UN is Hiring 2 Human Rights Officers for Syria Missing Persons Mission with Potential Duty Station in Damascus.The United Nations Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) is recruiting for two Human Rights Officer (P-3) positions. These Geneva-based roles are critical for engaging with families of the disappeared and require a willingness to potentially relocate to Damascus, Syria. We are advertising for professionals with 5+ years of experience in human rights, victim engagement, and data analysis, with full fluency in English and Arabic being mandatory. If you have expertise in missing persons cases, conflict-related human rights work, and a victim-centered approach, apply now for these high-impact positions with a competitive UN P-3 salary and benefits package.
Background & Job Description
This job post is presented for informational and application purposes by our platform. We are an independent job board and are not affiliated with the United Nations or the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP). All information is sourced from the official UN vacancy announcement.
The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) is a landmark UN entity established by the General Assembly in June 2023 through resolution 77/301. Its mandate is to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, to provide adequate support to victims, survivors, and their families, and to help consolidate a process of accountability and reconciliation after more than a decade of conflict. The work of the IIMP is among the most sensitive and crucial human rights endeavors within the UN system, addressing one of the most profound humanitarian tragedies of our time.
These two Human Rights Officer (P-3) positions are located within the Participation and Family Support Section of the IIMP. The roles are currently based in Geneva, Switzerland, but applicants must be aware of and accept a critical condition of employment: the duty station may be changed to Damascus, Syria, or another location relevant to the Institution’s operations, in accordance with UN regulations. This potential reassignment is central to the mission’s evolving needs as it seeks to establish a direct presence on the ground.
The incumbents will report to a senior Human Rights Officer and will be at the forefront of the IIMP’s operational work. Their primary focus will be on implementing a victim-centered and gender-sensitive approach in all activities related to engaging with the families of missing persons. This involves not only the meticulous documentation of cases but also ensuring that the voices, needs, and rights of survivors and families guide the Institution’s strategic direction. The work is emotionally demanding and requires the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and empathy.
Tasks
The Human Rights Officers will be responsible for a wide range of strategic, analytical, and operational tasks, including:
1. Victim Engagement and Support Coordination
- Plan and coordinate all activities related to the engagement with victims, survivors, and families of missing persons, ensuring all interactions are conducted with dignity, respect, and from a gender and victim-centered perspective.
- Support the development and maintenance of robust referral networks with relevant organizations and service providers (e.g., for legal, psychosocial, or medical assistance) to ensure families receive comprehensive support.
- Implement and manage tools to strengthen participation and feedback mechanisms, allowing families to actively contribute to and shape the IIMP’s work.
2. Human Rights Research, Investigation, and Analysis
- Conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues and events related to enforced disappearances and missing persons, assessing their impact on the human rights situation in the region.
- Collect and analyze human rights data and indicators, including gender-specific and victim-related data, to identify patterns and trends in disappearances.
- Supervise and conduct field verification work, which may include periodic visits to relevant locations, to follow up on different cases and situations.
3. Reporting, Advocacy, and Integration
- Write a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, and guidance materials for both internal use and submission to policy-making bodies, ensuring all documents accurately reflect a victim-centered approach.
- Represent the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings with governments, NGOs, UN agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Work to ensure that human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions, are integrated into broader political, humanitarian, and economic efforts related to Syria.
4. Capacity Building and Data Management
- Direct capacity-building efforts for national and local partners on human rights standards and methodologies related to missing persons.
- Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns, providing insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning and decision-making within the Institution.
- May provide guidance and supervision to new or more junior staff members.
UN is Hiring 2 Human Rights Officers for Syria Missing Persons Mission with Potential Duty Station in Damascus
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related area is required.
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
Required Experience:
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area.
- Direct, hands-on experience working and engaging with victims and survivors of conflict and human rights abuses is a mandatory requirement.
- Proven experience in research, analysis, and drafting detailed human rights reports.
Desired Experience:
- Experience working on mandates or programmes specifically related to the search for missing persons is highly desirable.
- Experience contributing to the design or implementation of referral systems or coordination with service providers for legal, psychosocial, or other assistance is desirable.
- Professional experience working in or on the Syrian Arab Republic is a significant asset.
Additional Information
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory. For both languages, the required proficiency is UN Level III (“Fluent”) in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Contract & Compensation Details:
- Post Level: P-3
- Duty Station: Initially Geneva, Switzerland. Applicants must confirm their willingness to be reassigned to Damascus, Syria, or another operational location if required.
- Department/Office: Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP)
- Application Deadline: December 16, 2025
Assessment Method:
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice:
- The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Applicants from Member States that are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat are strongly encouraged to apply. A list of these countries is provided in the official vacancy announcement.
- The appointment is subject to the availability of funds, budgetary approval, and extension of the mandate.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, organizational needs, and the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. The UN is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
Scam Alert:
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or training).
How to Apply:
All applications must be submitted through the official UN recruitment platform, Inspira.
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