The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)  Hiring Levant Researcher (Remote)

About the Organisation

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 over 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 Levant Researcher is responsible for developing and implementing a programme of research, network-building, and advocacy aimed at advancing human rights in Palestine and Lebanon. Given the specific contexts of the two countries, the Researcher also monitors and analyses broader regional dynamics insofar as they affect the human rights situation in either country. A central responsibility for this role is to identify, analyse, document and report on major trends and patterns of human rights violations in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the political, legal, institutional and social conditions that enable them.

The researcher is expected to build and maintain strong relationships with Palestinian and Lebanese human rights activists, organisations and other relevant stakeholders, and to develop opportunities for collaboration with CIHRS around shared research and advocacy objectives. In coordination with CIHRS advocacy colleagues and relevant partners, the researcher contributes, as needed, to advocacy efforts targeting international organisations and influential governments.

The researcher serves as CIHRS’ in-house expert on the political, legal and social contexts shaping human rights conditions in Palestine and Lebanon and works closely with other CIHRS colleagues to coordinate actions and harmonize strategies.

While this position will have primary responsibility for developing a research programme for Palestine and Lebanon, 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.

Job Description:

The Researcher reports to the Research Manager, carries out research on human rights violations, conducts outreach to local, independent civil society organisations, and coordinates with colleagues in other human rights organisations focused on similar issues. The Researcher works within the 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 organisations 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.

Responsibilities

Tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Follow and monitor developments that impact human rights conditions in the designated countries 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 organisations 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’ Programme Development Unit by sharing updates and reporting on work on a quarterly basis
• 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-region.
• 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 holiday 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: 15 October 2026

• 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”.

NOTE

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