Research and Analysis Officer Job at HuMENA (Remote MENA) – Human Rights & Civic Space Consultancy Opportunity 2026 @HuMENA (Remote MENA) – Human Rights & Civic Space Consultancy Opportunity 2026

Research and Analysis Officer – HuMENA

HuMENA is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research and Analysis Officer to lead its day-to-day research, monitoring, and analytical work on civic space and the protection of human rights defenders across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Job Title: Research and Analysis Officer
Location: Remote (MENA Region)
Closing Date: 10 June 2026
Contract Type: Full-Time Independent Consultancy (12 Months Renewable)

The successful candidate will play a central role in monitoring civic space developments, documenting human rights violations, producing analytical outputs, supporting advocacy initiatives, and strengthening HuMENA’s network of partners and stakeholders across the region.

This position combines rigorous research and analysis with direct engagement with human rights defenders, civil society actors, lawyers, journalists, and partner organizations.

The role is offered as a full-time remote consultancy for candidates based within the MENA region.

About HuMENA

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement is a non-profit, non-partisan human rights organization headquartered in Brussels, with a regional office in Beirut and team members working across the MENA region and in exile.

The organization works to protect and expand civic space, support human rights defenders, and advance fundamental freedoms in contexts affected by repression, conflict, displacement, and shrinking civic freedoms

Key Responsibilities

The Research and Analysis Officer will be responsible for:

Research and Monitoring

• Conducting daily monitoring of civic space and human rights developments across the MENA region.
• Tracking developments relating to fundamental freedoms, digital civic space, civic space in exile, and the protection of human rights defenders.
• Maintaining comprehensive country files documenting political, legal, and human rights developments.
• Managing case files relating to human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and organizations at risk.

Documentation and Verification

• Verifying incidents through primary sources and direct engagement with partners.
• Applying rigorous source verification and triangulation methodologies.
• Monitoring arrests, prosecutions, reprisals, intimidation, and judicial harassment targeting human rights defenders.

Analysis and Reporting

• Producing HuMENA’s Weekly Civic Space Brief.
• Developing analytical notes on emerging trends and regional risks.
• Authoring monthly and quarterly civic space and human rights analysis reports.
• Preparing evidence packs, background papers, and research materials supporting advocacy initiatives and organizational statements.
• Contributing analytical content to donor reports and grant deliverables.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Building and maintaining professional networks with human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and civil society organizations.
• Conducting periodic field missions within priority countries.
• Representing HuMENA in partner meetings, coalitions, and external engagements.
• Supporting advocacy efforts with UN and EU human rights mechanisms.

Internal Collaboration

• Working closely with the Programs, Communications, and Advocacy teams.
• Contributing to annual planning processes and research priority setting.
• Supporting the translation of technical research into accessible public-facing content.

Working Standards

The successful candidate will:

• Uphold the highest standards of factual accuracy and analytical integrity.
• Apply rights-based and legally grounded approaches to research and analysis.
• Integrate gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive perspectives into all outputs.
• Demonstrate initiative in identifying emerging trends, risks, and research priorities.
• Operate within HuMENA’s editorial, security, and protection frameworks.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must possess:

• A minimum of four years of professional experience in research, monitoring, documentation, or policy analysis within a human rights, civil society, or policy environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in civic space and the protection of human rights defenders.
• Strong experience producing analytical reports, policy briefs, and research outputs.

• Sound understanding of political, legal, and human rights developments across the MENA region.
• Familiarity with international human rights mechanisms, including:
  • UN Special Procedures
  • Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
  • EU human rights frameworks

• Native-level Arabic and strong English communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Experience developing and maintaining professional networks with civil society actors and human rights stakeholders.

• Understanding of source protection, security-sensitive information, and operational security principles.
• Strong presentation and public engagement skills.
• A valid passport and willingness to travel regionally and internationally.
• Ability to thrive within a remote and collaborative international team environment.

Desirable Qualifications

Candidates with the following will have an advantage:

• Master’s degree in Human Rights, Law, Political Science, Sociology, Media Studies, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of French.
• Published analytical work on civic space, human rights defenders, digital rights, or exile activism.

• Experience representing organizations in advocacy missions, conferences, or donor engagements.
• Familiarity with OSINT methodologies and verification tools.
• Experience working on transnational repression, exile activism, or diaspora participation issues.
• Existing networks within MENA human rights and civic space communities.

What HuMENA Offers

HuMENA provides:

• Full remote working arrangement across the MENA region.
• Structured onboarding and induction programme.
• Access to established research systems, partner networks, and documentation resources.
• Dedicated travel budget for regional missions.
• Per diem, travel insurance, and visa support where required.

• Paid annual leave and public holidays.
• Regular performance feedback and professional support.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Access to psychosocial support where appropriate.

Diversity and Inclusion

HuMENA is an equal opportunity organization and strongly encourages applications from:

• Women
• LGBTQI+ persons
• Persons with disabilities
• Refugees
• Exiled and formerly exiled individuals
• Members of marginalized communities across the MENA region

The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, age, or any other protected characteristic.

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Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their application to: Email: jobs@humena.org. Subject Line: Application — Research and Analysis Officer — [Candidate Name]

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A CV (maximum three pages)
• A one-page motivation letter
• Two or three analytical writing samples on MENA human rights or civic space topics
• A written response (maximum 500 words) to the specified research and analysis question
• A short conflict-of-interest disclosure
• Contact details for two professional references

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Selection Process

The recruitment process will include:

1. Application screening
2. Two interviews with HuMENA leadership
3. Practical assessment involving:
   • A verified backgrounder
   • A short analytical brief on a specified MENA civic space or human rights issue
4. Reference checks

Selection Criteria

Criteria	Weight
Research and analysis experience related to civic space and human rights defenders	35%
MENA regional knowledge and language proficiency	25%
Quality of writing samples and analytical outputs	20%
Interview and practical task performance	20%

HuMENA reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates, request additional information, or refrain from awarding the contract if no applicant meets the required standard.