Job Description

Project Assistant 

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies

Founded in 2014, the Sana’a Center is one of the few independent research centers that has continued to operate in Yemen throughout the ongoing conflict. While the Center maintains cordial relations with all key stakeholders, it has remained fiercely unaligned with any of the warring parties. The Sana’a Center has thus maintained a unique position and the ability to work throughout Yemen and beyond.

The Center maintains a strong network across Yemen with access to key political, military and security figures, tribal leaders, the financial sector, economists, journalists, humanitarian actors, civil society, and other important stakeholders. The Center has also established a broad network and presence within the international community, connecting it to international organizations, diplomatic circles, regional and international policymakers, research centers and global forums.

The Sana’a Center’s reports and researchers are widely quoted in local, regional, and international media outlets, while the analysis of the Center’s experts is regularly sought out by local and international stakeholders.

Job Summary: 

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies is seeking a part-time Project Assistant.

The selected candidate will support coordination and collaboration efforts among Yemeni and international civil society organizations. The project assistant will work with Sana’a Center and human rights organizations to advance Yemeni-defined priorities for justice. 

We are a dynamic, highly mobile, multi-lingual team with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Our main office is in Yemen, while most of our team works remotely from locations across Yemen, the Middle East, and major cities around the world. Among our core strengths are our versatility, initiative, access, networks, and audacity. We seek new team members who would complement this dynamic.

Background and Objectives:

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies seeks a project assistant to support Yemeni civil society efforts towards justice and reconciliation by amplifying Yemeni-led advocacy demands for a just, inclusive, and sustainable peace.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the transitional justice consultant by providing direct support and technical advice to Sana’a Center on matters of transitional justice and reconciliation.
• Cooperate in researching transitional justice to supplement project materials. 
• Assist the consultant as they draft a road-map of a vision for transitional justice in Yemen.
• Organize joint activities between Yemeni and international civil society.
• Assist the consultant in institutionalizing the Justice Network.
• Support the consultant in building local ownership of justice and reconciliation efforts.
• Organize and facilitate regular coordination calls involving Yemeni and international civil society actors working on justice and reconciliation. This includes managing participatory agenda-setting, composing summary notes, arranging follow-up sessions, and other related administrative tasks.
• Coordinate effective information sharing amongst Yemeni and international participants.
• Liaise with and facilitate engagement between Yemeni and international CSOs, key UN, governmental, and multilateral actors, and donors. 

Qualification and Skills:

• Bachelor’s level degree in international relations, international law, human rights, transitional justice, political science, or any related program (or equivalent work experience).
• Fluency in both written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Experience with global advocacy, network coordination, capacity building, and partnership management.
• Familiarity with justice and human rights issues in Yemen/MENA region. 

Position Details:

• Reports to: Senior Researcher
• Contract type: Part-time Service agreement 
• Duration: 10 months
• Location: Remote
• Joining date: 1 March 2024