Senior 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 focused on addressing the issue of missing persons in Syria, aiming to provide accountability and support to families affected by the conflict. The IIMP operates under the auspices of the United Nations and is committed to upholding human rights and humanitarian principles in its work. The institution is relatively new, and its establishment reflects the international community's recognition of the need for a dedicated body to address the complex issues surrounding missing persons in conflict situations. The organization is expected to engage with various stakeholders, including Member States and international partners, to fulfill its mandate effectively. As it is a newly established entity, the number of employees and the specific countries of operation may evolve as the institution develops its programs and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in the IIMP by coordinating and overseeing the preparation of institutional reports on the implementation of its mandate. This position requires a strategic thinker who can formulate and coordinate the implementation of work plans across various sections, ensuring that gender equality perspectives are integrated into all aspects of the work. The incumbent will advise the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on human rights matters and represent the institution in high-level meetings, engaging with Member States and international partners on critical issues. The role also involves negotiating human rights elements in peace accords and proposing policy directives to address human rights problems in specific geographical areas. The Senior Human Rights Officer will be responsible for designing and implementing significant policy and program changes to address regional or global human rights issues, including their gender dimensions. This position demands a proactive approach to developing the program of work, budget, and medium-term plans, as well as preparing human rights reports on key sectors or developments. The officer will also maintain high-level relations with government officials and coordinate human rights research initiatives, ensuring that data is effectively collected and analyzed to inform decision-making and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Human Rights Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Coordinating and overseeing the preparation of institutional reports on the implementation of the IIMP's mandate for submission to intergovernmental bodies.
• Formulating and coordinating the implementation of strategic priorities and work plans across sections, with a focus on gender equality.
• Advising the SRSG on human rights matters and representing the institution in high-level meetings.
• Negotiating human rights elements in peace accords and addressing human rights concerns in long-range solutions.
• Proposing policy directives and action plans to appropriate UN bodies for immediate and long-range solutions to human rights issues.
• Designing, developing, and implementing significant policy and program changes to address human rights issues, including gender dimensions.
• Formulating the program of work, budget, and medium-term plan for the unit and participating in the overall formulation and approval of the program of work.
• Preparing human rights reports on key sectors or regional developments.
• Developing and maintaining relations with high-level government officials and advising them on human rights issues. 1
• Coordinating and overseeing human rights research initiatives. 1
• Managing and supervising other human rights officers or organizational segments as assigned. 1
• Leading efforts to collect and analyze data to identify trends for data-driven planning and reporting. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a comprehensive set of qualifications, including:

• Extensive knowledge of human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex problems.
• Familiarity with the institutional mandates of human rights organizations and prevailing policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources and assess its impact on the human rights situation in the region.
• Strong analytical skills to conduct in-depth studies and reach conclusions on human rights problems.
• Ability to relate human rights issues to political, social, economic, and humanitarian programs.
• Demonstrated professional competence and mastery of subject matter, with a commitment to achieving results.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to empower others and drive change.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize activities and allocate resources effectively.
• Accountability for responsibilities and commitments, ensuring compliance with organizational regulations. 1
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish relationships and resolve conflicts.

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

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area. This experience should include supporting senior leadership in coordinating reporting on the implementation of humanitarian or human rights mandates to intergovernmental bodies. Additionally, candidates should have experience in engaging with Member States and international partners, including preparing briefings and representing the institution in high-level meetings. Experience providing legal and policy outputs related to missing persons is also required, along with experience in monitoring the implementation of institutional priorities across multiple units or sections, which is desirable.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, both of which are required for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both languages. Additionally, proficiency in Arabic is desirable, with a minimum requirement of UN Level II in all language skills. This multilingual capability is essential for effective communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The appointment or assignment to this position is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization also emphasizes the importance of recruiting staff from unrepresented or underrepresented Member States. Candidates should be aware that the position may be relocated to Damascus, Syria, or another relevant location, and by applying, they confirm their willingness to accept such reassignment in accordance with UN regulations. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and the United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.