Information and Evidence Officer

This position is located within 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). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Information Systems Management Section. The incumbent may develop and lead a programme of technical advisory and capacity-building support to Syrian transitional justice, accountability and criminal justice institutions, including the independent National Commission for Transitional Justice (NCTJ), upon request and subject to applicable decrees, laws and the Syrian transitional justice legal framework. This position is based in Damascus, Syria.

Within delegated authority, the Information and Evidence Officer may be responsible for the following duties: • Takes the lead in strategy, planning and implementation of complex eDiscovery projects by: (a) determining the technical objectives of investigative and analytical tasks, developing ways to implement them, and planning and directing implementing activities; (b) overseeing the population of evidence systems to ensure the proper storage of information and evidence; (c) leading the analysis of technical data structures to direct staff on appropriate methods for information extraction while ensuring forensic integrity and responding to complex queries from users; (d) facilitating the resolution of issues relating to search queries and providing expert advice in the identification of material of interest; (e) liaising directly with third-parties such as vendors, experts, government entities, non-governmental bodies, individuals, or legal counsels and discussing solutions to complex technical issues related to defensible evidence handling and data transfer; (f) directing provision of and providing expert consulting services to downstream third-party judicial and prosecutorial entities regarding technical aspects of review, analysis and information retrieval; (g) reviewing and finalizing custodian questionnaires and definition of identification frameworks for investigations and collections, and making recommendations to senior management; (e) monitoring project progress against plan, and benchmarks, ensuring compliance with the Section's standards, guidelines. • Manages, develops, empowers and mentors information and evidence officers by: (a) defining, packaging and resourcing services in support of the Mechanism's mandate and in accordance with the Section's project management framework; (b) supervising and prioritizing activities and workloads of information and evidence officers; (c) encouraging innovative and creative approaches to complex investigative and data challenges in accordance with the Section's information governance strategy; (d) representing and promoting the values, professionalism, accomplishments and services of the evidence team within the section, across the Mechanism and to external entities; (e) supporting the career development, training and mentoring of staff on evidence handling, data protection, investigation technology and eDiscovery; (f) overseeing and enforcing evidence handling standards and custodial obligations of the evidence team, removing barriers to team success, and maintaining accountability with the team. • Leads complex aspects of system design, evaluation and application support by: (a) providing expert advice on complex system design of evidentiary protocols and the related infrastructure, identifying needs for modifications; (b) developing complex technical documents, and standard operating procedures, overseeing the technical evaluation of proposals received; (c) leading the development and overseeing the delivery of training programs on eDiscovery and its tools for both internal and external stakeholders; (d) acting as an administrator of eDiscovery tools; (e) performing other duties as requested.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and expertise in eDiscovery data retrieval and analysis, data processing work or document review support work; knowledge of the eDiscovery Reference Model (EDRM) as well as recent developments in legal technology; understanding of search strategies and technologies (both text and non-text), data and metadata, and technology assisted review, as well as scripting skills (e.g., Python, JavaScript, Ruby, T-SQL, or VB) for data processing and automation; ability to assist with or contribute to complex criminal investigations, including expertise in documentation; excellent analytical capacity; understanding of Agile project management methodologies and their practical application to investigation scenarios. 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. • JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in information science, information systems, computer science, library science, law, social science or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certification in eDiscovery, or an eDiscovery related system is required. Certification in data protection is desirable. Certification in Nuix or encase is desirable. Certification in mobile forensics is desirable. Certification in project management is desirable.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in information management or related area, of which a minimum of five years in eDiscovery is required. Prior experience in the legal industry is required. Experience in electronic evidence acquisition is required. Experience with the proper handling of physical evidence, including developing standard operating procedures, is required. Handling experience, including chain of custody, provenance, verification, authenticity and auditing is required. Experience in litigation project management is required. Prior experience in international criminal law is desirable. Experience with documents using right-to-left script and in information retrieval techniques for Arabic is desirable. Experience in both left-side and right-side EDRM activity including the collection and preservation of digital evidence is desirable. Experience supervising a team is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Arabic

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to an agreement with the host country, the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Fulfilment 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. 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. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.