Programme Officer MENA

Impunity Watch is an international non-profit organisation working with victims of violence to deliver redress for grave human rights violations, uproot deeply ingrained structures of impunity, and promote justice and peace.

IW advocates for the voices of affected individuals and communities to be meaningfully included in the design and implementation of policies that advance victims’ rights for truth, justice, reparations, as well as guarantees of non-recurrence. We promote local actors’ active involvement in transformation after violence and abuses, and we also support informal initiatives that complement formal transitional justice mechanisms.

The Programme Officer will contribute to the execution of the overall programmatic and thematic work of the MENA team in the region. While the geographical focus of this position is Iraq, the Programme Officer will also be involved in activities in the rest of the region and beyond.

For particularly strong candidates with additional relevant qualifications or experience, a position of Senior Programme Officer may be made considered. The position offers an initial contract period of 12 months (including a 1-month probation period), extendable subject to performance and funding availability.

The deadline to apply is Sunday 5 March 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we may start interviews before the deadline.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Program management

• Take primary responsibility for managing and developing Impunity Watch’s Iraq program, including partnerships and sub-grants to Iraqi NGOs and a program of activities implemented directly by IW, in close collaboration with IW’s National Consultant based in Iraq
• When needed, participate in developing and implementing activities in the rest of the MENA region including in Syria and Tunisia, in close consultation with the rest of the MENA team
• Take the lead in the organisation of field activities, and ensure that all aspects of an activity are properly conducted, completed, and documented
• Draft reports on activities, including recommendations for follow-up
• Generate work plans and new strategies to meet the needs identified in the course of planning and executing projects
• Assist with fundraising efforts and liaise with donors, including contributing to drafting funding proposals, monitoring results and reporting on implementation
• Assist finance staff with budget management, grant tracking and financial reporting
• When needed, provide advice to, and collaborate with the rest of the team in the implementation of the organisation’s programming outside of the MENA region
• Perform other tasks assigned by his/her supervisor that are consistent with the overall position.

Partner relations

• Maintain and develop a network of NGO, grassroots activist, and victim association partners in Iraq, and identify new initiatives and partners to expand this network
• Coordinate with and provide technical assistance and advice to partner organisations and institutions
• Identify and coordinate with institutions, consultants, and experts from MENA and from outside the region

Research

• Contribute to IW’s research work through occasional field research, interviews, and the drafting of papers or commissioning research by external consultants
• Review substantive materials and public documents related to the programme before they are distributed, including documents produced by partner organisations

Advocacy and communication

• Contribute to the organisation’s advocacy and policy work through outreach and meetings with Iraqi and international policy makers, participation in policy events and fora, drafting policy papers, and conducting media engagement
• In close collaboration with IW’s communication team, conduct communication and outreach related work and assist with the development of media material on the programme including for the organisation’s website and its social media accounts

Person specification

The desired candidate should demonstrate the following key skills, qualifications, and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in political or social sciences, law, journalism, or related studies
• Minimum of five years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing projects and grants, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in Arabic and English; Proficiency in other languages including Kurdish is desirable
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of human rights, politics, and civil society issues as well as transitional justice developments in the MENA region especially in Iraq
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated passion for international affairs, human rights, justice, peacebuilding, or another related field.
• Experience developing and managing relationships with partners in the region; experience working with survivors of violence and human rights abuses is highly desirable
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a diverse global team, interact with local grassroots partners and show cultural sensitivity
• Proactive, able to work on own initiative, meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks in a fast-changing environment
• Strong organisational skills including accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed, including frequent travel to Iraq