HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (INVESTIGATOR COORDINATOR)

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 2023. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Search and Identification Section, or his/her designee.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. Supports the work of treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
• Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
• Meets regularly with the peacekeeping team including UN staff, national officials as well as Military and Police officers to plan projects and review project activities.
• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and investigations relating to missing persons, analyzes information and evidence collected through investigative activities, reviews investigative briefs and analytical products prepared by team members, and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments, families of missing persons and other relevant stakeholders on coordination, investigative and policy matters, including matters related to case registration, participation and disclosure of findings; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Assists country military and police to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, the coordination and supervision of investigative activities relating to missing persons, including the collection, recording, preservation and assessment of information and evidence, as well as administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
• Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including missing persons investigations and victim-centred approaches involving families of missing persons and survivors, as well as approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience conducting or supervising investigations relating to human rights violations and missing persons is required. Experience engaging directly with victims, survivors and families of missing persons in the context of human rights, investigative, accountability or transitional justice processes is desirable. Experience in data analysis, information management and case management systems, including the use of e-discovery tools in support of investigations, human rights work, accountability processes or related analytical functions, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.