Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 77/301, adopted on 29 June 202

• The organization aims to address the issue of missing persons in Syria, ensuring accountability and justice for victims and their families. It operates under the auspices of the United Nations and is committed to upholding human rights standards and law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law in its operations. The IIMP is focused on providing support to families of missing persons and facilitating the search for truth and justice in the context of the ongoing conflict in Syria. The organization is relatively new, and its establishment reflects the international community's recognition of the need for a dedicated body to address the humanitarian crisis surrounding missing persons in the region. The IIMP is expected to work closely with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local authorities, to implement its mandate effectively.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in the implementation of international human rights instruments and will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating activities related to human rights in the context of missing persons in Syria. The incumbent will support the work of treaty-established bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, preparing relevant reports and notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments. The position requires regular collaboration with peacekeeping teams, UN staff, national officials, and military and police officers to plan and review project activities. The officer will also work with UN and non-governmental programs to integrate human rights considerations into their operations, ensuring that gender dimensions are taken into account. The role involves analyzing information and evidence related to missing persons, making recommendations for actions, and coordinating with various stakeholders to address investigative and policy matters. The Human Rights Officer will also be responsible for training and supervising new staff, collecting and analyzing data to identify trends, and performing other related duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating activities related to the implementation of international human rights instruments; preparing human rights reports for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council; meeting regularly with peacekeeping teams and other stakeholders to plan and review project activities; working with UN and non-governmental programs to integrate human rights into their operations; ensuring up-to-date information regarding human rights and investigations relating to missing persons; analyzing information and evidence collected through investigative activities; making contact with other sectors of the UN and relevant stakeholders; assisting military and police in developing training programs in human rights and international humanitarian law; serving as a team leader for investigative activities; training and supervising new staff; collecting and analyzing data to identify trends; and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, particularly in relation to missing persons investigations and victim-centered approaches. They should have the ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources and assess the impact on the human rights situation in the region. The ideal candidate will demonstrate skills in training civil authorities and advocacy groups, as well as the ability to relate human rights issues to broader political, social, and economic contexts. Professionalism, planning and organizing skills, and client orientation are essential competencies for this role. The candidate should also be able to analyze and interpret data effectively to support decision-making processes.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to address complex human rights issues effectively.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Candidates must have experience conducting or supervising investigations related to human rights violations and missing persons. Experience engaging directly with victims, survivors, and families of missing persons in the context of human rights and accountability processes is desirable. Additionally, experience in data analysis, information management, and case management systems, including the use of e-discovery tools, is also desirable.

Languages:
English and Arabic are required for this position, with both languages being the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 202

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position may be subject to relocation to Damascus, Syria, or another relevant location. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to provide complete and accurate information in their applications. The evaluation of candidates may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview.