The Centre is implementing a research project on the impact of race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism in South Africa. The project seeks to determine the extent and the manner in which racism and colourism hinder the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism in South Africa. Accordingly, the Centre is seeking to recruit an experienced consultant with extensive knowledge on the rights of persons with albinism. The consultant is expected to conduct a desktop research study to ascertain the impact of race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism in South Africa.

Organisation:  Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Job title:           Consultant
Duration:          4 months
Contract type:  Individual consultant
Closing date:   15 September 2022 

Background

The Centre for Human Rights (the Centre) is part of the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria. Recognised internationally for excellence in human rights law in Africa, the Centre is uniquely positioned as both an academic department and a non-governmental organisation. A leader in human rights education in Africa, the Centre works towards a greater awareness of human rights, the wide dissemination of publications on human rights in Africa, and the improvement of the rights of women, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, sexual minorities and other disadvantaged or marginalised persons or groups across the continent.

The Centre is implementing a research project on the Impact of race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism in South Africa. The project seeks to determine the extent and the manner in which racism and colourism hinder the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism in South Africa. Accordingly, the Centre is seeking to recruit an experienced consultant with extensive knowledge on the rights of persons with albinism. The consultant is expected to conduct a desktop research study to ascertain the impact of race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism in South Africa.

Scope of work

The consultant is expected to complete the following activities:

1. Conducting a focus group discussion with persons with albinism to interrogate how discrimination based on race and colour has impacted their enjoyment of human rights
2. Conducting desk-top research on the impact of race and colour on the realisation of rights by persons with albinism in South Africa
3.  Draft a comprehensive research report outlining the research findings
4. resent the research findings at a validation workshop and an event to launch the report

Deliverables

1. An inception report detailing the consultant’s understanding of the work and the methodology that the consultant will deploy to conduct the work
2. A questionnaire containing the proposed list of questions for the focus group discussions
3. A draft research report outlining the findings of the research study
4. A final research report outlining the findings of the research study

Eligibility criteria

Minimum requirements

• A master’s degree in International Human Rights Law, Disability Rights Law and Policy, Disability Studies, International Relations or related field
• In-depth knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• A strong understanding of the situation of persons with albinism
• At least five years’ work experience on disability rights and/or the rights of persons with albinism
• Excellent research skills
• Excellent report writing skills
• Excellent command of the English language

Other desirable competencies

• Time management skills and ability to meet strict deadlines
• A proven record of research and/or publications on the rights of persons with albinism, disability rights or human rights
• Knowledge of any of the other official South African languages is an advantage
• Applicants with albinism are strongly encouraged to apply

Term of consultancy

The research study and the preparation of the research report must be completed within four months from 3 October 2022 to 2 February 2023.
The consultant will be required to attend the report launch at a later date.

Application deadline

Applications must be received no later than 11:00 PM on 15 September 2022.

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit the following documents to Ms Sabeeha Majid ([email protected]) copying Mr Paul Juma ([email protected]):

• Cover letter summarising the applicant’s suitability for the assignment, with reference to the required and desirable qualifications, skills and experience set out above, as well as current contact information, and two contactable referees on previous assignments
• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Writing sample (published or unpublished article or research paper)
• Technical proposal including a brief research plan setting out the main research questions, and methodology to be adopted; and
• Financial proposal indicating the consultant’s proposed fee for the assignment in ZAR.

The subject line of the e-mail should be: ‘Application for consultancy on the impact of race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism'.

Applicants must be available for virtual interviews between 23 September and 30 September 2022.  Only complete applications will be considered.