Program Officer (International Justice)

FLSA Classification: Exempt
Location: Washington, DC
Reports To: Legal Director

About SJAC

Founded in 2012, The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting meaningful justice for Syria that holds perpetrators accountable and addresses the grievances of victims, leading to lasting peace and respect for human rights.

About the Position: SJAC is leading a U.S. government-funded project to promote awareness of survivors’ rights and increase participation of Syrians in European national justice mechanisms through universal jurisdiction. It seeks a Program Officer to fulfill several roles including (1) to serve as a project manager, including programmatic, administrative and legal tasks (75%) and (2) to research and draft legal memoranda, public facing reports and, where possible, legal submissions concerning transitional justice issues in Syria (25%).

General Duties:

Serve as the Project Manager of a U.S. government funded project, coordinating project activities such as awareness-raising events, and ensuring that they are undertaken on time and within the project budget

• Draft timely, accurate and comprehensive quarterly reports for the donor
• Compile evidence obtained by SJAC’s documentation teams for sharing with war crimes units conducting investigations in Europe
• In collaboration with SJAC’s Program Coordinator, collect and report on M&E indicators, adjusting as necessary to new developments
• Manage relations between SJAC and legal service organizations representing Syrian victims and witnesses in national proceedings
• Manage support provided by PSS organizations to Syrian survivors
• Support SJAC’s trial monitoring by drafting reports, reviewing publications, and ensuring timely production of high-quality materials
• Research and write legal memoranda concerning issues surrounding national and international prosecutions of atrocity crimes in Syria
• Engage in SJAC’s activities in documentation, data analysis, and transitional justice discourse, drafting short-form and long-form analysis
• Perform other tasks as needed

Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in law with coursework in international law, human rights law, international criminal law, and/or evidence preferred

• 1-3 years of relevant experience to include international law, human rights, and/or humanitarian law in an international organization, government, or non-profit
• Project management experience in an NGO or INGO setting
• A passion for human rights advocacy and transitional justice
• Experience working on the Middle East, specifically the Syrian conflict. Familiarity or experience with the European justice space is a plus
• Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail, ability to prioritize and multi-task, and ability to work under and adhere to tight deadlines
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team; must be a team player and demonstrate a sense of responsibility and sensitivity in dealing with diverse audiences
• Understanding and experience in gender mainstreaming or gender-sensitive programming
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of Arabic preferred

Work Eligibility Requirements

Candidates should have legal work authorization and be eligible to work in the United States and willing to relocate to the Washington Metropolitan area. SJAC is unable to provide any Visa sponsorship.

Pay and Benefits:

Starting salary is dependent on education and experience within established bands of compensation. Current salary bands for Program Officers, $65-80k.

Other Benefits and/or Policies include:

• SJAC has a hybrid work policy. While employees are occasionally expected to report to the office for in person events or meetings, they are otherwise free to split their working time between our DC office and their home within the Washington metropolitan area according to their preferences
• Vacation Leave: 10 days in the 1st year; 15 days in years 1-2 and 20 days in years 3+; Flex Fridays, every other Friday
• Family and Sick Leave: 10 days/year
• Annual Holidays: At least 13 holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Savings and Retirement Plans: 2% employer contribution and up to 7% matching contributions
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Short-term disability and life insurance
• Worker’s compensation insurance and unemployment insurance

SJAC is a diverse organization made up of 40+ team members around the globe. We pride ourselves in our ability to implement programming that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all Syrians, and believe that our own team’s diversity of viewpoints and experiences helps us to achieve that goal. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.