VACANCY – FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COORDINATOR

SAHA is an independent human rights archive committed to documenting and raising awareness of past struggles against apartheid, as well as ongoing struggles in the making of democracy in South Africa. In line with this central mission, SAHA is dedicated to using the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) to extend the boundaries of access to information in South Africa. 

Launched in 2001, SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) is dedicated to extending the boundaries of freedom of information by:

• increasing compliance with, and the use of, PAIA, through practice-based research and advocacy;
• empowering individuals and organisations to understand PAIA as a strategic advocacy tool; and
• creating awareness of the right to access to information an enabling right, fundamental to the realisation of other human rights both within South Africa, and across the continent, in order to invigorate citizen demand for the right to know.

SAHA seeks to appoint a dynamic, committed professional with an interest in access to information and human rights advocacy as Freedom of Information Coordinator for the FOIP, based in Constitution Hill, Johannesburg.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be a South African citizen and have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (or demonstrably equivalent qualification)
• Must be currently eligible for admission as attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Must be familiar with the non-government and human rights sectors, and able to advocate strategically for access to information
• Must have demonstrable leadership and management experience, including people and financial management, as well as programme and records management
• Requires excellent written and oral communications skills, including good computer literacy and the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders
• Requires a motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve timely outcomes, with a strong commitment to high quality client service
• Should have at least 3 years post-qualification experience in a legal environment or in public interest advocacy (experience in litigation or administrative or information law will be an advantage)
• A sound understanding of legal and procedural requirements, as well as issues that arise in practice, relating to access to information decision-making and legal challenges, is also desirable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing hands-on expert legal advice, support and representation to researchers, activists, vulnerable individuals, communities, partner organisations and SAHA, in relation to all aspects of PAIA requests, including drafting and submitting PAIA requests, appropriate management of all correspondence and released records, and internal appeals and/or complaints (where necessary).
• Providing support in litigation, including researching, writing and filing court documents, and seeking pro bono assistance (where available).
• Providing expert input into advocacy and capability building efforts in relation to access to information policies and legislation, including through media, workshops and training, submissions, and publications, and other advocacy efforts, usually in collaboration with national and international partner organisations.
• Training and supervising the work of a Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) officer, a candidate attorney, as well as interns and other programme staff.
• Supporting the management and strategic development of FOIP and SAHA, including through the identification and fostering of potential funding opportunities, completion of projects and providing other support to the SAHA Director.
• Overseeing the ongoing development and maintenance of the FOIP website and PAIA Tracker System, in conjunction with the SAHA Communications Officer.

The FOIP Coordinator will report to the SAHA Director.

TO APPLY

Submit a CV (3 – 4 pages), with cover letter (1 - 2 pages), copies of academic transcripts, and up-to-date contact details of at least three professional referees to catherine@saha.org.za.

Your cover letter should include a short indication of your motivation for applying for this position.

Closing date:  17 June 2014 by 4pm.

Interview date: Thursday 26 June 2014 between 1pm and 5pm.

Starting date: Monday 4 August 2014 (negotiable)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about SAHA’s Freedom of Information Programme, visit http://foip.saha.org.za

For more information about South African History Archive, visit www.saha.org.za.