Thailand: Legal Intern – Access to Justice

ECPAT International

Vacancy Notice

Position:Legal Intern – Access to Justice

Reports to:Head of Legal Programme, ECPAT International

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Duration: Six months

Grading: INTERN

Organisational Background

ECPAT International is a global network of organisations working to eliminate all forms of sexual exploitation of children. The ECPAT global network currently has 85 member organizations in 77 countries in Africa, Americas, Europe and the CIS, Asia and the Pacific. All of ECPAT’s members are independent organisations or coalitions working for the eradication of sexual exploitation of children. The ECPAT International Secretariat coordinates the global work of the network and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. A key priority for ECPAT International is to engage in international research projects, which aim to strengthen and support the work of its network members.

The Access to Justice Project

More children are at risk of being sexually exploited today than ever before, despite increased global attention in recent years.[1] The UNODC estimates that as many as 58 per cent of all human trafficking cases involve some form of sexual exploitation,[2] and 27 per cent of cases involve children.With international travel reaching unprecedented levels (one billion border crossings in 2014); the worldwide web connecting almost 40 per cent of the global population; and information communication technology (ICT) advancing rapidly, sexual exploitation is changing, taking on new modalities and manifestations. Sexual exploitation through ICTs is evolving at an alarming pace, incorporating new technologies such as webcams and smartphones to enable self-generated sexual abuse materials, ‘live video streaming,’ and online grooming. Sexual exploitation through travel and tourism is now adapting to accommodate not only the overseas tourist but also the local travelling businessman.

Sexual exploitation of children, in all of its forms, constitutes a violation of a child’s human rights under international law.

All too often, child victims of sexual exploitation are denied justice, the opportunity for a full recovery, and a chance to start a new life. Without access to justice or effective remedy, a victim of sexual exploitation is denied the chance to become a survivor.

ECPAT International is engaged in a multi-country study, which aims to understand the unique barriers facing child victims of sexual exploitation when they access justice and remedy from the judicial process. The overall objective of the Project is to advocate at the international level for more robust measures to ensure justice, recovery and reintegration and compensation for child victims. A key priority of the project is to bring the voices and experiences of child victims and survivors to the international forum.

ECPAT International seeks two interns to work on the Access to Justice project and to support ECPAT’s UN advocacy programme.

Major Tasks and Responsibilities

The Legal Intern will work closely with the Head of Legal Programme to assist in bringing the Access to Justice Project to completion. The Legal Intern will assist in the following tasks:

· Preparing legal research and memoranda on international laws and standards relating to child victims’ right to access and seek justice and remedy for sexual exploitation;

· Assisting in drafting, revising and finalizing the multi-country study on Access to Justice for child victims: (1) Right to justice; (2) Right to recovery and reintegration; (3) Right to compensation;

· Preparing advocacy briefing notes on child victims’ right to access justice and remedy for UN bodies and regional human rights mechanisms;

· Working with the Child and Youth Participation Programme to develop and launch the Child Victims’ Bill of Rights,which seeks to empower children to become active agents in their own protection;

· Assisting the Head of Legal Programme in developing UN interventions on access to justice for the UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures, and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child;

· Assisting the Head of Legal Programme on UN advocacy generally – supporting ECPAT network members in the UPR process; providing assistance to network members on drafting alternative submissions for the CRC Committee; and responding to request of the UN Special Procedures on matters relating to sexual exploitation of children.

Required qualifications

· Masters level degree (or equivalent) in law, human rights or other related discipline;

· Demonstrated knowledge of child rights instruments and monitoring processes;

· Work experience with non-government organizations would be an asset;

· Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is an asset.

Competencies

· Demonstrated commitment to ECPAT’s vision, values and principles;

· Excellent writing, speaking and presentation skills;

· The ability to analyse complex and/or multi-sourced information and summarise it for a range of different audiences;

· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

A modest stipend of 10,000 Bath/month (around $300 USD) will be made available to the intern who is not sponsored by other organizations or institutions. All other costs related to the internship, i.e., travel, passport, visa or living costs in Bangkok, are to be borne by the intern or his/her sponsoring institution or organization.

To apply, please e-mail your CV and cover letter, with your name and the position title in the subject line to vacancy@ecpat.net

For further information on the application process, please visit:

http://www.ecpat.net/employment