Oct 21, 2020

Forensic Coordinator, P4 (Temporary Job Opening) , Iraq

Employer: United Nations Investigative Team for Accountability of Da’esh/ISIL
Location: Baghdad , Iraq

Deadline - 30 October 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-Legal Affairs-UNS-SPM UNITAD-142236-J-Baghdad (M)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Investigative Team to promote accountability for crimes committed by Da'esh / ISIL (UNITAD) and will be based in Baghdad, Iraq. The Forensic Coordinator will work in the Forensic Science Unit, Office of Analysis and Evidence.

UNITAD was established by the Secretary-General pursuant to Security Council resolution 2379 (2017), according to which it is mandated to support domestic efforts to hold ISIL (Da'esh) accountable by collecting, preserving and storing evidence in Iraq of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by the terrorist group ISIL (Da'esh) in Iraq.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
•Serve as a lead officer in the Forensic Science Unit in its strategic, tactical and operational development and performance, keeping strict standards of confidentiality and security, demonstrating high standard of personal and professional integrity, and excellent organizational skills.
•Lead and carry out crime scene surveys and crime scene investigations.
•Identify, collect, package, store, forensically examine and present scientific evidence, including from crime scenes and mass graves, triangulated with documentary and testimonial evidence, relevant to the investigation of crimes committed by ISIL.
•Develop and implement the scientific and forensic strategies as defined by the Special Adviser, the Chief of the Office of Analysis and Evidence and the Director of Investigations, in close cooperation with other units.
•Develop standard operating procedures, best practice manuals and guidelines with regards to forensic and scientific activities undertaken by UNITAD;
•Provide specialized policy, legal advice, forensic and scientific support to the Chief of the Office of Analysis and Evidence and the Director of Investigations with respect to the identification, collection, packaging, storage and forensic examinations of evidence collected by UNITAD.
•Perform extensive forensic/legal research and analysis on highly complex or novel issues/questions and prepare forensic/legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports, and correspondence.
•Ensure that the evidence obtained in Iraq, including from crime scenes, are of high standards and meet the legal requirements of Iraq and of third countries as appropriate, and are obtained according to international standards and best practices.
•Advise on and review evidentiary material collected from crime scenes, institutional and operational modalities, agreements, legal submissions and other legal documents.
•Provide legal advice on issues affecting UNITAD’s mandate and activities, including criminal investigation procedures relating to crime scenes, international criminal law standards, relevant legal frameworks governing domestic proceedings relating to the crimes of ISIL, public international law, as well as issues of constitutional and other national law as they affect the mission or the mandate.
•Liaise and participate in meetings and discussions with the Government of Iraq, other national governments and other institutions and entities, and with other UN agencies, funds and programmes in Iraq, as well as other internal and external actors and organizations, as required.
•Participate in Boards and Committees, and on ad hoc working groups and task forces, as assigned by the Chief of the Office of Analysis and Evidence or the Special Adviser.
•Expand the range of scientific and technological resources available to the Chief of the Office of Analysis and Evidence and the Director of Investigations.
•Develop expertise strategies for the application of new and emerging forensic technologies for judicial investigations.
•Recruit, supervise and provide guidance to the staff members within the Forensic Science Unit.
•Manage, supervise, monitor, assist and participate in extensive field activities in high risk environments.
•Perform other duties as required.


Competencies

•Professionalism - Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

•Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in forensic science, international law, or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

High level expertise in forensic matters and broad knowledge about relevant scientific techniques and methodologies supported by strong academic qualifications are required.

Additional diplomas and certificates in various fields of forensic science relevant to the position, including crime scene surveys, crime scene investigations, ballistics, explosives, explosives ordnance disposal, forensic examinations of audio/video materials and digital evidence, are considered a great asset.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in preparation, coordination and implementation of vast specialized forensic operations and units at national and international levels is required.
Three years’ experience in forensic investigations of terrorist cases, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is required.
Experience testifying as expert witness in national and international Courts is required.
Experience working in the Middle East and Africa is desirable.
Experience working in high risk environments and under stressful conditions is desirable.
Experience working with an international organization is desirable.


Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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