Researchers – CIHRS Research Unit

Organization: Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
Location: To be determined with the successful candidate (either from CIHRS’ office in Tunis or as a remote position)

Position: Researchers x 3:

• One on the Maghreb sub-region (with focus on Libya and Algeria)
• One on the Levant sub-region,
• One on the Mashreq sub-region (with focus on Yemen and Iraq)

Starting Date: As soon as possible
Job type: Full-time
Contract Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension
Salary: Commensurate with experience.

About the Organization

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) was established in 1993 as a regional NGO dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. Its mission is to strengthen the human rights movement within the Arab region. For almost 30 years, CIHRS has played a unique and central role in identifying and responding to the challenges and needs of this movement and helping to shape its development. CIHRS enjoys consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. CIHRS has received numerous awards for its work, including the French Republic Award for Human Rights in December 2007, and an award from the Library of Alexandria (2010).

About the Role

Job Purpose: The Researcher is responsible for developing a research program with support of the Research Director, creating and nurturing networks and conducting advocacy to achieve positive human rights change in the designated sub-region, taking into consideration the influence of neighboring states and other regional and global powers on human rights conditions.  A central part of the job is to analyze, document and report on the main trends and patterns of violations in the designated countries and on conditions that have enabled these violations. The Researcher is expected to maintain and develop a network of human rights activists to partner with CIHRS in coordinated research objectives and advocacy with international organizations to achieve human rights objectives. In coordination with CIHRS advocacy offices in Brussels and Geneva, and with CIHRS staff members and partners in the United States, the researcher assists in advocacy efforts to achieve specific human rights policy objectives targeting international organizations and influential governments.  The Researcher serves as an in-house expert internally and externally on the political, legal and social contexts shaping human rights conditions in the designated sub-region.

Job Description: The Researcher reports to the Research Manager, maintains oversight of a Sub-regional Campaigner, carries out research on human rights violations, conducts outreach to local, independent civil society organizations, and coordinates with colleagues in other human rights organizations focused on similar issues. The Researcher works within a growing Research Unit at CIHRS, as well as with the larger team of CIHRS staff located in multiple countries.   The Researcher assists with the efforts of partner organizations and human rights activists from the Arab region and around the world to carry out national, regional, and global human rights advocacy campaigns and initiatives.  All researchers are expected to be flexible and able to respond to human rights developments in the Arab region according to expertise, availability, and need.

Tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Follow and monitor developments that impact human rights conditions in the designated sub-region and place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts. When necessary, draft reactive outputs aimed at exposing the patterns of abuses or specific cases emblematic of the human rights violations, in a timely and effective way.
• Present human rights and when applicable humanitarian law issues and concerns to government officials, key political players in the sub-regions where they are operating, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media to promote human rights reforms.
• Disseminate analyses and information on policy developments on main human rights and political developments to CIHRS’ administration and advocacy staff, ensuring maximum internal awareness of internal developments and debates in the designated region, and its adequate reflection in CIHRS’ publications.
• Prepare detailed reports and briefing papers on key issues linked to the human rights situation, and the implication of political, social and security developments in the designated region on the improvement of human rights in the said countries, setting out relevant research findings and policy recommendations.
• When relevant, propose policy initiatives to be undertaken by the relevant governmental and non-governmental actors to address the underlying issues that feed grievances, and conduct advocacy that promotes CIHRS positions within the UN and EU as needed.
• Draft written material on the human rights situation in the designated sub-region and contribute to papers and commentaries for publication and perform media outreach, produce press releases, and build working relations with media outlets and individuals.
• Represent CIHRS in high-level international meetings, strategy sessions, events, trainings etc.
• In collaboration with relevant advocates, articulate clear and measurable advocacy objectives, and establish coherent strategies, plans and activities to achieve them.
• Regularly consult and strategize with partner organizations to formulate international and national advocacy strategies and goals to reflect the mission of CIHRS and to ensure that the work of CIHRS regarding the countries in the designated region complements and enhances their own work.
• Participate in CIHRS and program meetings to assist in the formulation and creation of organizational and program specific goals, plans and strategies.
• Assist CIHRS’ Programs Development Unit in project development efforts.
• Travel domestically and internationally, as required, to carry out research and advocacy.
• Supervise the campaigner’s work, security, and personal and professional development.
• In consultation with the Research Manager as appropriate, contribute to developing CIHRS regionwide focus on human rights promotion depending on expertise, regional developments, and capacity.

About the Candidate

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant social science, legal or humanities field, post-graduate master’s degree preferred. Time in a relevant role will also be taken into consideration in lieu of a post-graduate degree.
• Languages: excellent written and spoken command of both Arabic and English.

The successful candidate will have:

• Minimum 3 years (full-time) working experience in the human rights field on the Arab region.
• Strong understanding of international politics and international human rights standards and mechanisms.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English.
• Ability to produce quality written material under tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical skills and a strong understanding of political and social contexts as they pertain to the sub-
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to formulate and carry out successful human rights advocacy campaigns.
• Demonstrated commitment to universal human rights.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, work well under pressure and adapt to emerging issues and changing priorities. Punctual missions or events requiring the presence of the Researcher may happen during weekends.
• The ability to work both as part of a team and to be individually motivated and organized.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to take on new and challenging tasks and goals.

Commitment to Equality

CIHRS is committed to ensuring equality and non-discrimination on grounds of sex, race, religion, or belief in its hiring process. CIHRS is a multicultural environment that celebrates diversity. All employees are expected to promote and act in a manner that ensures a non-discriminatory, open, and sensitive approach to others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Benefits

Paid vacation allowance of 20 days per year plus national holidays, sick leave allowance according to CIHRS internal policies. Compensation days if required to work outside of contracted hours.

How to Apply

All applicants must submit the following documents by the midnight (CET) of 9 of June 2023:

• Updated CV including details of language skills.
• Cover letter; responding to the above criteria.
• Publication sample, if available.

Applications should be submitted to recruitments@cihrs.org with subject title “Levant researcher” or “Mashreq researcher” or “Maghreb researcher”.

Only applicants who have been shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.