical work experience and develop skills in the areas of their career interests under the guidance of experts or those working in the field. Internships are appropriate for graduate students or persons who have had prior experience working in fields that relate directly to their career or the Commission’s interests. Internships must be of benefit to both the intern and the Commission. The intern benefits from the opportunity to learn about the system, conduct research through guidance from a staff member allocated by the Secretariat, while the Commission benefits from the outcome of the intern’s research and contribution to other activities. The Commission welcomes interns from all over the world particularly with a view for diverse inputs in its work, but accords preference to African interns who are researching or working on human rights in general and the African human rights system in particular. Aim The aim of the internship programme is to contribute to the training of human rights workers who would help promote human rights on the continent. Qualification
Applicants must have an educational or professional background suitable to the work of the Commission. No particular study or degree is required, but applicants must have at least a first degree from a recognised higher institution. Knowledge of human rights, academic research and/or practical experience in human rights, as well as experience in project planning and management, Internet Technology and administration are an advantage. Interns must be fluent in at least one of the working languages of the African Union. Application and recruitment procedure Interns should apply to the Secretary of the Commission by submitting the following documents:
All inquiries on internships should be addressed to: The Secretary of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 48 Kairaba Avenue , PO Box 673 , Banjul , The Gambia Tel: 220 4392 962, Fax: 220 4390 764, Email: achpr@achpr.org or bsec@achpr.org. In consultation with the Bureau of the African Commission, the Secretary will decide upon the application, the length of the internship and the specific duties. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications one month after receipt of their applications. The following would also apply in the selection of interns:
Nature of Work Interns may assist, according to their background and interests, in any aspect of the work of the Commission, i.e. in its research and training projects, documentation and publication as well as in technical and administrative tasks. The content and/or nature of the work to be done during the internship will be mutually agreed upon in advance. Funding The African Commission does not remunerate interns. Supervision The supervisor will be one of the officers of the Commission working in the department in which the intern has been assigned. In relation to the task assigned to the intern, the latter will be answerable to his/her immediate supervisor. The intern will also be assigned other duties by the Secretary. Duties of the Commission The Commission shall ensure that interns:
Duties of interns Interns have the duty to:
Duration Interns should stay for at least 6 months and a maximum of one year. In exceptional cases, the Secretary can decide to offer internships for less than six months or extend the period of an internship. Working hours Interns are expected to work regular office hours, being 8:30 am – 5:30 p.m. Meetings and other activities
Interns are not considered as regular staff members of the African Commission. The Secretary of the African Commission shall determine the type of meetings and activities they may be invited to participate in, as well as the conditions under which they may attend such meetings or undertake any activity. Holidays and leave The official holidays of the African Commission apply to interns as they do to regular staff members of the Commission. Interns are eligible to two days leave per month which must be taken with the period of the internship. However, interns, except in exceptional cases, shall not be allowed to take leave on the last month of their internship. Interns must inform their supervisors should illness or other unforeseen circumstances prevent them from reporting for work or completing their internship. Status Interns are not officials or staff members of the African Commission and therefore cannot represent the Commission in any official capacity. Application deadline There is no deadline for applying, but the African Commission encourages prospective interns to apply at least three months before their scheduled date to begin the internship. Visa and travel arrangements The African Commission advises interns to make all necessary arrangements from their home countries before travelling to The Gambia. This includes visa and travel arrangements, insurance, accommodation, etc. It is also advisable that interns come with laptop computers, if possible. The African Commission will also provide successful applicants with relevant information about living in The Gambia. Termination of internship Either party can terminate the internship prior to its expiry by giving seven (7) days written notice. This notwithstanding, the Commission reserves the right to terminate the internship at anytime if it deems the intern provided false information to the African Commission or the intern has brought the African Commission into disrepute or undertake any other activity that the Commission deems incompatible with the mandate of the Commission.
Certificate Upon the successful completion of the internship, a certificate will be issued to the intern by the Secretary of the Commission.
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