FORENSIC SPECIAL SUP PROFILE (000580)

What we do

The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and at the same time promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) seeks a Geneticist for its delegation in Tbilissi, starting in January 2018. You will be part of the Tbilissi delegation team working on the file related to Missing persons from the 90’s and 2008 armed conflicts, and will manage all genetic aspects of ICRC forensic activities carried out in the following contexts – Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia.

Role Description

• Manage all genetic aspects of the forensic human identification process, including by ensuring the proper management, analysis and quality control of genetic data, the establishment of required standard operational procedures and the respect of ICRC personal data protection policy;
• Lead the human remains identification process, applying a multidisciplinary integrated approach;
• Develop a good understanding and provide specialized advice on forensic genetics to ICRC staff and to a network of relevant stakeholders and interlocutors, including through the promotion of forensic genetic standards;
• Attend regular meetings with ICRC Forensic experts when needed and establishes regular & ad hoc reports as required.

Required:

• Forensic practitioner holding at least a Masters' degree or equivalent  in medical, biological or forensic sciences. Preferred areas of expertise: molecular biology.
• At least 8 years post-graduate forensic case-work experience.
• Forensic case-work experience;
• Proven experience in forensic practice applied to humanitarian or human rights investigations in several different operational contexts;
• Experience in various aspects related to post-conflict missing persons
• Language requirements: fluency in English - Additional languages an asset.
• Commitment towards highest forensic scientific and ethical standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience and capacity to work constructively in teams under considerable pressure.
• Proven autonomy, dynamic spirit, ability to take initiatives.
• Experience in Project and Staff Management Experience
• Experience in interpretation of electropherograms for mtDNA sequencing, autosomal-STR, and Y-STR profiling; Experience with SNPs interpretation will be considered an additional asset;
• Proficiency on the use of matching software, e.g. Familias, DNA View, etc;
• Proficiency in the statistical evaluation of a genetic match in a large-scale scenario.

Highly prefered

• Proven experience and skills in delivering forensic training and a capacity to adapt the message to diverse audiences. Teaching experience at the graduate level.
• Experience with the management of genetic data derived from mass graves anthropological analysis.
• Broad based (multi-disciplinary) technical and non-technical knowledge and experience related to the scientific and legal identification of human remains and an integrated forensic reconciliation process.
• Knowledge and experience in data management strategies, methodologies and implementation, including electronic databases.
• Broad based (multi-context) knowledge and understanding of the medico-legal framework for death investigations.
• Experience in development of technical and non-technical guidelines and protocols.
• Networking and project management experience.
• Understanding of and professional experience with cultural diversity, gender equality and equal opportunities.

An Asset:

• Proven contribution to relevant scientific publications in the field of forensic practice, especially as it applies to humanitarian and human rights investigations.
• Experience and practice in negotiations and public relations, particularly applied to the promotion and implementation of professional and ethical standards related to the field of expertise.
• Experience with legislation/regulation/policy development.
• Experience and skills in rapid situation analysis and strategy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Our operational and Field Constraints

• Prepared to accept unaccompanied posting for the first 6 months
• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC doesn’t assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving licence  (for manual transmission vehicles)

Languages

• English fluent mandatory
• Russian an asset

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits.
• Career evolution in the forensics field.
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

  Length of assignment: 12 months extendable