Forensic Anthropologist

Location:                                                            Baghdad and Erbil (rotation), Iraq

Start of Contract:                                              1 January 2018

Category of Staff:                                              Professional position (E5) eligible for expatriate allowances

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.  Be part of a growing international organization that is dedicated to tackling this global challenge.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based international organization with headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands.  Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating and identifying missing persons. As the only international organization tasked exclusively to work on the issue of missing persons, ICMP maintains field programs throughout the world.  To learn more about ICMP click here.

Iraq Program

ICMP is implementing a multi-year project in Iraq to support authorities in their efforts to account for persons missing as a result of armed conflict and violations of human rights.

Archaeology and Anthropology Division (AAD)
The Archaeology and Anthropology Division conducts ICMP activities with regard to forensic archaeology, anthropology, and mortuary activities, including the technical aspects of external and internal training. 

Position Background

The Forensic Anthropologist will train and mentor and give technical advice to domestic institutions involved in the analysis of human remains and evidence related to missing persons.

Under the overall technical guidance and supervision of the Head of Anthropology and Archaeology, the duties of the Forensic Anthropologist will include, but is not limited to the following:

• Design and deliver targeted anthropological training for personnel employed in those domestic institutions responsible for the search, location, recording and recovery of human remains and associated evidence in mass graves and other body disposal scenes;
• Conduct regular assessments to establish capacity and infrastructure gaps in the processes and procedures used to carry out anthropological examinations and ensure effective mortuary management;
• Provide advice to domestic partners on all aspects related to the planning, management and implementation of mortuary operations;
• Mentor and monitor the conduct of forensic anthropological examinations and mortuary activities;
• Collection, management, protection and quality assurance of data collected in accordance with admissibility and rules of evidence for future judicial proceedings.
• Undertake outreach activities relevant to the ICMP’s country program objectives including the establishment and maintenance of contacts with forensic specialists in relevant domestic institutions.
• Maintain and contribute toward the development of the scientific standards of the ICMP’s AAD and ICMP's informatics tools;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Masters/graduate degree in forensic anthropology or related discipline or equivalent experience;
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience, preferably with previous experience in international organizations;
• Extenstive practical experience of conducting forensic anthropological analysis and management of mortuary processes;
• Excellent organizational, written, and spoken communication skills, in English.  Knowledge of written and spoken Arabic, Kurdish and other languages beneficial;
• Experience in the design and delivery of training and mentoring activities;
• Experience in carrying out needs and capacity assessments on field work activities and processes;
• Proven diplomatic and negotiating skills and an ability to work effectively in complex political environments;
• Excellent organizational, written, and spoken communication skills, in English.  Knowledge of written and spoken Arabic, Kurdish and other languages beneficial;

Additional requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point;
• Capacity and willingness to work with limited facilities and under 'hardship' living conditions, where applicable and a willingness to deploy to non-family postings;
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender;
• Willingness to travel and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings, when necessary;
• Driving license and the ability to drive manual transmission is desired;
• Commitment to the underlying objective of assisting the authorities and families of the missing in locating and identifying missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner.

HOW TO APPLY: By email, send a Curriculum Vitae with cover letter and three work-related references to application@icmp.int . Please state the vacancy number in the subject line.

APPLICATION CLOSE DATE: Review of applications begins on 3 December 2017. However, the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.

ICMP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.