JOB DESCRIPTION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
JOB TITLE: Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
DIRECTORATE: Global Operations
PROGRAMME: MENA regional structure (comprising offices in Beirut, Tunis and East
Jerusalem, as well as a team in London)
LOCATION: Beirut
GRADE: 7
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT PURPOSE: The International Secretariat, which
operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and communicates accurate and actionoriented human rights information globally. We campaign for meaningful human rights change;
enable effective human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors to
uphold universal human rights standards. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to
the Amnesty International movement globally, fostering Amnesty International’s contribution,
presence and public accountability throughout the world.
ROLE PURPOSE: Responsible for leading and overseeing our work in the MENA region
through the MENA regional structure of the International Secretariat, located in Beirut, Tunis,
East Jerusalem and London. You will work closely with the MENA Research and Advocacy
Director in leading the development and implementation of integrated strategies to deliver
human rights impact in, on and across relevant countries in the region, ensuring they are
coherent with globally agreed strategies and priorities and undertaken in collaboration with
other key stakeholders within and outside Amnesty International. As part of achieving this, you
will responsible for ensuring the integrated working of multi-functional offices delivering on
effective advocacy, research, campaigning, communication, movement building, growth,
fundraising and key relationship-building strategies. You will also represent the organization,
strategically advocating our positions and building partnerships. As a member of the Amnesty
International Management Team you will actively participate in the leadership, management
and development of the International Secretariat and global movement.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Reporting to: Senior Director, Global Operations
Posts that this job manages: the Deputy Directors for Research and Campaigns in Beirut and
Tunis (two of whom act as heads of their respective office), the head of the East Jerusalem office,
and media, content and human rights education managers, as well as other staff, advisors,
volunteers and/or consultants as appropriate. The role will work closely with the MENA Research
and Advocacy Director, based in London.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership
 Provide strategic leadership for the work in the region
 Scan the external world for opportunities and threats, maintain an overview of legal,
political, human rights and other relevant developments within the region
 Oversee the management of the MENA regional structure, ensuring effective, cohesive
working across multiple locations, specifically offices in Beirut, Tunis and East
Jerusalem and a team based in London
 Enhance Amnesty International’s profile and presence in the region, including by
leading the strategy for growth and mobilization within MENA
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Oversee and co-ordinate Amnesty International’s campaigns and communications
strategies related to MENA, including the development of its digital assets, and act as a
senior spokesperson for the organization in the region
Lead the human rights education strategy in MENA
Establish and promote an organizational culture of collaboration and cohesion within
and across the multiple locations of the MENA regional structure and with other offices
and programmes in the International Secretariat and wider Amnesty movement,
including national Amnesty entities in the region
Lead the MENA Regional Advisory Group, composed of internal and external experts
Lead the engagement of the MENA regional structure on global governance issues
within Amnesty International
Deputize, as needed and agreed, for the Senior Director, Global Operations
People Management
 Oversee the recruitment and management of staff in the MENA regional structure
(approx. 55 people) and ensure performance is managed and talent is nurtured
 Be accountable for the duty of care of staff, including where necessary, the development
of internal polices and standards in relation to security, health and safety, and human
resources, with the support of other managers in the MENA regional structure
 Ensure that the values, standards and priorities of Amnesty International are instilled in
staff and adhered to
Finance and Risk Management
 Determine the strategic allocation of the resources of the MENA region
 Working with the heads of office, ensure that the offices of the regional structure
comply with relevant laws, policies and practices and ensure best practice, including
good financial management and regular financial audits as required
 With the support of the heads of office, set, monitor, manage and report on budget and
expenditure for the MENA regional structure across all areas pertaining to its
functioning, ensuring strong financial controls
Management of Operational Plans
 Oversee the development and effective implementation of human rights projects and
initiatives by teams in the MENA regional structure (involving research, advocacy,
campaigns, communications and fundraising) in line with globally agreed priorities
 Ensure the timely delivery of agreed plans by teams in the MENA regional structure
 Ensure that teams in the MENA regional structure consistently comply with globally
developed quality assurance standards
 Ensure that teams in the MENA regional structure report with sufficient clarity and
detail on the human rights impact of their work, including to funders
This is not an exhaustive list of duties. Flexibility is required and the post holder is expected to
carry out any other related duties that are within the employee’s skills and capabilities whenever
reasonably instructed.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Knowledge and experience
 Good grasp of human rights issues in the region and a clear record of standing up for human
rights and social justice.
 Demonstrated substantial knowledge and understanding of the political, economic, human
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rights and social context in the region
Experience of working in a key leadership role in a complex organization and managing a
cross-functional and multi-cultural team across multiple locations, coaching them toward new
ways of working
Demonstrated experience and capability as a leader who can influence the direction of our
impact within the region, including by identifying and accessing the most effective channels
for advocacy, and who maintains an active network of contacts in governments, NGOs,
international organizations, donors and media
Demonstrated communications experience, including developing digital assets, dealing with
media in the region, and acting as a spokesperson on issues inside and outside the region
Understanding and/or experience of campaigning and/or mobilization
Experience of living and working in the region
Ability and willingness to travel regularly to and work from the locations of the three offices
in the region (Beirut, Tunis and East Jerusalem) and to travel elsewhere inside and outside
the region as needed
Competencies
 Strategic thinker with a developed capacity to build and convey the “big picture” while
enabling others to identify the implications of this for their daily work
 Ability to inspire and motivate others, ensuring delivery under pressure while building
collaboration
 Well-developed communication, presentation, advocacy and representational skills for
diverse audiences, including donors and the media, and the ability to influence
 Reputation for independence from the influence of governments and other political actors
and ability to represent Amnesty International with credibility and authority
 Willingness to be accountable and to receive and give performance related feedback
 Ability to lead and manage staff and financial resources including setting, managing and
monitoring plans and budgets
 Proven ability to work under pressure including coping with deadlines, multiple tasks and
competing demands
 Excellent political judgement
 Written and oral fluency in English and Arabic (including Modern Standard Arabic) is
essential, while knowledge of French and other relevant languages is highly desirable
 Ability to work in a manner that is consistent with the organization’s core behaviours and
competencies
Personal style and attributes
 Personal credibility, with a professional demeanour that generates the trust and confidence
of managers, staff and external stakeholders
 Record of leading by example and demonstrating a high degree of integrity
 High level of resilience and drive, with the ability to be flexible and work in a changing
environment
 Inclination to set themselves and others challenging but achievable targets
 Ability to see links and opportunities that others might miss, and uses new approaches,
theories and technologies to develop innovative solutions
 Ability to engage and influence, using a challenging but respectful approach, including
when dealing with conflict, and brokering solutions in order to achieve goals
 Personal engagement with human rights and social justice
 Ability to use participatory approaches and methodologies
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Equality and diversity are at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively
and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of
backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal
association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with
Amnesty International’s principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a
security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the
specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.