Organization Profile 

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. This is a complex global challenge that can be tackled effectively through cross-cutting programs that address a variety of difficult, interconnected issues. 

 

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other causes and to assist them in doing so. To learn more about ICMP click here. 


About the Syria Program 

Following the political transition in Syria in December 2024 and the establishment of the National Commission for Missing Persons (NCMP) in May 2025, Syria has entered a critical phase in addressing the legacy of missing persons. An estimated 300,000 persons remain missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, displacement, migration, and other circumstances. Establishing a sustainable process to locate, identify, and account for missing persons is a priority for Syrian authorities, families of the missing, civil society, and international partners. Since 2017, ICMP has worked with Syrian civil society to lay the foundations for such a process, including through data collection, DNA reference sampling, policy development, support to families and civil society, and regional cooperation. Today, ICMP is supporting the NCMP in developing the technical and institutional capacities required for a Syrian-led missing persons process. This includes support to strengthen forensic capabilities, establish sustainable DNA testing capacity, develop quality management systems, and align national technical processes with international forensic standards. 


Consultancy Background

ICMP is seeking an experienced Senior Forensic DNA Laboratory Development Advisor to provide expert technical support to the Syria Program and the National Commission for Missing Persons (NCMP) in the phased development of national forensic DNA laboratory capacity. This is a unique opportunity for a senior forensic genetics professional to contribute to the establishment of a sustainable national capability that will support Syria's efforts to locate and identify missing persons and provide answers to families who have waited for years. The successful candidate will bring substantial practical experience in forensic DNA laboratory management, laboratory design, quality systems, and capacity development. The Advisor will provide strategic technical guidance on laboratory infrastructure, equipment planning, operational workflows, quality management systems, and professional development approaches. The role will require both technical expertise and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including Syrian authorities, forensic professionals, international partners, contractors, and ICMP technical teams. The Advisor will support Syrian ownership of the process by providing expertise, mentoring, and guidance that enables sustainable national capacity development. 


Key Responsibilities 

Under the supervision of the Head of Program (Syria) and in coordination with ICMP's Science and Technology Division, the Advisor will: 


1) Support DNA Laboratory Development 

  • Provide expert advice on the design and development of forensic DNA laboratory facilities; 
  • Review laboratory layouts, workflows, infrastructure requirements, and contamination prevention measures; 
  • Advise on laboratory systems, utilities, biosafety, security, and operational requirements; 
  • Ensure laboratory development is aligned with international forensic standards, including ISO/IEC 17025. 


2) Support Equipment Planning and Procurement 

  • Develop technical specifications for DNA laboratory equipment and related systems; 
  • Advise on procurement documentation and technical evaluation processes; 
  • Ensure equipment selection is compatible with laboratory workflows and future operational needs. 


3) Support Operational Readiness 

  • Provide advice on DNA testing workflows from sample receipt through reporting; 
  • Advise on staffing structures, competency requirements, and laboratory implementation planning; 
  • Support preparation for validation, implementation, and operational readiness. 


4) Support Stakeholder Coordination 

  • Engage with Syrian counterparts, ICMP specialists, contractors, and technical partners; 
  • Communicate complex technical issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences; 
  • Promote coordination and complementarity among organizations supporting Syria's missing persons process. 


Professional Experience

  • Advanced University degree in Forensic Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related scientific discipline;
  • At least seven years of professional experience in forensic DNA laboratories; 
  • Demonstrated experience managing or leading forensic DNA laboratory teams or major laboratory development projects; 
  • Experience designing, establishing, or expanding high-throughput forensic DNA laboratories; 
  • Experience working in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited forensic DNA laboratory environment; 
  • Strong technical knowledge of: 
    • STR profiling; 
    • DNA extraction and analysis workflows including the identification of human remains; 
    • Laboratory automation and instrumentation; 
    • Reporting systems; 
    • LIMS implementation; 
    • Method validation. 


Additional Experience

Experience in the following areas is highly desirable: 

  • Development of national forensic laboratory capabilities; 
  • Laboratory quality management systems; 
  • Training and mentoring forensic professionals; 
  • Working with governmental forensic institutions; 
  • Providing expert testimony or forensic evidence reporting; 
  • Working in Arabic-speaking countries and/or complex post-conflict environments.


Other Skills and Competencies

  • Professional written and spoken fluency in English.
  • Excellent technical judgment and problem-solving skills; 
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities; 
  • Ability to translate technical requirements into practical solutions; 
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams; 
  • Professionalism, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity; 
  • Ability to work effectively in a complex and evolving operational environment. 


Key Deliverables 

  • Technical recommendations following engagement with NCMP and relevant stakeholders; 
  • Participation in and technical support to an initial DNA scientist workshop at ICMP Headquarters; 
  • Laboratory design review and DNA equipment specification dossiers.


Compensation

This is a fixed-term consultancy. ICMP offers competitive compensation aligned with experience and qualifications. Specific payment terms and conditions will be set out in the consultancy agreement. ICMP provides medical evacuation and travel insurance for official travel. The Advisor is responsible for their own health, life and accident insurance. 


VN close date: 31 August 2026

Duration: 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 (5 months)


ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.


ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length.

 

ICMP does not request payment during any stage of the selection process.


All applications must be submitted in English. ICMP does not accept applications in any other language.

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