JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Iran & Syria Desk Officer
Location: London
Reporting to: Deputy Director
Part –time or full-time, 3 days per week minimum
UNPAID POSITION, TRAVEL EXPENSES ARE REIMBURSED
The Iran & Syria Desk Officer will monitor the evolution of civil society growth and application of international human rights standards in the Kurdish regions of Iran and liaise with and maintain relationships with policy makers and relevant civil society actors. In so doing, the post holder will suggest topics and timings for missions to the regions and research to be carried out, and will liaise with regional representatives and applicants on cases to be submitted to international judicial bodies.
The Iran & Syria Desk Officer should explore avenues for KHRP to offer constructive advice and information to new civil society organisations in developing a public awareness of the definitions of fundamental rights and the ability to exercise one’s rights, and assist in the development of public awareness tools for these areas. Further, the post-holder will respond to media and public inquiries about the regions and about KHRP’s role. S/he will represent KHRP at public events and meetings where appropriate, and assist in developing public meetings in Europe, as well as in the regions. S/he will be the primary point of contact for regional partners and representatives, and will assist them when they visit KHRP London offices.
Specific Tasks Include But Are Not Limited To:
The work of the Iran & Syria Desk Officer involves carrying out the following duties in conjunction with all KHRP staff, but most often with the Regional Office, Legal Officer and Development Officer, under the supervision of the Deputy Director. The post-holder will work in tandem with the Regional Office in carrying and implementing activities. S/he will be the primary day-to-day contact of KHRP HQ for the Regional Office; however, other staff can and will liaise as necessary.
1. General Responsibilities/Tasks
• Maintaining regular communication with KHRP’s constituency, volunteers, and staff to keep them updated on political, social and legal developments in the regions, as well as on the work of other NGOs, providing timely written and/or oral briefings;
• Developing and implementing public education strategies and materials with other relevant staff as necessary to build support for KHRP activities;
• Identifying and cultivating agreed upon partners to build coalitions in order to further the aims of KHRP;
• Maintaining regular and consistent proactive contact with partners and the Regional Office;
• Translating/interpreting relevant documents, including news articles, organisational materials and speeches;
• Contributing to the overall development of the organisation;
• Exploring with the Regional Office possibilities for future trips, including making contacts;
• Collaborating with the Regional Office, and the Legal Officer, Deputy Director, Iraq & Turkey Desk Officer and other staff where relevant, to brainstorm new trip ideas and to problem-solve;
• Keeping abreast and proactively seeking out new information from partners and Regional Office of current events pertaining to upcoming trips; and
• Taking on (as time and talent allow) special projects that better the organisation as a whole.
2. Developing relationships in order to build public awareness.
Mission coordination responsibilities will be done in conjunction with the Regional Office and partners, but the post-holder will be responsible for:
• Developing the pre-departure packets at London headquarters;
• Coordinating transportation for trip;
• Creating trip schedule;
• Organising trip meetings via e-mail or Skype;
• Creating trip budget and submitting them to the Deputy Director 5 working days before needed;
• Preparing pre-departure packet, including administrative forms, discussion/reflection materials for trip, as needed, in collaboration with the Legal Officer and the Iraq & Turkey Desk Officer;
• Confirming all trip details with Deputy Director and mission member(s);
• Organising interpretation/translation as necessary;
• Liaising with mission members;
• Carrying out pre-departure briefings which discuss aims and objectives of mission, and informing mission members of their obligations and potential problems;
• Problem-solving ‘on the fly’ when plans change;
• Functioning as a resource on local information;
• Assisting the Legal Officer with organisation of legal and women’s training programmes within the Kurdish regions of Iran and Syria;
• Communicating with local partner organisations, bar associations and other participating organisations with regards to those training programmes;
• Recommending appropriate subjects for fact-finding missions in the Kurdish regions of Iran and Syria; and
• Assisting KHRP representatives in producing reports from the fact-finding missions;
3. Advocacy responsibilities
• Conducting ongoing research on the situation of the Kurdish people in Iran and Syria;
• Organising and supervising external researchers who are carrying out research on behalf of KHRP;
• Providing organisation and communication for publishers regarding Kurdish publications in the Kurdish regions of Iran and Syria;
• Supporting co-workers in both delegation and non-delegation responsibilities;
• Sending out weekly updates on the Kurdish regions of Iran and Syria;
• Providing materials requested by the public, staff, board, legal team and others to assist them in advocacy work where relevant; and
• Participating in planning and producing monthly discussions on message development, partnership building, and legislative/advocacy planning.
The post-holder is expected to communicate with parliamentary offices, and attend parliamentary hearings, briefings, conferences, and other meetings on a regular basis. The post-holder will function as one of KHRP’s primary liaisons to the public, including government and non-government bodies on Iran and Syria, and as such, will be expected to coordinate briefings hosted by KHRP. The post-holder will at times be expected to communicate with donors, allied organisations and members of general public.
The Iran & Syria Desk Officer must collaborate on strategic planning for, and assist in implementing, legislative and communications strategy, specifically supporting coverage that furthers tactical and strategic goals. This may include helping plan and organise issue-specific conference calls for editorial writers and other journalists, writing and editing background materials for media campaigns, contacting media outlets and providing them with necessary information, as well as supporting KHRP volunteers in their efforts to generate local media.
Person Specification
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Essential:
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in Human Rights field;
• Highly developed organisational, liaison and communication skills;
• Fluency in English;
• Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a small team;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Ability to be administratively self-sufficient;
• Good communication channels with human rights organisations and Kurdish NGO groups in Iran and Syria;
• Experience in social and political research projects;
• Commitment to the promotion of human rights;
• Proficiency in standard computer software (word-processing, Excel, databases, Power-Point and internet);
• Able to coordinate translation, and willingness to carry out translation as needed;
• Experience working with diverse communities;
• Ability to analyse and explain concepts of law and public policy, and to communicate complex issues clearly to a variety of audiences;
• Experience in developing and implementing successful political, legislative and public education campaigns;
• Must be available for some evening and weekend hours; and
• Familiarity and comfort with legislative processes and settings.
Highly Desirable:
• Experience and knowledge of international human rights mechanisms and human rights practices;
• Experience in impact of social and economics issues within Kurdish society, especially the experience of internally displaced Kurds;
• Public speaking experience;
• An understanding of the issues facing people living in the Kurdish regions of Iran and Syria; and
• Experience of working in the non-government sector.
• Fluency in Formal Kurmanji/Sorani or a dialect of Kurmanji
Equal Opportunities Policy
KHRP aims to develop and maintain employment policies which ensure that no one is unfairly discriminated against, whether directly or indirectly, on any grounds including race, ethnic origin, culture, gender, sexuality, disability, age or religion. These policies will apply in relation to all those involved in the work of the organisation including paid staff, trainees, consultants, interns, volunteers, those offering services on a pro bono basis and trustees.
Applicants please note: KHRP is committed to Equal Opportunities and Cultural Diversity. Unfortunately, we believe that we will be unsuccessful in obtaining a work permit for these posts. For this reason, you should only apply if you already have the right to work within the United Kingdom. This includes citizens of the European Union. Please refer to
http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/ for more information about work permit eligibility.
