Reports to: Legal Director

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

About the Consultancy:

The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) seeks a temporary trial monitor based in or near Frankfurt, Germany to support its Trial Monitoring project from December 2024 through March 2025, with possibility of further extension. The trial monitor will attend court sessions for an ongoing trial related to war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. During the court sessions, the trial monitor will take detailed handwritten notes. These notes form the basis for weekly trial summaries to be published on SJAC’s website. This position will require an estimated 120 hours per month.

General Duties:

• Attend court proceedings for the trial against Alaa M. in Frankfurt, Germany
• Record detailed hand-written notes of factual and procedural matters, as well as sketches when available
• Conduct background research on factual and legal matters that arise or are likely to arise during the trial proceedings
• Draft and review English-language reports and blog articles on trial proceedings and legal matters (reports will be translated into Arabic by SJAC)
• Coordinate the review and publication of trial reports and related publications
• Liaise with external partners and parties to the trials, as available, to inform court reporting
• Participate in regular team calls and coordinate with the transitional justice team

Qualifications:

• University degree required, a degree in Law, human rights or similar field is preferred. Current students may apply.
• Knowledge of Syria and the Syrian conflict; knowledge of the German criminal procedure, an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Experience or interest in monitoring trials
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Fluency in German and English. Arabic (including knowledge of Syrian Arabic dialects) is preferred
• Knowledge of gender based violence and the ability to produce gender-sensitive analysis of the Syrian context and justice processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Live in or near Frankfurt, Germany
• Ability to function professionally and effectively with co-workers and supervisors.

SJAC is a diverse organization made up of 60+ 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.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please email a Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter to hiring@syriaaccountability.org. In the subject line, please put “Temporary Trial Monitor – Frankfurt, Germany” and your name. In the cover letter, please describe your interest in the position, relevant background, and hourly rate. Applicants are encouraged to submit before December 6th, 2024, but applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will remain on SJAC’s website until filled.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.