Posting Title: Witness Protection and Support Officer, P3 (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: Witness Protection and Support Officer
Department/Office: United Nations Investigative Team for Accountability of Da’esh/ISIL
Duty Station: BAGHDAD
Posting Period: 21 March 2023 – 20 April 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Jurists-UNS-SPM UNITAD-205017-J-Baghdad (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located within the United Nations Investigative Team for Accountability of Da’esh / ISIL (UNITAD) and will be based in Baghdad, Iraq. Due to the operational demands, the position may be moved to Erbil, Iraq. The Witness Protection Officer reports to Head of the Witness Protection and Support Unit. 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
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Witness Protection and Support Unit, the Witness Protection Officer will perform the following functions: Ensures that appropriate and adequate measures corresponding to the assessed levels of risk are taken to protect witnesses interacting with the Investigative team through: (a)Implementing internal policies and standard operating procedures to ensure that witnesses who provide testimony and relevant evidentiary material to the Investigative Team are appropriately protected and supported in accordance with the mandate of the Investigative team, international good practice standards, the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, and victim centered trauma-informed approach; (b)Implementing UNITAD protection services – in coordination with the competent national and international authorities where relevant – to ensure appropriate physical and psychological safety and security, privacy and dignity of witnesses interacting with the Investigative Team, including protection program case management and administration; (c)Advising the Investigative Team on international standards of witness protection, researches the political, legal, and cultural factors, prepares comprehensive reports and other documents for use by the Investigative Team as they relate to victim and witness protection; (d)Recommending to the Protection and Support Officer in charge of WPSU operational plans and their implementation, and recommends adoption of protection measures in respect of individual witnesses or specific investigations; (e) Participating in the planning of field investigative missions and their execution in advisory and operational role. Develops and delivers training and ongoing capacity building to the Iraqi Witness Protection Department and Iraqi competent judicial and investigative authorities on witness protection through; (a) Developing a UNITAD’s training curriculum to the Witness Protection Department; (b) Drafting presentations and training materials tailored to the target audiences; (c) Arranging training events, delivering presentations and training during those events, including practical exercises; (d) Promoting the availability of the Investigative Team to contribute to the capacity building activities when in contact with national and international authorities and civil society representatives; (e ) Maintains ongoing engagement with the Witness Protection Department and advices the practitioners on witness protection operations where appropriate. Monitors the threat and risk environment through: (a) Collecting and organizing highly confidential information relating to the protection and security of victims and witnesses; (b) Conducting threat and risk assessments and subsequent recommendations for mitigation measures in respect of individual witnesses and specific investigations; (c) Participating in the collection, collation and analysis of information related to the general security situation in Iraq as it impacts on the security of witnesses interacting with the Investigative Team. Ensures coordination and operational support by national authorities, international organizations and other entities involved with protection of witnesses thorough: (a)Engaging with the network of competent national authorities, international organizations and other entities relevant for the provision of protection and support for witnesses interacting with the Investigative team; (b)Participating in operations in the field related to witness protection, and the implementation and/or monitoring of mitigating measures; Performs other duties as required.
CompetenciesProfessionalism: Thorough knowledge of witness protection matters and ability to conduct threat assessments and identify appropriate protection measures, combined with solid understanding of criminal justice actors and processes. Understanding of the roles of the UN and other international agencies in conflict or post conflict environments. Demonstrated ability in working under high pressure, and responding quickly and effectively to meet the needs of individuals in fast moving situations. Demonstrated ability and skills in working with people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and expertise in the use of interpreters. Willingness to work flexible hours and attend meetings or to witness needs outside normal working hours. Willingness to provide assistance to all witnesses. Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professionalism 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. 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. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, risk management or other relevant area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in witness protection related activities within court or law enforcement structures is required. Minimum of three years of full-time work experience preferably in a national or in international witness protection programme is required. Experience in delivering training and/or capacity building on issues relating to witness protection in domestic or international setting is required. Experience in conducting threat and risk assessments for witnesses is required. Work experience in a conflict or post conflict context is desirable. Experience in Middle East especially in witness protection related capacity is desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish is desirable. NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four areas.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
- 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.
- Fully vaccinated status for COVID-19 or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is required for this position.
- 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 ConsiderationsAccording 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.
No FeeTHE 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.