JOB DESCRIPTION

Org. Setting and Reporting
The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 77/301, adopted on 29 June 2023. Please note that while the position is currently located in Geneva, Switzerland, the duty station may be subject to change. Applicants should be aware that the position may be relocated to Damascus, Syria, or to another location relevant to the Institution’s operations. By applying, candidates confirm their willingness to accept such a reassignment in accordance with UN regulations and rules, should such a decision be made. The incumbent reports to the Head of Entity, or her/his designee.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Deputy Head may be responsible for the following activities: • Supports the Head of the Institution in providing political and strategic leadership across all areas of the mandate, including intergovernmental engagement, external relations, and cooperation strategies. • Supports the implementation of the Institution’s mandate by advising on political strategy, institutional coherence, and alignment with transparency, victim-centeredness, and cooperation principles. • Leads or contributes to the design of frameworks that enable access to information and enhance collaboration with stakeholders, particularly in politically sensitive environments. • Provides political advice to the Head of the Institution on issues related to regional dynamics, cooperation with Member States and non-State actors, and access to affected areas or data relevant to the mandate. • Oversees the production of strategic reporting and political analysis for the General Assembly and international partners. • Represents the Institution in high-level meetings with Member States, international and regional organizations, and diplomatic forums to advance cooperation and political support. • Supports coordination with relevant UN entities, transitional justice mechanisms, humanitarian actors, and civil society to ensure coherent engagement. • Advises on internal policy and governance structures to ensure that political and diplomatic considerations are effectively integrated into planning and decision-making. • Supervises senior personnel responsible for external relations, strategic communications, and outreach, including to victims’ families and civil society actors. • Contributes to the development of partnerships that strengthen access, information-sharing, and political will to advance the Institution’s objectives. • Supports resource mobilization and donor engagement, helping articulate the political relevance and humanitarian imperative of the Institution’s work. • Identifies risks, opportunities, and emerging developments that may impact mandate delivery, and advises on mitigation and response strategies. • Acts as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Head of the Institution and performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Managerial Competencies: Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.

Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, conflict resolution, or related field is required. Experience engaging directly with Member States, regional organizations, and non-State actors on politically sensitive issues is required. Experience with institutional and management frameworks, reporting, and oversight mechanisms of the United Nations Secretariat, or other relevant international organizations is required. Experience working in the MENA region is required. Experience working in Syria is desirable. At least five years of managerial experience supervising large multidisciplinary teams is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable. Fluency in French is desirable.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements