Deputy Chief of Party – Human Rights Warning

Search is seeking an experienced senior leader for an anticipated multi-year regional project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) targeting multiple countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. The project aims to identify risks and resiliences and meet the immediate and medium term atrocity prevention and response needs of religious and ethnic minority (REM) populations in Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen. This key personnel position reports to the Chief of Party.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) – Human rights and Early Warning is responsible for the planning and design of activities related to Early Warning, Early Response (EWER) for at-risk religious and ethnic minority (REM) populations. S/he supports the Chief of Party with his/her expertise in human rights and early warning systems, and ensure a relevant and integrated approach to achieving results. The DCoP – Human Rights and Early Warning will act as the primary human rights expert/resource person on human rights with a focus on atrocities prevention for the project. The role will include capacity building assistance to ensure REM populations gain improved access to services.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the Chief of Party (CoP) in the management and general technical direction of the activity, ensuring an integrated approach to achieving project results.
• Provide a broad range of technical assistance to project team and implementing partners and act as the primary provider of technical support and guidance on human rights issues for the project
• Lead strategic engagement on human rights issues
• Directly oversee several research products: atrocity risk assessments; and research on existing early warning and other prevention and response mechanisms for at-risk REM populations across four target countries in the MENA region.
• Provide support and capacity building to project staff and country offices on human rights integration in programming
• Work closely with the project’s research team to inform, design and consolidate results of research assessments to inform and plan programming
• Lead the design and development process of pilot of early warning systems to prevent atrocities
• Lead the design and development of in-country community outreach activities around governance, rule of law, religious pluralism, and human rights.
• Support the Chief of Party in the development of the project strategic framework and work plans for program implementation to ensure the achievement of program goals and objectives
• Provide sound technical leadership and oversight on human rights related activities implemented by the project team
• Deliver technical presentations on program achievements to implementing partners and other key stakeholders
• Prepare briefing, interviews notes, analytical documents and substantively contribute to the production of various documentation and reports
• Build and facilitate key contacts and partnerships to ensure effective dialogue/exchange on EWER issues
• Carry out regular project monitoring visits and provide feedback that will inform and improve project design and implementation
• Facilitate and support partnerships, collaboration, and collective action between a diverse group of local stakeholders
• Liaise with Search’s internal teams including regional team (Amman-based) and global HQ teams in Washington DC.
• Represent the project and Search at public events, including in public speaking roles
• Act as the COP and serve as the principal point of contact in the target countries, to partners and to the donor for procedural and substantive matters in the absence of the COP.

Competencies

• Advanced degree in human rights, international development, conflict resolution, peacebuilding or related field;
• Minimum 7 years professional work experience in human rights. Expertise in issues related to Early Warning Early Response and/or religious and ethnic minorities is a significant advantage.
• Strong demonstrated technical expertise in atrocities prevention, religious and ethnic minority work, and early warning systems for preventing atrocities;
• Professional experience and knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa and familiarity with inter-ethnic and inter-religious dynamics in the MENA region;
• Experience of monitoring and reporting on human rights situation and identifying relevant technical cooperation needs in a crisis context;
• Demonstrated leadership, management, strategic thinking, and training experience
• Able to work effectively and professionally with high-level officials, local civil society organizations, donors, project staff, and other beneficiaries;
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated track record of working effectively in a teamwork environment;
• Experience with providing technical assistance, including organizing and conducting workshops and trainings, and implementing programs;
• Experience in developing early warning systems for atrocity prevention is an advantage.
• Strong methodology and report writing skills; excellent organizational and analytical skills
• Cultural sensitivity and strong interest in dialogue, peacebuilding and conflict transformation
• Flexibility and capacity to adapt to evolving contexts
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, and working knowledge of Arabic is a plus.

Location: Washington DC or Amman, Jordan