Roster - Program Officer, Civil Society Initiatives (Ukraine)

Background Information 

ICMP is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, based in The Hague, the Netherlands that helps governments and other authorities to locate missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. ICMP supports the work of other organizations in their efforts, encourages public involvement in its activities and contributes to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing. To learn more about the ICMP click here.

Ukraine Project 

The authorities of Ukraine have requested immediate assistance by the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) to account for missing and disappeared persons.  ICMP will assist in finding missing persons, regardless of nationality, religion, role of the missing person in armed conflict, and will seek the cooperation of governments in such efforts as part of securing the rights of families of the missing and contributing to reinstating peace and stability.  

ICMP will support Ukraine in accounting for missing and disappeared persons, including through initiating a large-scale data collection program to investigate disappearances and the whereabouts of missing persons through measures including the following:

• Implementing an outreach campaign in Ukraine with direct participation by those most affected by crimes currently being committed to obtain on a large-scale report of missing persons from families, including information about the missing person, the circumstances and location of their disappearance, photographs and other supporting data;  
• Advancing the reporting of locations where missing persons may be found, including mass graves, other illicit burial sites and surface locations, and places of detention, using ICMP’s Site Locator application for mobile phones;
• Deploying ICMP’s MyFace application, which makes it possible to submit reports of missing persons seen alive and add information relevant to photographs displayed on ICMP’s website; and
• Working with Ukrainian authorities on the ground to collect data for direct import into the ICMP data processing system, including documentary and other evidence of human rights violations, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
  

ICMP is initiating a roster recruitment process to meet the consistently high demand for Civil Society Initiatives Officer's throughout the country to enable ICMP’s capacity to respond proactively and reactively in the civil society sphere.

The Program Officer (CSI) is responsible for the implementation of ICMP initiatives in Ukraine that support public involvement of families of the missing, non-governmental institutions, and other actors in the efforts to account for missing persons. The role maintains relationships with partners and implements activities. Interventions include outreach activities, learning and development projects, small grants, opportunities for advocacy, dialogue and joint collaboration with institutions, legal analysis and reform benefiting families of the missing and NGOs. Initiatives support the development of networks, visibility of the issue of the missing and of the role of CSOs, and promotes a rights-based and impartial approach for the issue of the missing where women and vulnerable groups affected by the issue of missing persons are championed and supported.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Civil Society Initiatives Program Coordinator, the main duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Establishing and maintaining partnerships with representatives of family associations, NGOs, and other civil society organizations involved in missing persons’ issues in his or her designated region;
• Participating in the design and implementation of outreach-related activities, ensuring adequate mainstreaming;
• Designing, organizing, and participating as trainer in learning and development activities for CSOs;
• Supporting the design, dissemination of call, and serving as focal point for project implementation and monitoring of small grants given by ICMP to CSOs;
• Supporting the organization of activities that make visible the issue of the missing; 
• In collaboration with the Data Coordination Officers, facilitate and support the conclusion and implementation of data partnership agreements with CSOs;
• Contributing to the identification, documentation, systematization, sharing and maintenance of information about current or potential partners, initiatives, threats and opportunities impacting ICMP CSI-related activities;
• Contributing to the preparation of internal and external proposals, reports and other materials for fundraising, grant management or implementation activity;
• Contribute to the preparation of internal and external reports;
• Other related duties as assigned.
  
  

 Qualifications

• Educational studies related to Human Rights, Law, International Relations, Sociology and other social sciences or relevant discipline;
• At least six years of relevant experience;
• At least three years of experience in rule-of-law, human rights, development or related areas at an international organization or an international or national non-governmental organization or public institution;
• Demonstrated understanding of legal, institutional and social issues related to the issue of the missing in Ukraine;
• Knowledge of relevant actors including institutions, family associations, civil society organizations and affected communities;
• Demonstrated experience conducting missions, organizing large scale events and handling logistics;
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation and presentation skills;
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills, including the ability to think and operate strategically.

 Mandatory Requirements

• Professional fluency in written and spoken English, Ukrainian and Russian;
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Teams and Power Point;
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality, or gender;
• Ability to travel at short notice and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings;
• Commitment to the underlying objective of helping the authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner.

Benefits

This is a fixed-term position with a competitive base salary at the LES 6 level on the ICMP Ukraine salary scale, includes generous paid leave and extensive health insurance benefits for the incumbent and eligible dependent(s). This role is not eligible for any expatriate allowances. 

Depending on the candidates' availability, the contract can be full-time or ad hoc in which payment will be made on actual work performed and on an ad hoc and irregular basis. The aim is to fill this position on a long-term and full-time basis. 

Expected start date: As soon as possible

VN close date: 31 January 2025

Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis. Candidates selected for the interview will be contacted. 

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length.

ICMP does not request payment during any stage of the selection process.