Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Special Court for Sierra Leone is not a United Nations body. It is an international organization in its own right created by an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone.
Vacancy Announcement
External/Internal

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER SCSL-2003-0007Recirc
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 3 FEBRUARY 2004
POST TITLE AND LEVEL PRINCIPAL DEFENDER, D-2
POST NUMBER SCSL-REGJDC/1000.52/03-D-2-001
DUTY STATION SIERRA LEONE (FREETOWN)
ORGANISATIONAL UNIT THE REGISTRY, DEFENCE OFFICE
SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE
MINIMUM NET ANNUAL (SINGLE RATE ONLY)
IN ADDITION LIVING ALLOWANCE (CURRENTLY PER DAY)
IN ADDITION MINIMUM ANNUAL LUMP SUM		 US$ 88,571
US$ 115 from date of duty while in Sierra Leone.
US$ 6,200 for staff members without dependents;
US$ 17,573 for staff members with dependents.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The creation of a Defence Office, headed by a Principal Defender is an innovation in the structure of International Courts and Tribunals, intended to ensure the rights of suspects and accused persons and provide a structural counterbalance to the Prosecution.
The Principal Defender shall provide legal assistance and adequate facilities for the defence in accordance with the Statute and Rules of the Court and other applicable rules. The Principal Defender shall establish and develop the Defence Office, policies and procedures ensuring, inter alia: - Drafting of the Directive on Legal Assistance provided by the Special Court;
- Duty counsel for accused upon transfer into the custody of the Court;
- Declaration of means by defendants;
- Provision of legal assistance in accordance with the Statute and Rules by assigning and retaining counsel for indigent defendants, supporting such investigation, research, witness searches as necessary for the adequate preparation of assigned cases on behalf of indigent clients;
- Provision of defence team support facilities;
- Respect for the code of professional conduct;
- Consultations and liaison with the Chief of Detention facility on matters relating to the rights of the accused, counsel-client privilege, visiting hours, medical treatment, etc.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

University degree in Law. Admission to practice in law in any State, common law jurisdiction an asset. Fifteen years of relevant criminal advocacy experience, including high profile criminal defence. Knowledge of International Criminal Tribunal procedures, comparative common law / civil law procedures an asset. Experience of international human rights defence (asylum, extradition, war crimes, etc.). Excellent drafting skills, management skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills, preferably including experience in a multi-cultural setting.




LANGUAGES:

Fluency in English.
Note: The Registrar, at his discretion, has the authority to recruit a candidate at a lower grade.

Staff members of the Special Court will not serve as staff members of the United Nations. Staff members of the United Nations System may serve on a loan arrangement to be concluded with the Special Court. External appointments are limited to the Special Court only. In accordance with Article 24 of the Statute of the Special Court for Sierra Leone the working language will be English.
1. Both internal and external applicants are requested to send a detailed curriculum vitae including date of birth, nationality, educational qualifications, a summary of professional skills and/or expertise, a summary of relevant work experience, publications written and languages spoken, and to complete a Special Court Personal History Form available upon request from scsl-personnel@un.org (please type "Request for Personal History Form" in the subject heading).
2. ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT BY MAIL TO:

Chief of Personnel, Special Court for Sierra Leone, New England, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
OR BY EMAIL TO: scsl-personnel@un.org
OR BY FAX to + 39 0831 236996 / + 212 963 0507 (UNAMSIL)
3. Sierra Leone is a non-family duty station.

PLEASE INDICATE THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER ON THE ENVELOPE OR THE FAX, AND ON THE APPLICATION.
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Date of Issuance: 12 December 2003