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 focuses on addressing the issue of missing persons in Syria, aiming to provide accountability and support to families affected by the conflict. The IIMP operates with a commitment to uphold human rights and ensure that the voices of the missing and their families are heard. The institution is relatively new, reflecting the ongoing need for dedicated efforts in the realm of human rights in conflict zones. It is expected to engage with various stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and civil society, to fulfill its mission effectively. The organization is based in Geneva, Switzerland, but may have operations in other locations relevant to its mandate, including potential relocation to Damascus, Syria, or other areas as necessary.

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Rights Officer will play a pivotal role in coordinating and overseeing the preparation of institutional reports on the implementation of the IIMP's 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 officer 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 human rights issues. The role involves negotiating human rights elements of peace accords and proposing policy directives to relevant UN bodies for addressing human rights problems. The officer will also be responsible for designing and implementing significant policy and program changes to tackle regional or global human rights issues, ensuring that the institution's work aligns with its strategic priorities and objectives. This position demands a high level of professionalism, accountability, and the ability to manage complex human rights challenges effectively.

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 mandate implementation 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 of peace accords and addressing human rights concerns in conflict resolution processes.
• Proposing policy directives and plans of action to 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.
• Formulating the programme of work, budget, and medium-term plan for the unit.
• 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 policies. 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 strong set of qualifications, including:

• Extensive knowledge of human rights issues and approaches to address complex problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender, and socio-economic dimensions.
• Ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources and assess its impact on human rights situations.
• Proven ability to conduct in-depth studies and reach conclusions on human rights problems.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and support decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to empower others to achieve results.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex information effectively.
• Commitment to gender equality and the ability to incorporate gender perspectives into all areas of work.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

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 to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to address complex human rights issues effectively.

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, experience in engaging with Member States and international partners, including preparation of briefings and representation in high-level meetings, is required. Experience in providing legal and policy outputs related to missing persons is also essential. Desirable experience includes monitoring the implementation of institutional priorities and work plans across multiple units or sections.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, both of which are required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the organization. Additionally, knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it may enhance the ability to engage with stakeholders in the region and address human rights issues more effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve a contract duration that is subject to change based on the operational needs of the institution. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for the possibility of relocation to Damascus, Syria, or other relevant locations as determined by the institution's operations. The position is open to both national and international applicants, and compensation and benefits will be aligned with UN standards and regulations.