Witness Protection and Support Officer

at  United Nations

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is within the Operational Support Section (OSS) 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), located in Geneva, Switzerland. The P3 Witness Protection and Support Officer (WPSO), under the direct supervision of the P4 Witness Protection Officer (WPO) will plan, organize and provide services for the protection and support of victims and witnesses; conduct risk and threat assessments as well as situational analyses relevant to the safety and security of victims and witnesses; develop and implement appropriate risk mitigation or protection measures; and coordinate protection operations.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the WPO the WPSO will perform the following functions: 1) Conducts risk and threat assessments as well as situational analyses for witnesses and victims who engage with the IIIM. 2) Identifies and develops appropriate risk mitigation measures, in coordination with the WPO and in collaboration with relevant international organizations, national authorities, NGOs and other entities. 3) Advises and coordinates as necessary the implementation of protection measures for witnesses who engage with the IIIM, including case management and administration. 4) Under the guidance of the WPO, the WPSO advises IIIM investigative teams on international standards and best practices for witness protection, and makes recommendations to investigation teams during the planning of investigative missions on matters related to the protection of witnesses and victims. 5) Participates in and supports investigative missions and engages with witnesses as needed before, during and after they engage with IIIM investigative teams. 6) Under the supervision of the WPO, the WPSO participates in the establishment, development and maintenance of a network of international organizations, national authorities, NGOs and other entities relevant for the provision of protection and support for witnesses and victims who engage with the IIIM. 7) Participates in the development or revision of protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs), as needed, to ensure the safety, security, confidentiality, and well-being of witnesses and victims engaging with the IIIM, in line with its mandate and international law standards and best practices. 8) Assists, when necessary, in negotiating relevant arrangements and agreements with international organizations, national authorities, NGOs, and other entities to support the implementation of protective measures for witnesses and victims engaging with the IIIM. 9) Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: 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. 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. 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, criminal justice, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelors’ or equivalent degree) in the specified fields or a police/military academy degree equivalent to a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience on witness protection in a law enforcement agency and/or criminal justice institution is required. Experience conducting risk and threat assessments and implementing witness protection measures is required. Experience working in an international victim and witness protection programme and/or a national witness protection programme, is desirable. Experience working on witness protection in an international or hybrid criminal tribunal or investigative mechanism is desirable. Experience working in conflict or post conflict areas is desirable. Experience in the Middle East region, especially in a witness protection related capacity, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• The temporary position is intended to fill the functions of short-term duration for six months (with possibility of extension), and an estimated start date as soon as possible. • The duration of the appointment is subject to the availability of funds. • Fulfillment of the responsibilities of this position will necessitate engagement with material and/or information that may be distressing. • Candidates should have no expectation of any fixed-term appointment possibility after the end of this temporary assignment. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment. • Subsequent to the initial temporary appointment, new and successive temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same office or in a different office any number of times, for any duration, provided that the length of service does not exceed the period of 364 calendar days. • Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. • A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. • A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified. • 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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. • The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15. • For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. • For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English
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. 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

Please refer the Job description for details