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 is dedicated to addressing the issue of missing persons in Syria, focusing on the rights and needs of victims and their families. The IIMP aims to provide a platform for the voices of those affected by the conflict and to ensure that their perspectives inform the institution's strategies and operations. The organization operates under the auspices of the United Nations and is committed to upholding international human rights standards.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of international human rights instruments, including the recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. The officer will support the work of treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms, preparing relevant human rights reports for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council. A significant aspect of the role involves engaging with victims, survivors, and families of missing persons, ensuring their perspectives inform the institution's strategies. The officer will also work with UN and non-governmental programs to integrate human rights into their initiatives, ensuring that gender dimensions are considered. The position requires a proactive approach to collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating activities related to international human rights instruments. This includes preparing reports, leading engagement with victims and families, and ensuring their needs are addressed in the institution's strategies. The officer will collaborate with UN and non-governmental organizations to integrate human rights into programs, develop training for military and police on human rights and international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law, and maintain partnerships with relevant organizations. Additional responsibilities include supervising staff, collecting and analyzing data, and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of human rights issues, including the ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources. Skills in training civil authorities and advocacy groups are essential, as is the ability to analyze and interpret data for decision-making. The officer should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication, and client orientation, ensuring that the needs of victims and survivors are prioritized in all actions.

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.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Experience working directly with victims and survivors of conflict and human rights abuses is essential, as is experience related to the search for missing persons. Desirable experience includes establishing referral networks for support services and managing staff in the context of victim assistance or human rights work. Familiarity with the Syrian Arab Republic is also desirable.

Languages:
English and Arabic are required for this position, with proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, and the position may be relocated to Damascus, Syria, or another relevant location. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and adheres to strict ethical standards in recruitment.