Questionnaire for Interview of Chief Commissioner & Commissioners

Interview of short-listed Candidates for the position of Chief Commissioner & Commissioners of Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR)

Suggested Questionnaire
March 2006

INCHR nominees are expected to meet the following qualifications:

• While it is not a requirement that a prospective nominee demonstrate academic excellence, he/she is nonetheless expected to have essential skills to carry out his/her duties as a human rights commissioner. (professionalism/quality of work)

• All nominees should be people of high moral character known for their acumen, professional integrity and human rights commitment. They must never have been convicted of human rights violations/abuses, and/or illicit acts such as corruption. (Integrity)

• To the extent possible, the composition of the Commissioners should reflect the pluralist nature of Liberian society in terms of sex, ethnicity, language and religion. It must be gender-balanced and should be sensitive to the diversities in the Liberian society, recognising the importance of tolerance and co-existence. (Respect for diversity)

• In accordance with international practice that the minority communities or indigenous groups which are considered deprived in terms of human rights owing to historical prejudices shall be proportionally represented. (Representation)

• There must be representation of nongovernmental organizations or professional associations involved in the protection and promotion of human rights, or such bodies as universities, and other civil society groups. (Recognition of the role of civil society)

• The Chairperson shall be a senior lawyer with a proven professional excellence and commitment to human rights and rule of law. Additionally, a person eligible for appointment as the Chairperson or Commissioner must also possess the following qualifications:

(a) be a national of Liberia
(b) have attained age of forty
(c) not be convicted by a court of any criminal offence involving moral turpitude. (Statutory Conditions)

• Last, but not the least, there must be a “full term” and “full time” commitment on the part of all commissioners who are nominated by the expert committee.

INITIAL PROCEDURES

• Introduce the members of the independent committee of experts (the interview panel) to each interviewee before the interview starts

• Explain the nature of the selection/nomination process to each candidate

• There are altogether EIGHT CORE QUESTIONS suggested here. The panel can decide which question to ask, and which to be ignored, as the interview progresses

• Each candidate should be interviewed for about 40 minutes, but not more than 60 minutes.

• The panel members should give their rating only after a ten minute discussion after each interview.

TO BEGIN WITH each candidate should be asked to give a ten-minute presentation introducing himself/herself and explaining why he/she considers himself/herself as a qualified, competent and right candidate for the position of the commissioner of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).

Directive: A candidate should explain his/her

• basic motivation to be a commissioner
• relevant background experience
• his/her present range of human rights activities
• capacity
• professional achievements, and
• vision for the future of INCHR

The ten-minute presentation of the candidate should serve as the basis for follow up questions to be asked to him/her. The first set of questions deal with core values and the second with the required competences. All the questions are indicative and can be reformulated - based on the answers given by the interviewee.

Set – 1 : QUESTIONS ON CORE VALUES: INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY & GENDER

1. Questions on INTEGRITY

• What should be the core values of a human rights commissioner?
• How would you describe yourself as a person of integrity?
• Have you ever been accused or convicted of any crime including corruption in Liberia or abroad?
• Can you cite a couple of examples that would show you uphold the rule of law even in critical situations?
• What is your understanding of impunity? Is it ever justified?

[A qualified candidate would uphold the rule of law; demonstrate the values of a human rights institution including impartiality, fairness, honesty and truthfulness, in daily activities and behaviours; acts without consideration of personal gain; resists undue political pressure in decision-making; does not abuse power or authority; stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interests even if they are unpopular; and takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour].

2. Questions on PROFESSIONALISM / QUALITY OF WORK

• What are human rights? (“…sum of inalienable individual and collective rights laid down in state constitutions and international law”)

•What state obligations arise from human rights (“obligation to respect,” “obligation to protect”, “obligation to fulfill”, “progressive realization” “provision of domestic remedies” “international court” etc)

•What have you done to uphold (1) civil and political rights and (2) economic, social and cultural rights?

• What are the major human rights issues/concerns in Liberia?

• What is your main professional strength?

• Do you have any managerial experience?
• Have you ever failed to solve any problem as an adult in your professional life?

[A qualified candidate has the basic understanding about human rights; shows pride in work and achievements in this area; demonstrates professional competence [and mastery of] in at least one area of human rights and protection; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; and remains calm in stressful situations].

3. Question on RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY/GENDER

• What form of discrimination exist in present day Liberia/
• Can you suggest to us which religion is best of all?
• In what way is your ethnic group is different from the other groups in the country? Should such differences be allowed to remain?
• What is there in your cv that shows you are gender sensitive?

[A qualified candidate works effectively with people from all backgrounds; treats all people with dignity and respect.; treats men and women equally; shows respect for, and understanding of, diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision making; examines own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses; does not discriminate against any individual or group; and includes a gender perspective in substantive work].

Set – II : COMPETENCES

4. Question on COMMUNICATION

• [No question to be asked]
• Judge the candidate on the basis of your experience with him/her during the interview.

[A qualified candidate speaks clearly and effectively; listens to the panel with patience; correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the panel; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping the panel informed].

5. Question on TEAMWORK / INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Are you a team player? If so, explain how you do it?
• Who should take responsibility if team work does not fully succeed?
• What is your preferred mode of decision making?
• How do you make people around you comfortable and trusting?

[A qualified candidate works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; and shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings].

6. Question on PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION

• In your opinion, what are the human rights priorities of this country?
• How could INCHR begin addressing those priorities?
• Have you ever facilitated the development of an action plan and then proceeded to implement that plan?

[A qualified candidate develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments: adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work (volume of work); foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently; willing to volunteer for additional duties; and ability to maintain quality of work].

7. Question on JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING

• Please explain a major institutional decision that you have made?
• How did you take the decision?
• What was the effect and or consequences?
• Do you sometime feel that you should correct yourself, or your approach to a certain problem?

[A qualified candidate identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; and makes tough decisions when necessary].

8. Question on BUILDING TRUST
• How do you maintain transparency, build trust with your colleagues, and develop agendas?
• What is your preferred working methodology?
• How much time do you spend with your colleagues?
• Do they comment and/or disagree with your decisions sometimes? If so, how do you respond?
• How do you respond to their personal issues?

[A qualified candidate operates with transparency, has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed actions; and treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately].

Note: Please thank the candidate for his/her time, answer if there are queries from him/her on this exercise, and let him/her an idea about the proposed date/s for results.

[Source: Dr Bipin Adhikari]