Subunit Coordinator and Researcher – Forensic Architecture Investigation Sub-Unit

Title:

Subunit Coordinator and Researcher

Department:

Forensic Architecture Investigation Sub-Unit, Al-Haq

Contract duration:

One year (renewal) with six-month probation

Hours:

40h/ week

Type of Contract:

National – Palestinian citizens or resident of the OPT

Main Duty Station and Location:

Ramallah, Palestine

About Al-Haq

Al-Haq is an independent Palestinian non-governmental human rights organisation based in Ramallah, West Bank. Established in 1979 to protect and promote human rights and the rule of law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), the organisation has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Al-Haq documents violations of the individual and collective rights of Palestinians in the OPT, irrespective of the identity of the perpetrator, and seeks to end such breaches by way of advocacy before national and international mechanisms and by holding the violators accountable. The organisation conducts research; prepares reports, studies, and interventions on breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law in the OPT; and undertakes advocacy before local, regional and international bodies. Al-Haq also cooperates with Palestinian civil society organisations and governmental institutions in order to ensure that international human rights standards are reflected in Palestinian law and policies. The organisation has a specialised international law library for the use of its staff and the local community.

Forensic Architecture Investigation SubUnit Al-Haq

The researcher will be joining a small team of interdisciplinary researchers housed in the Monitoring and Documentation Department (MDD) at Al-Haq that employs Forensic Architecture’s (FA) methodologies and techniques for taking on cases to monitor and document violations against Palestinians for the purposes of legal accountability and public advocacy. The FAI sub-unit employs frontier research project that mobilizes architectural techniques and technologies to reconstruct incidents of violations of human rights, war crimes and environmental destruction in Palestine. This involves analysing complex historical and current political events through developing bespoke research tools.

Job Description

Reporting to: Head of MDD

Summary:

Al-Haq’s new Forensic Architecture Investigation (FAI) sub-unit is looking to work with an early career researcher who is versatile, proactive and has a strong ambition and willingness to engage with the use of new technologies for the investigation of human rights and environmental violations by state and corporate actors in Palestine. As Lead Researcher of the FAI sub-unit, this individual will oversee overall organizational and project tasks that support the investigative efforts of staff members within Al-Haq’s FAI Sub-Unit, including inter-departmental communication, overseeing project; design, output, deadlines, distribution of tasks, and reporting to management. The Researcher will also assist with investigative casework across regional and thematic areas. His/her contribution will include overseeing 3D and cartographic analysis, modelling, and open-source research.

The Researcher will have technical experience with technologies including modelling and animating 3D environments, programming, and/or video editing. Upon appointment s/he will also be trained in FA’s unique, technologically-driven tools and techniques.

S/he will be required to follow and understand the day-to-day research logic, vision, goals, terminology, and methods related to Al-Haq’s work, but also able to work independently on assigned tasks and be willing to learn about the wider contextualisation of the cases s/he works on.

As part of the training component of this role, the Researcher will be involved in each phase of a project, from observing the early conceptualisation of an investigation to active participation in the project’s development and design, and finally in the production and presentation of findings. S/he will be invited to contribute conceptually and work analytically to cross-check and consolidate research as it evolves. The Researcher will also be invited to contribute to group discussions in which larger ethical and political questions pertaining to the work and its presentation are undertaken.

The researcher shall demonstrate strong skills across all or some of the following: 3D modelling, video editing and/or open-source investigative research are absolutely necessary, as is a strong conceptual inclination to understand and help formulate research questions. A demonstrable capacity for learning new software and techniques, as well as for teamwork across various contexts and with people of various expertise is also required. Candidates will have to demonstrate that they are conscientious and responsible and are interested in contextualising and understanding the ethical and political implications of the work.

Strong oral and written communication skills in Arabic and English is required.

Main duties:

· Coordinate and oversee investigations

· Design investigation outline and implementation plan

· Research source and archival material

· Oversee analysing and interpreting data

· Undertake technical work, including producing 3D models, animations and video editing

· Organise research files and data

· Assist in presenting research findings in a clear and creative manner

· Report on the progress of his/her work to his/her line manager

· Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required

· At all times to help maintain a safe working environment by participating in training as necessary

· Coordinate the work of two research assistants

Personal Specification

Detailed below are the types of qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge which are required of the post holder. Selection will be made upon evidence of best-fit with these criteria.

Minimum Organisational Requirements

Education:

Preferably Master’s degree in architecture, design, or a relevant field. Bachelor degree in architecture with excessive working experience in design is acceptable.

Technical and Functional Experience:

1. Minimum of three years working experience in architecture, design, project management or any other relevant field.
2. Experience or training in 3D modelling and animating architectural environments and video editing. Past experience may include working within an architectural practice, academic research environment, working with NGOs, investigative journalism, conducting fieldwork, exhibiting or participating in art galleries and museums, political organising and activism.
3. Research experience.
4. Excellent knowledge of architectural, spatial, urban, and/or environmental theory and methods**;** visualisation, and aesthetic strategies.
5. Excellent knowledge of Forensic Architecture’s methodologies.
6. Knowledge and interest in Al-Haq’s work.
7. Knowledge in the context of Palestine, in politics, activism, human rights, law, and/or conflict studies.
8. Software proficiencies: 3D modelling, Adobe Suite (especially After Effects and Premiere Pro), mapping (QGIS), and animation (Cinema 4D, Blender, or 3DS Max).
9. Be rigorous, communicative, capable of multi-tasking, willing to learn, and having a keen eye for detail.
10. Strong written and oral communication skills.
11. Able to work independently with experience coordinating research projects.

Required Competencies

Core values:

1. Integrity
2. Professionalism
3. Respect for diversity and gender equality
4. Commitment

Core competencies:

1. Results orientation
2. Planning and organising
3. Communication and trust
4. Team orientation
5. Organisational skills
6. Innovation
7. Time management
8. Organization skills

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is required.