INVESTIGATOR (Two positions)

Org. Setting and Reporting These two positions are in the Collection and Analysis Section (CAS) of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM). CAS is responsible for gathering evidence within the context of the IIIMs structural investigation and its casefile work, and generating analytical products that can be shared with prosecutors, members of law enforcement and judicial actors in competent jurisdictions. The investigator is under the overall supervision of the Senior Legal Officer (Collections and Analysis) and under the direct supervision of the P4 Investigation Team Leader in CAS. The incumbent will plan and conduct investigations as part of a multi-disciplinary team of legal officers and analysts that are responsible for preparing analytical work products. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Investigator will be responsible for the following duties: - Drafts investigative plans. - Conducts investigation/evidence collection related activities, including field missions to gather evidence; in-person witness and remote witness interviews (including with victims/survivors, contextual witnesses, and insider witnesses); and meetings with information providers, intermediaries, and other sources of information and evidence ensuring appropriate witness protective/support measures are adopted. - Identifies potential sources and investigative leads relevant to IIIMs structural investigation and casefile building, manages relationships with a wide variety of investigative sources, and plans investigative and evidence collection activities, including determining the information that needs to be gathered during contacts with witnesses and potential witnesses, how best to obtain such information and documenting investigative steps that need to be undertaken including in investigation plans. - In collaboration with analysts, legal officers and other investigators evaluates the evidence collected by the IIIM to identify gaps that require further targeted criminal investigative activity and presents findings from investigation activities in written reports, updated investigation plans and other documentation. - Represents the IIIM in briefings, conferences, and meetings together with other IIIM staff as well as actors external to the IIIM including national law enforcement officials, national prosecutors, government officials, civil society actors, UN personnel and other partners relevant to the IIIMs mandate. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated ability to conduct large scale and complex investigations involving international crimes and/or demonstrated ability to conduct in-depth field research to prepare analysis/reporting relating to international crimes. Ability to analyse complex political, military, paramilitary, and other related groups structure and activities in relation to allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, including sexual crimes, violence, and abuses. Ability to employ sound professional investigative experience to produce high-quality investigative work product, including investigation plans, mission plans, mission reports, investigative reports, and written statements. Ability to review evidence gathered from a range of sources to identify gaps that require further targeted investigative activity. Ability to present investigative findings in a clear and concise manner. Familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources of information, including digital and human sources. Ability to work in a high-tech environment. Shows pride in work and in achievements. 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 and 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 decision may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishment and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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. Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law, police studies, human rights, journalism or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in law, police studies, human rights, journalism, or a related field in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Formal qualifications and/or certifications in Investigations pursuant to a course of study, training and examinations of a state/national law enforcement institution, a national military academy, or a federal/national intelligence service training institution in combination with four additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the first-level university degree. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience in criminal or other related investigations, including human rights investigations, investigative fact-finding or investigative journalism relating to international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes is required. Experience conducting investigative interviews with insider witnesses and vulnerable victim/survivor-witnesses in a criminal investigation, human rights investigation, investigative factfinding, or investigative journalism context is required. Prior experience performing investigative work in Syria or working directly with those who have been detained in Syria is desirable. Experience investigating aerial strikes in Syria, including the use of chemical and explosive weapons is desirable. Experience investigating detention related crimes in Syria is desirable. Extensive experience working with networks of Syrian civil society organizations as investigative intermediaries whether in an investigative mechanism, domestic law enforcement, a non-governmental organization investigating atrocity crimes, or as an investigative journalist 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 will be followed by a competency-based interview Special Notice Fulfillment of the responsibilities of this position may necessitate engagement with material and/or information that may be distressing. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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. 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 perpetrators 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS BANK ACCOUNTS.