NGO Centre for Monitoring and Research, CeMI from Podgorica, in cooperation with NGO Centre for Civic Freedoms CEGAS and NGO Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro CIN CG, is implementing a project entitled "Support to EU Integration of Montenegro - for an Independent and Professional Judiciary as a Key Prerequisite" EuropeAid/176851/DD/ACT/ME, funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights Program for Montenegro 2022, EIDHR. The project lasts for 24 months, from January 3, 2024, to January 2, 2026, while trial monitoring will take place continuously for 12 months.

General Information:

One of the most significant project activities is focused on monitoring court proceedings in Montenegrin courts. Trial monitoring activities are conducted according to the OSCE methodology for monitoring court proceedings, developed by CeMI and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro under the trial monitoring program implemented from 2007 to 2014. Afterward, CeMI, along with its partners, implemented several projects containing a component of monitoring court proceedings. In the last trial observation project implemented by CeMI from 2021 to 2023, CeMI observers monitored over 200 hearings in criminal proceedings and reviewed the files of over 400 legally concluded criminal cases.

Given that the European Union has invested significant funds in recent years to strengthen the capacities of judges, prosecutors, and other stakeholders for the application of international fair trial standards, and that systematic monitoring of judicial/prosecutorial proceedings is one of the methods for assessing whether the results of the work of judges and prosecutors are in line with European standards, CeMI will focus on monitoring court cases with a focus on respecting the procedural rights of suspects/accused persons and victims in Montenegro.

The application of the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, international legal cooperation, free legal aid, respect for the rights of defendants and victims, and anti-discrimination are just some of the key aspects that will be the focus of monitoring, as some legal mechanisms are either recently adopted or their implementation in practice is insufficiently researched.

Position Purpose

Trial Monitor (1 position)

The selected Trial Monitor will be responsible for directly monitoring ongoing court proceedings, as well as analyzing the files of legally concluded court cases to conduct thematic research and research on the efficiency of the judiciary regarding the duration of proceedings and trials. The subject of monitoring will be randomly selected court proceedings in all Basic Courts in Montenegro and in the Higher Courts in Podgorica and Bijelo Polje. The Monitor will follow a standardized form during the monitoring process to ensure the monitoring of key aspects of the procedure related to fair trial standards. Monitors will produce individual reports for each monitored hearing and enter them into CeMI's internal database for further research and comparative analysis.

The Trial Monitor will be engaged for 40 hours per week, and the tasks will be performed at the premises of the NGO Center for Monitoring and Research, CeMI, and in the field. For all tasks carried out outside the territory of Podgorica, travel expenses and per diems will be reimbursed to the Monitor.

Duration: 12 months

Required Qualifications:

·       Higher education degree - Level VII, 1st level of education qualification - graduated lawyer;

·       Minimum three years of work experience in the profession, in the same or similar positions;

·       Excellent analytical skills;

·       Ability to work in a team;

·       Previous experience in working with judicial institutions in Montenegro will be considered an advantage.

 Required Documentation:

· Application (in a free form containing information about the candidate's motives for applying for the position)

· Resume or CV;

· Copy of diploma or certificate of completed level and type of education;

· Proof of required work experience (Certificate/Confirmation/Copy of excerpt from employment record book).

Application Process:

Applications with attached documentation should be sent to the email address: dubravka.tomic@cemi.org.me, by Monday, April 8, until 10 am. Incomplete applications and applications received after the specified deadline will not be considered. The NGO Centre for Monitoring and Research will inform only the candidates who have been shortlisted about the results of the competition.