Executive Director

Justice Rapid Response (JRR) is an intergovernmental initiative that partners with international, national and civil society actors by providing them with prompt, impartial and professional expertise, tailored to each context, to investigate international crimes and serious human rights violations and to promote the rights and access to justice of victims and survivors. The JRR Secretariat team carries out JRR’s activities under the direction of the JRR Executive Director and it is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

JRR has been granted privileges and immunities by Switzerland in December 2025.

Justice Rapid Response is seeking its next Executive Director to drive the strategic development of the organization in support of its mission. Reporting to the Executive Board, the Executive Director serves as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for JRR’s overall leadership, strategic direction, operational performance, and financial sustainability.

The next JRR Executive Director is a gifted communicator. They carry authority based on relevant substantive expertise and experience in the field of international criminal justice and human rights. They can rely on a solid network of contacts in the international justice, human rights and diplomatic community. Thanks to their professional and personal history, they can project, represent and defend the vision of JRR of a world where all victims and survivors of international crimes and serious human rights violations have access to justice, contributing to peaceful and inclusive societies.

The Executive Director is selected by JRR’s Executive Board currently composed of representatives from 9 States, one UN agency and two people in their individual capacity. The Executive Director heads JRR’s Secretariat, currently 22 strong, headquartered in Geneva.

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a globally recognized organization at the forefront of international criminal justice and human rights, strengthening its impact, visibility, and partnerships worldwide.

The Executive Director:

• Serves as the guardian of JRR’s mission, vision and values - impartiality, respect, integrity, diversity, and ingenuity and ensures these are embedded throughout the organization’s work. The Executive Director adheres strictly to the Code of Conduct of Justice Rapid Response.
• Is the person responsible for the overall leadership of JRR, and through the Director of Operations and Director of Finance, the management of JRR operational and administrative functions. They are ultimately responsible for providing JRR’s staff with a healthy and safe working environment, conducive to their personal and professional development, in line with the values of the organization.
• Is the public face of JRR, playing a central role in the promotion of the organization and its capacity globally. In this regard, the Executive Director must secure a high level of access and recognition of JRR to ensure the broadest possible use of JRR’s capacity.
• Is the person responsible for ensuring that predictable and adequate resources are available for JRR to meet the growing demand of the international community for its services.

The Executive Director’s primary responsibilities are set out as follows:

The Executive Director defines the strategy of the organization – including through the development of JRR’s next strategic plan - to ensure effective, efficient and impactful delivery of its mission and vision.

Through its broad network of stakeholders, and in close association with the JRR Team and the JRR Executive Board, the Executive Director ensures that JRR remains closely connected and responsive to the needs of the international community when it comes to the provision of justice and human rights expertise.

The Executive Director represents JRR and actively engages with States, multilateral institutions, civil society organizations, public and private donors (including foundations), requesting entities, the media and general public, as well as academic and policy institutions (e.g., universities and think…