Senior Policy & Government Affairs Officer

About the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre

SJAC is a leading Syrian human rights organization striving to achieve justice for crimes committed during the Syrian conflict. SJAC documents violations, supports criminal cases against Syrian perpetrators, and searches for those still missing. SJAC actively engages with policymakers around the globe to promote solutions that center human rights and Syrian survivors.

Position Summary

SJAC is seeking a passionate human rights advocate to collaborate with senior leadership and ensure that SJAC’s work is reaching policymakers. The Senior Policy & Government Affairs Officer will work with SJAC’s Executive Director to set policy priorities and outreach strategies. The ideal candidate will be well connected with relevant decision makers in the U.S. and ready to connect SJAC’s team of Syrian experts with the policymakers who could benefit from our work.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Launch SJAC’s new policy portfolio, setting priorities and strategy, in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Oversee SJAC staff in drafting policy white papers, ensuring they are in line with policy priorities
• Connect with policymakers in the U.S. and EU to disseminate SJAC’s recommendations.
• Convene private round tables with stakeholders focused on priority issues.
• Track and participate in global policy discussions on Syria and transitional justice, to identify opportunities to elevate SJAC’s goals and influence policy and decision making among governments.
• Travel 2-4 times per year to New York City and/or the EU to meet with policymakers and participate in events.
• Provide project management oversight to SJAC’s award with the EU, including approving donor reporting, overseeing budget management, and participating in periodic donor calls.

Skills and Experience

• University degree (Masters preferred) in political science, public policy, international affairs, or another relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in policy and government affairs, including a strong network with relevant policymakers in the U.S. Knowledge of the EU policy landscape a plus.
• Collaborative team player able to work across SJAC’s various teams to integrate expertise from legal, documentation, and other work into policy discussions.
• Knowledge of the Syrian conflict, associated human rights violations, and transitional justice processes are a plus.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Arabic a plus.

Pay and Benefits:

Starting salary is dependent on education and experience within established bands of compensation. SJAC anticipates a starting salary between $105,000-115,000.

All candidates must have authorization to work within the U.S. and be willing to relocate to the DC area.

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: automatic 2% employer contribution, and up to 7% matching contribution
• 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 on 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. The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States and willing to relocate to the Washington Metropolitan area.