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 the context of the Syrian conflict, focusing on the rights and needs of victims, survivors, and their families. The IIMP aims to provide a comprehensive approach to the challenges faced by these individuals, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are upheld. The institution operates with a commitment to human rights principles and seeks to engage with various stakeholders to promote accountability and support for affected communities. The IIMP is relatively new, and its establishment reflects the international community's recognition of the importance of addressing the plight of missing persons in Syria. The organization is expected to grow in terms of personnel and operational capacity as it develops its programs and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is critical within the IIMP, focusing on the engagement with victims, survivors, and families of missing persons. The role involves planning and coordinating activities that are sensitive to gender and victim-centered perspectives. The officer will conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues, assessing their impact on the situation in the assigned region or country. This includes collecting and analyzing human rights data, implementing tools to strengthen participation and feedback mechanisms, and ensuring that human rights considerations are integrated into broader political, humanitarian, and economic efforts. The officer will also supervise field verification work, represent the UN human rights program at meetings, and direct capacity-building efforts in the region. The position requires a strong commitment to victim-centered engagement and the ability to produce various reports and communications that align with institutional policies and standards. The Human Rights Officer will also be responsible for data analysis and visualization to support decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for a range of duties, including: planning and coordinating activities related to engagement with victims and families; conducting research and analysis of human rights issues; collecting and analyzing human rights data; ensuring integration of human rights issues into various efforts; defining work plans; supervising field verification work; representing the UN human rights program at meetings; directing capacity-building efforts; writing reports and communications; providing guidance to junior staff; and performing other related duties as required. The officer will also be expected to identify trends or patterns in data and provide insights through various data visualization methods to enable informed decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including the ability to identify related problems across various dimensions such as political, ethnic, racial, gender equality, and socio-economic factors. Knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies, and procedures is essential. Candidates should demonstrate research and analytical skills, including the ability to draft human rights reports and evaluate information from diverse sources. Professionalism, teamwork, and client orientation are critical competencies for this role, as the officer will work collaboratively with colleagues and engage with clients to meet their needs effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related area 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 crucial for understanding the complex legal and political frameworks surrounding human rights issues.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Candidates must have experience working directly with victims and survivors of conflict and human rights abuses. Experience related to the search for missing persons, including the design or implementation of referral systems or coordination with service providers, is desirable. Familiarity with the context of the Syrian Arab Republic is also considered an asset, as it will enhance the officer's ability to engage effectively with the relevant stakeholders.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is one of the official languages of the UN. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their language skills according to the UN Language Framework, which outlines the minimum required levels for each language skill.

Additional Notes:
The position is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland, but may be subject to relocation to Damascus, Syria, or another relevant location as determined by the institution's operations. Applicants should be prepared for potential reassignment in accordance with UN regulations and rules. The job does not specify the contract duration or seniority level, but it is implied that the role is full-time and may involve international recruitment.