Program Assistant, Civil Society Initiatives

Organization profile 

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes.  Be part of a growing international organization that is dedicated to tackling this global challenge.  

The aim of The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) Syria Program is to establish the foundations for an effective and sustainable mechanism to address the issue of the missing in a future post-conflict Syria. The program will focus on:

• contributing to increased understanding among victims, civil society and key stakeholders regarding processes, standards and rights of victims and survivors who are involved in accounting for missing persons
• establishing the conditions to launch a participative process of data collection that empowers and engages families of the missing
• increasing the capacity of Syrian families, legal experts and other stakeholders to foster an impartial and law-based approach to accounting for missing persons in post-conflict Syria.

To learn more about ICMP click here.

Position Background

The Program Assistant works with Syrian families of the missing, enhancing their capacity to be engaged in addressing the issue of missing persons and promoting a process of data collection related to missing persons. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Data Coordination, and in close cooperation with the Head of Program (in Beirut), the duties of the Program Assistant will include, but may not be limited to:

• Supporting the identification of key stakeholders and the development of trust and working relationships with community leaders, civil society, and representatives of family associations;
• Supporting the organization of capacity-building events and meetings with communities, families of missing persons and NGOs; 

• Supporting the management of ICMP’s Small Grants program;
• Participating in relevant coordination meetings across the region;
• Conducting research to contribute to the design and implementation of outreach and data collection efforts;
• Monitoring political and social developments to identify threats and opportunities to ICMP’s objectives;
• Contributing to the implementation of public information and visibility strategies in coordination with headquarters; 
• Assisting in the development of relationships conducive to securing cooperation with ICMP and access to affected communities; 
• Supporting the design of tools for ICMP staff and relevant partners related to the collection and entry of data, including reference genetic data;
• Providing support to ensure the proper use of ICMP’s data collection applications and modules, including the Identification Database Management System (iDMS) and the Online Inquiry Centre (OIC);
• Organizing and supporting field or in-house reference data collection campaigns;
• Undertaking data entry activities;
• Contributing to the preparation of relevant reports on data gathered or shared, and to any other internal or external reporting;
• Assisting in the translation of tools, materials and collected data, and providing interpretation support to ICMP's international staff during events and meetings;
• Supporting relevant administrative tasks; and
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Post-secondary education in political science, sociology, law, or other relevant discipline;
• At least five years related working experience;
• Experience working with civil society organizations;
• Proven record of experience in the field of human rights or humanitarian assistance;
• Experience in documentation of human rights or working directly with victims will be considered an asset;
• In-depth understanding of the Syrian conflict and the region, as well as work experience related to Syria and the region is desirable; 

• Demonstrable experience organizing events and meetings and handling logistics;
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills;
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation and presentation skills, including frequent report writing; 

• Excellent planning and prioritization skills, including the ability to think and operate strategically.

Additional requirements:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English, Arabic, and Turkish.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender;
• Willingness to travel and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings;
• Legally entitled to work in Turkey.

HOW TO APPLY: By email, send a Curriculum Vitae with cover letter and three work-related references to applications@icmp.int.  Please state Reference VN 003/2018, Program Assistant in the subject line.

Vacancy Close Date: Review of applications will begin on 29 January 2018; however, the vacancy will remain open until filled.

ICMP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. 

We thank all applicants for their interest. 

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.