WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION
Ghanaian law follows Common Law, which is based on the British system. Each day
is different with new and interesting cases coming through and thus neither we nor
the Centre can say exactly what you will be doing daily. However expect to deal
with different tasks from day to day.
There will be opportunities to get involved in current legal issues, both through
dealing directly with clients and
researching broader cases. You will be able to learn how to deal with clients and
get an insight into everyday life in a legal office. The types of work you could
be doing includes:
- Working on research projects or writing articles about current topics and human
rights issues
- Writing content for the Centre’s website
- Court trips
- Organising Seminars and Workshops
- Trips outside of Accra for fact-finding, seminars and workshops
- Assisting staff members in their day to day activities
- If you have a case of your own you will be able to interview clients, write letters
and notifications concerning the
cases or have appointments, for example, at Court.
WORK HOURS:
You will work from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, which means you usually have
the weekend to travel. However there are workshops on Saturdays from time to time
and you may be expected to attend. Your working hours may vary as well depending
on the day to day activities.
ABOUT THE CENTRE:
All over the world today, many vulnerable people suffer human rights abuse each
day because they lack the basic knowledge of their rights as individuals - this
is where the Centre comes in. Established in 2008, the NGO is a non-profit organisation
believe that securing basic human rights in Ghana requires an effective frontline
organisation equipped with essential advocacy and research skills, and legal expertise
in dealing with individuals whose activities result in human rights violations in
the country.
Their mission is to ensure the realisation, respect, promotion and protection of
the rights of all people living in Ghana in accordance with Ghanaian law and international
standards. As well as increasing human rights awareness and the adoption of a sustainable
human rights culture by public officers in Ghana.
The Centre started in the Greater Accra region of Ghana and now operates all across
the country and has become a respected human rights organisation, both within Ghana
and globally. Within the human rights field, the work of the Centre focuses primarily
on three main areas; research, advocacy and the provision of free legal aid services.
The Objectives of the Centre are to:
- Conduct human rights advocacy and research
- Protect and promote women and children’s rights
- Advocate good governance, accountability and transparency on key policies
- Promote and advocate reproductive health rights initiate and support public interest
litigation
- Monitor and advocate democratic policing
- Conduct prison visits and advocate the rights of prisoners
- Monitor and evaluate compliance with international, regional and national human
rights standards
- Educate and create awareness about human rights
- Offer human rights training for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Security
Agencies and Civil Society Organizations.
Working in a structured Work Experience placement in the developing world, plus
the experience you gain, will be an excellent entry on your CV or Résumé.