[Discussion] FELLOWSHIP- Open Society Justice Initiative Resident Fellowship, Russia

[gonul@pultar.org]

From: Rita Bakradze <rbakradze@osi.hu>

FELLOWSHIP- Open Society Justice Initiative Resident Fellowship, Russia

Resident Fellowship

Combating Racial/Ethnic Discrimination in Russia

Application Deadline: October 7, 2005

The Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational program of the Open Society
Institute, is seeking a recent law graduate for a one-year fellowship (January -
December 2006) developing and coordinating its anti-discrimination projects in
the Russian Federation

The Justice Initiative Resident Fellowship Program offers opportunities for
recent graduates of law school or related disciplines with some human rights
experience and good program management skills to undertake innovative legal
education, litigation or advocacy projects in countries of Justice Initiative
focus. Fellows are typically placed in a resident university legal clinic or an
NGO which is pursuing one or more projects requiring assistance. Fellowships are
for up to one year. Other Justice Initiative resident fellows are currently in
Mexico, Abuja and Moscow.

The Justice Initiative works with a diverse group of Russian nongovernmental
organizations, representing a range of victims of racial and ethnic
discrimination in Russia. Its projects involve capacity-building, documentation,
reporting, litigation and advocacy. Groups of particular focus include Roma,
ethnic Tajiks, ethnic Chechens and Meskhetians.

The Resident Fellow will be based in Moscow and will be actively involved in the
implementation of projects already in progress. The Fellow will also be
responsible for development of new discrimination-related projects. Travel to
Russian regions will be required. The Fellow will be supervised by Justice
Initiative staff in New York and may collaborate with staff in Budapest.

The Justice Initiative Russia fellow will have responsibility for:

1) Liaising with the Antidiscrimination Steering Committee ("SC"), a group
of Russians NGOs that meets quarterly in Moscow, including:

a. attendance at SC meetings
b. defining/guiding their role
c. participation in any SC projects/activities-e.g., advocacy or law reform
   work

2) Monitoring

a. Gathering information on current political and legislative developments
   in Russia, through monitoring of the press and NGO publications
b. Staying abreast of OSI and international NGOs' work in Russia.

3) Project design/management

a. Working with existing partners in design and implementation of projects
   gathering evidence for antidiscrimination cases
b. Exploration and development of new initiatives where appropriate

4) Litigation

a. Developing cases for the Russian or international courts in cooperation
   with local partner organizations
b. Cooperating on existing litigation-participating in case investigations,
   discussions of legal strategies, etc.

Qualifications:

Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written Russian and English. Background
in law and/or human rights work is an asset, as is knowledge of the social and
political situation in Russia.

The fellowship honorarium will be commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit a letter explaining their interest in the
position, an English writing sample and a curriculum vitae to Rita Bakradze
(rbakradze@osi.hu) with 'Anti-Discrimination Fellowship' in the subject line.

Applications must be received by October 7, 2005.

For more information about the Open Society Justice Initiative, go to:
www.justiceinitiative.org