Missing Persons Investigator (Consultant)

Location: Remote – Global

About SJAC

Founded in 2012, The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting meaningful justice for Syria that holds perpetrators accountable and addresses the grievances of victims, leading to lasting peace and respect for human rights.

Position Summary

The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC)’s missing persons program is focused on discovering the fates of those who went missing during the period of ISIS control. SJAC is preparing to expand the program, to additionally support investigations of missing persons throughout the country. SJAC is seeking an Investigative Lead to coordinate missing persons investigations between SJAC’s various field teams and partners and develop appropriate analysis methodologies. SJAC anticipates that this individual will work approximately 30-40 hours/week. SJAC will provide a 12-month contract, with opportunity for extension.

General Duties:

  • Provide direction to SJAC’s missing persons data analysts, responsible for analyzing missing persons documentation. Collaborate with SJAC’s analysis team and external partners to develop analysis methodologies for missing persons documentation.
  • Provide direction to SJAC’s field and open-source contextual investigation teams, identifying leads and developing appropriate workplans.
  • Collaborate with subgrantees to provide trainings, and feedback on missing persons investigations.
  • Identify relevant patterns and build hypotheses based on SJAC’s data, providing regular updates to the larger missing persons team on findings.
  • Collaborate with SJAC’s research team to draft publications on ongoing investigations.
  • Work with external partners to ensure appropriate coordination and data sharing.

Skills and Experience

  • Bachelors degree in relevant field (international affairs, human rights etc.), advanced degree preferred.
  • Experience conducting research projects required, including setting research plans, creating appropriate methodologies, and identifying and analyzing documentation from diverse sources. Experience conducting research for the purposes of human rights advocacy or investigations preferred.
  • Experience working on the Middle East, specifically the Syrian conflict preferred. Familiarity with ISIS in Syria and/or Iraq and associated crimes preferred.
  • Knowledge or experience in missing persons investigations and associated methodologies.
  • Knowledge of gender-based violence committed by ISIS and the intersection of gender and missing persons in Syria is a plus.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Professional proficiency in Arabic is required. Successful candidates must be able to communicate fluently about sensitive, technical topics in both written and spoken (Levantine) Arabic.

SJAC is a diverse organization made up of 40+ team members around the globe. We pride ourselves in 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.

To apply, please send an email with the subject line “Missing Persons Investigator” to [email protected], including a cover letter, resume, and proposed hourly rate. Applications will be reviewed starting August 25th.

Public Postings

  • SJAC website
  • Relief web