Forensic Response Project Manager At Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets)

ABOUT STICHTING WHITE HELMETS FOUNDATION

Stichting White Helmets Foundation (SWHF) is a non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands. The Foundation aims to provide aid to communities and persons recovering from conflicts and disasters; provide support and orientation to refugees and communities in hosting countries; support justice, accountability, rule of law, human rights efforts, and international advocacy and research activities.

SWHF is an equal opportunities employer and applications are actively encouraged from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Forensic Response Project Manager (FRPM) plans, develops, manages, and evaluates the implementation of the Forensic Response Project “Enhancing Forensic Capabilities to Pursue Justice for the Disappeared in Syria” under the Evidence Collection and Archiving Unit within the White Helmets Justice and Accountability Program. The Manager ensures that the project is delivered in line with the objectives, timeframe, and budget of the donor(s). S/he provides technical support, leadership, and strategic direction; ensures that outputs meet quality standards; and liaises with project partners, key stakeholders, and donors.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This project aims to contribute to accountability, reintegration, and reconciliation efforts in Syria as part of the White Helmets’ (WH) comprehensive approach to recovery, peacebuilding, and justice. It seeks to pursue justice for the families of the disappeared by developing local forensic capacities, enabling the identification of missing individuals and the analysis of mass and clandestine graves.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• Duty station: The Netherlands (with occasional travel to the field and other locations)
• Line manager: Evidence Collection and Archiving Unit Manager
• Line management Responsibility: (x1) Team Coordinator and (x2) Team Leaders
• Full-time/Part-time: Full-time

Tasks and activities:

• Manage the implementation of all aspects of the project, ensuring that key deliverables as set out in the project proposal are met on time and within budget, and that narrative and financial reporting is carried out satisfactorily and in a timely manner, taking into account project partner and donor requirements and feedback.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports to donors as required.
• Identify and develop key relationships that support project implementation and facilitate project development in coordination with project partners.
• Ensure that project implementation and development, periodic project reviews, monitoring, and evaluation are executed regularly.
• Coordinate with the Operations teams to ensure timely updates and that the Finance, Logistics and Administrative colleagues involved in this project maintain regular expense and progress reports, track spending based on project activity, and monitor funding levels.
• Coordinate the preparation of project documentation (policies, work plans, sub-plans, new requests to donors, etc.) and maintain relevant project files.
• Provide relevant project briefs, factsheets, and updates to consultants, partners, and other internal and external parties.
• Coordinate and support training content development (amend and review as necessary) and identify training needs.
• Monitor risks, ensuring that changes are controlled, and problems addressed; report on risks, including measures to address challenges and opportunities.
• Participate in seminars, conferences, meetings, and trainings as relevant.
• Contribute to the Collection and Archiving Unit by supporting proposal writing efforts, papers, and program documents.

Required qualifications: Education, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, International Relations, Political Science, Forensic Science, Criminology, Anthropology, Archaeology, Social Sciences, Humanities, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience in medium to large-scale project management with a proved track record of successful implementation.
• Experience in research/analysis work focusing on Law, Human Rights or Justice is highly desired.
• At least two years of practical experience working in humanitarian or/and development sectors.
• Strong analytical skills and ability for drafting/reporting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge of the Syrian context.
• Interest in human rights and transitional justice work and a commitment to the field.
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• High standards of confidentiality, reliability, and discretion.
• Integrity by sharing the White Helmets values and ethical standards.