Mexico Media Freedom Research Consultant

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Mexico Media Freedom Research Consultant
Location: Mexico City
Country: Mexico
Deadline Date: December 20th, 2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The American Bar Association (ABA) Center for Human Rights (CHR) is dedicated to addressing critical human rights issues both in the United States and globally. Established to mobilize legal professionals, the CHR focuses on defending advocates who are under threat, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that governments are held accountable under the law. The organization plays a pivotal role in promoting justice and human rights through various initiatives and programs.

Job Overview:
The position of Media Freedom Research Consultant is crucial for the ABA's new program that aims to investigate state-level criminal codes in Mexico, particularly those that facilitate defamation suits against journalists. The consultant will work closely with ABA staff to conduct comprehensive research and analysis on media freedom issues, focusing on the legal frameworks that impact journalists and civil society in Mexico. This role requires a deep understanding of the intersection between law and media freedom, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders to gather insights and data.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Media Freedom Research Consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including: identifying state-level criminal codes that contain provisions for prosecuting defamation; conducting thorough legal research and analysis of domestic laws and practices; gathering and reviewing case documents from preliminary proceedings and selected judgments; arranging and conducting interviews with key informants such as defense lawyers, journalists, and law professors; drafting a comprehensive report that analyzes trends and patterns in state-level criminal codes related to criminal defamation cases against journalists; mapping the current laws and regulations that govern civil society in Mexico; and performing any other related tasks as agreed upon with the ABA.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 6 years of experience in conducting research for NGOs or international organizations, with a specific focus on media freedom issues. Familiarity with the media freedom landscape in Mexico is essential, along with a solid understanding of Mexican domestic law, particularly the crime code and legal procedures. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, as well as creativity and flexibility in approach.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, a background in law, human rights, or a related field is likely preferred given the nature of the work and the need for legal analysis.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, particularly in research roles focused on media freedom and human rights issues. Experience working with NGOs or international organizations is highly valued, as is familiarity with the legal context in Mexico.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as the consultant will need to engage with local stakeholders and analyze legal documents in Spanish. Proficiency in English is strongly preferred to facilitate communication with the ABA and to draft reports that may be shared with an international audience.

Additional Notes:
The application process requires candidates to submit a summary of their past work and a short statement of interest by the deadline of December 20th, 202

• Interviews will be conducted within two weeks following the application deadline. This position may be contracted on a temporary basis, and the specific terms of engagement will be discussed with the selected candidate.