This position is located within the United Nations Investigative Team to promote accountability for crimes committed by Da'esh / ISIL in Iraq (UNITAD) Office of Analysis and Evidence, Forensic Science Unit and will be based in Dohuk, Iraq. The Forensic Archaeologist will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Forensic Science Unit (FSU).
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.
Within delegated authority, the Forensic Archaeologist will be responsible for the following activities:
• Oversee forensic archaeological aspects in the application of international standards related to the investigation of war crimes, crimes against the humanity, genocide, with special emphasis on the mass graves investigations and crime scene recording;
• Conducts research related to drafting and updating forensic standard operating procedures, best practice manuals, guidelines, forms and training on forensic practices in mass grave investigations;
• Interprets and applies international standards and best practices to all scientific aspects of criminal investigation undertaken by UNITAD;
• Advise on all steps related to the planning, management and treatment of mass grave and other crime scenes, specially related to the collection, documentation, preservation, transfer and storage of physical and/or digital evidence;
• Lead on the development, adoption, maintenance and use of Geographical Information Systems as a key investigative tool, and the conversion, analysis, manipulation and processing of spatial data using specialized software to exploit spatial data and provide analytical work products for use in case building related to international crimes;
• Conduct targeted field-based activities relating to the investigation of mass graves and related crime scenes to obtain evidence relevant to UNITAD’s investigations;
• Provide expert reports in relation to the mass grave investigations, capable of supporting criminal proceedings.
• Provide technical advice and mentoring on the scientific and practical application of GIS, geomatics and remote sensing technologies and with particular regard to methodologies and instruments used in the conduct of forensic investigations in accordance with scientific best practice.
• Advise on the development of programs to enhance the local capacity of local forensic institutions and provide advice and mentoring on the structure and content of reports relating to mass grave excavations in accordance with scientific best practice and rules of evidence;
• Advise on the identification of required equipment, tools and materials needed for the above described operations;
• Advise on the development of common forensic strategies with other international organizations;
• Provide advice on how to use existing international and national networks in his/her field of expertise for supporting UNITAD mandate.
• Other duties as required.
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.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
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.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in Forensic anthropology, forensic archaeology or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with at least two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five (5) years with advanced university degree of progressively responsible practical experience at national and/or international level, as a forensic archaeologist, that includes mass grave crime scene excavation and recording and the application of GIS and Geomatics as part of a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of international crimes is required.
Experience with Esri mapping tools such as ArcGIS Pro, QGIS and global mapper or their equivalent is required.
Experience using advanced geomatics and remote sensing tools such as 3D laser scanners and/or UAVs is required.
Experience conducting capacity needs assessments and the design and delivery of instructor led or remote training and capacity building initiatives in forensic archaeology is required.
Relevant experience in forensic archaeology with an international or inter-governmental agency, scientific police institute, international tribunal, or international fact-finding commission is required.
Proficiency with database programming languages such as SQL, R or Python is desirable.
Experience in providing expert witness testimony is desirable.
Experience working in Iraq or other similar context is desirable.
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.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
• Fully vaccinated status for COVID-19 or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is required for this position.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
• This position is funded through a trust fund and 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.
Aux termes du paragraphe 3 de l’Article 101 de la Charte des Nations Unies, la considération dominante dans le recrutement du personnel doit être la nécessité d’assurer à l’Organisation les services de personnes possédant les plus hautes qualités de travail, de compétence et d’intégrité. Ne seront pas retenues les candidatures des personnes qui ont commis des violations du droit international des droits de l’homme, des violations du droit international humanitaire, des actes d’exploitation, d’atteintes ou de harcèlement sexuels, ou au sujet desquelles il existe des raisons plausibles de croire qu’elles ont été impliquées dans la commission de tels actes. L’expression « exploitation sexuelle » désigne le fait d’abuser ou de tenter d’abuser d’un état de vulnérabilité, d’un rapport de force inégal ou de rapports de confiance à des fins sexuelles, y compris mais non exclusivement en vue d’en tirer un avantage pécuniaire, social ou politique. On entend par « atteinte sexuelle » toute atteinte physique de nature sexuelle commise par la force, sous la contrainte ou à la faveur d’un rapport inégal, ou la menace d’une telle atteinte. Le harcèlement sexuel s'entend de tout comportement déplacé à connotation sexuelle raisonnablement propre ou de nature à choquer ou humilier, lorsqu'il entrave la bonne marche du service, est présenté comme une condition d'emploi ou crée au lieu de travail un climat d'intimidation, d'hostilité ou de vexation, et lorsque ce comportement est assez grave pour justifier le licenciement de son auteur. La candidature de personnes qui ont commis des infractions autres que des infractions mineures au code de la route ne sera pas retenue.
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