3 min read

Technical Product Manager (Consultant)

Location: Remote

The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) is a Syrian human rights organization that pursues meaningful justice and accountability for crimes committed in Syria. SJAC’s database, Bayanat is an open-source data management tool that SJAC created for storing and analyzing large amounts of data, including evidence of human rights violations.

SJAC will issue the selected candidate a six month consulting agreement with options to extend. Hours will vary, but SJAC anticipates the consultant will work 120-140 hours per month.

Position Summary

Purpose: Coordinate the development of SJAC’s database, Bayanat.

SJAC is continuing to develop its open-source database software, Bayanat, to increase its usability and security features. With increasing global need for a database like Bayanat, SJAC is committed to growing the pool of users for Bayanat as well as its capabilities. In order to continue implementing its tech project and further develop Bayanat, SJAC needs a Technical Product Manager to supervise Bayanat development. The Technical Product Manager will coordinate the planning and implementing tech development, meet with partners adopting Bayanat, and assist with managing funding and donor reporting. The role focuses on coordination, prioritization, and delivery, working closely with technical leads on implementation and design decisions.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Product Management

  • In consultation with SJAC management, developers, and end users, develop the overall product vision, strategy, and roadmap based on market research, user needs, and SJAC’s goals.
  • Convert complex technical concepts and customer needs into clear, actionable requirements for the IT team.
  • Support planning, designing, and implementing efficient strategies, workflows, and tools.
  • Oversee and collaborate closely with designers and partners to continuously enhance Bayanat’s user experience.
  • Manage Bayanat localization efforts and foster open-source community engagement.
  • Contribute to the documentation, coordination, and communication of SJAC’s cyber and data security policies, in collaboration with technical leads and SJAC management.
  • Communicate with SJAC’s partners and contribute to efforts for wider adoption of Bayanat.
  • Monitor development workflows, identify bottlenecks, and support the team in delivering high-quality releases on schedule.

Data Resource & Systems Administration

  • Manage and optimize the organization’s data resources, ensuring that information architecture supports both the Bayanat database and broader operational needs.
  • Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all data resources, documenting data locations, access levels, and backup protocols to ensure institutional continuity.
  • Oversee the management of digital accounts, serving as the primary administrator for organizational suites including Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
  • Coordinate the provisioning and deprovisioning of user accounts, license allocation, and security settings across all enterprise platforms.
  • Support the communication and implementation of SJAC’s cyber and data security policies in relation to these managed accounts.

Development and Reporting

  • Contribute to brainstorming and planning for new business development and proposals, providing technical expertise.
  • Draft grant proposals and assist with budgets related to Bayanat, providing realistic effort estimates and technical scope.
  • Manage awards and subgrants with implementing partners.
  • Communicate and coordinate with members of the SJAC Analysis, Investigations, and IT teams.
  • Contribute monthly to SJAC’s Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
  • Participate in regular team calls and collaborate using online teamwork tools.

Deliverables

  • Product roadmap and quarterly development priorities.
  • Prioritized backlog with user stories and acceptance criteria.
  • Sprint plans, release notes, and progress reports.
  • Up-to-date registry of organizational data resources and assets.
  • Documented administration workflows for Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, and other digital platforms.
  • Monthly audit reports of user access and account security status.Quarterly reports for donors and leadership.
  • Partner outreach materials and adoption support documentation.

Skills and Experience

  • University degree (advanced degree preferred) in Information Management, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • Deep understanding of the Syrian conflict associated human rights violations, and transitional justice processes.
  • Arabic (Syrian dialect) and English proficiency, written and spoken.
  • Experience working with mission-oriented NGOs similar to SJAC.
  • Experience in product coordination and development lifecycle management, with demonstrated ability to learn and apply UX principles and CI/CD practices.
  • Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies.
  • Good knowledge of database systems and cloud platforms.
  • Good understanding of AI and ML technologies.
  • Experience contributing to open-source projects, with a solid understanding of open-source principles and licenses.
  • Excellent team communication and collaboration skills; strong work ethic, commitment to accuracy, and ability to handle confidential information.
  • Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating responsibility and sensitivity in dealing with diverse audiences. 

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. 

Candidates should send their CV, cover letter, and proposed hourly rate to [email protected], subject line: Technical Product Manager. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.