Organization profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. This is a complex global challenge that can be tackled effectively through cross-cutting programs that address a variety of difficult, interconnected issues.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is an international organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons. It works with governments and other stakeholders, including families of the missing, to help them develop and maintain successful missing persons processes. To learn more about ICMP click here.

ICMP is implementing a multi-year project in Iraq to support authorities in their efforts to account for persons missing as a result of armed conflict and violations of human rights.

Position Background

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of CSI (Iraq Program) and working in coordination with the CSI Manager at headquarters, the Program Officer (CSI) main duties and responsibilities are the following:

Stakeholder Engagement, Program Implementation and Reporting

    • Identify key stakeholders and develop trust and working relationships with the Iraqi government, community leaders, civil society, and representatives of families of the missing in Iraq
    • Implementing CSI-related grant objectives in Iraq, ensuring gender mainstreaming and an impartial approach to the issue of the missing
    • Coordinating the establishment and maintenance of partnerships with representatives of family associations, NGOs and other local civil society organizations involved in missing persons’ issues
    • Assist in the planning and organization of formal meetings and field missions with Iraqi technical teams and other stakeholders
    • Participate in the design and implementation of ICMP Civil Society Initiative (CSI) activities such as outreach campaigns, awareness raising events, capacity building opportunities and commemorative events with government and civil society stakeholders
    • Representing ICMP with civil society and other relevant institutional or international partners in Iraq
    • In collaboration with staff from Archaeology & Anthropology and Data Coordination, facilitate the participation of families and CSOs in excavations and data collection campaigns
    • Contributing to in the development of ICMP-wide initiatives related to civil society capacity building such as the development of guidance, policies, methodologies and processes
    • Support Head of Program in providing up-to-date news and political developments related to missing persons issues in Iraq

      Administration

        • Provide general internal administrative and coordination assistance to the program
        • Draft minutes of meetings and activity reports in English
        • Conduct stakeholder mapping and update the stakeholder list on a regular basis
        • Maintain and archive formal documents

          Other related duties as assigned.

          The position may be based in either Baghdad or Erbil.

          REQUIREMENTS:

          • Education in Political Science, Law, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field or equivalent experience
          • At least six years of progressively responsible experience in rule-of-law, human rights, development or related areas at an international organization or international non-governmental organization or public institution
          • Experience working directly with civil society organizations and affected communities
          • Demonstrable experience organizing events and meetings and handling logistics
          • Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, while demonstrating sound political judgment and sensitivity
          • Ability to build effective relationships with authorities, families of missing persons and Civil Society Organizations
          • Knowledge of Iraq laws relevant to the state’s obligation vis-à-vis missing persons (for both Federal Iraq and Kurdistan region), including extensive knowledge on how to report a missing person and claim compensation
          • Excellent planning and prioritization skills
          • Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation and presentation skills, including report writing

            Mandatory Requirements

            • Professional fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic
            • Knowledge of Kurdish is an asset
            • Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel and Power Point
            • Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender
              • Ability to travel at short notice and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings including official travel throughout Iraq with regular travel to disputed areas, IDP camps, and similar
              • Commitment to the underlying objective of helping the authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner
              • Physical and mental resilience, with the ability to operate effectively in hostile environments

                BENEFITS

                This is a full-time open ended locally engaged position with a competitive base salary at the LES 6 level on the ICMP Iraq salary scale, generous paid leave and extensive health insurance benefits for the incumbent and any eligible dependent. For more details, please see the ICMP website.

                This position is not eligible for expatriate allowances.

                Expected start date: 1 July 2023


                Close date: Review of applications will start 7 days after the job is posted and interviews will take place shortly after the vacancy closes. If you are interested in the position, please apply early.

                ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

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