THE INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION (IJC)
The Independent Judicial Commission (IJC) is the lead agency for the co-ordination of judicial reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It provides opinions and advice to Ministries of Justice, judges, prosecutors, court administrators and members of the international community regarding the process of judicial reform and the promotion of the rule of law, and serves as a focal point for international assistance to judicial reform initiatives. The IJC also has the power to intervene in the processes of entity and cantonal commissions/councils responsible for selecting and disciplining judges and prosecutors, and the one-time judicial review process. The IJC field offices are located in Banja Luka, Bihac, Brcko, Mostar, Sarajevo and Tuzla.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF POSITION
Pursuant to Dayton, Brcko District is under Supervision and has instituted substantial legal and judicial reforms. As a result, the District’s judicial structure varies from the Federation and Republika Srpska. The Head of the Brcko Field Office will be responsible for implementation of these extensive judicial reform measures. Those responsibilities includes oversight, mentoring, training and providing technical assistance to the entire judiciary; Judicial Commission, Basic Court, Appellate Court, Prosecutor’s Office and Agency for Legal Aid. Court Administration reform is an equally important component of judicial reform. Thus, the Head of the Brcko Field Office is required to render assistance in this area as well. As a result of the newly adopted laws and procedures, oversight is required of hearings and trials and other important aspects of the litigation, including mandatory mediation and misdemeanour procedures, oversight of registration and of the establishment of the commercial division within the Basic Court. Since the Prosecutor’s Office is in charge of criminal investigations, a close working relationship and training with the Brcko District Police is necessary. The Head of the Brcko Field Office is also required to render assistance to the Judicial Commission in the drafting of rules and regulations for the Brcko District Judiciary and the selection, evaluation and permanent appointments of members of the judiciary including judges, prosecutors and legal aid attorneys.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Mentoring, oversight of training and providing technical assistance to Judges, Prosecutors and Legal Aid Lawyers
- Contribute and oversight of Court Administration reform
- Organising symposium and conferences on newly adopted laws and procedures
- Liaison to various international organisations assisting OHR-North on matters relevant to judicial reform
- Assisting Judicial Commission in drafting rules and regulations for Brcko District Judiciary
- Assisting Judicial Commission in selecting, evaluating and permanently appointing members of the judiciary
- Providing legal analysis on issues and advisory opinions to the Supervisor of Brcko District
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 7 years post-degree professional experience required, in a practical legal setting
- Substantial trial experience as a prosecutor or defense counsel is essential
- Knowledge of the adversarial and accusatorial legal system is desirable
- Legal teaching/ training experience is required
- Experience with European systems and norms preferred
- Academic or policy experience desirable, particularly with European and International systems
- Drafting ability
- Mature judgment
- Ability to take initiative and work independently
Any personnel with the above qualifications should provide a CV (in English) with a one-page cover letter and references to:
Personnel Department
Office of the High Representative
Emerika Bluma 1, 71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fax: +387 (0) 33 283 771 E-mail: application@ohr.int
Please quote Reference: 2002/028
Closing date for applications: 18 February 2002