FORENSIC SPECIALIST

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) seeks Forensic Specialists for several positions worldwide starting in 2018.

Evolve your career with the ICRC Forensic Team to help shape forensic programs and infrastructures in countries affected by armed conflict, other situations of violence, and disasters.

Senior forensic professionals are needed to effectively liaise with government officials and local forensic actors to ensure an adequate legal framework for forensic operations, efficient intra- and inter-institutional mechanisms of cooperation and exchange (including development of standard operating procedures), and that forensic practitioners are appropriately skilled to carry out their tasks in relation to events of humanitarian concern.

ICRC Forensic positions do not involve casework.

Applicants must be prepared for assignment in active conflict zones.

Some nationalities may be excluded from certain posts due to security context.

Role description

Your task

• To contribute towards the implementation of ICRC's humanitarian forensic action by:
• Promoting and supporting the effective implementation of relevant forensic standards and procedures, including for the management of the dead, for preventing and resolving the missing and for other applications of forensic science to humanitarian actionAssisting forensic institutions and practitioners involved in humanitarian forensic action
• Contributing to the effective implementation of the ICRC's strategies in humanitarian forensic action
• Providing specialized advice on human remains and forensic sciences to relevant stakeholders and institutions
• Carrying out appraisals and assessments on forensics and human remains as required by ICRC field operations
• Helping define specific objectives and strategies aimed at supporting medico-legal and other external structures relevant to the missing, forensics and human remains
• Supporting ICRC field operations to implement objectives related to humanitarian forensic action
• Contributing towards the ICRC's policy, strategies and tactics related to issues requiring forensic assistance
• Representing the ICRC where necessary for furthering the organization's principles and goals in humanitarian forensic action
• Contributing to the dissemination of all relevant information on humanitarian forensic action, both within the ICRC and beyond, including the preparation and presentation of appropriate materials for diverse audiences
• Actively promoting the ICRC's and other relevant international standards applicable to humanitarian forensic action, including participation and/or organization of appropriate initiatives for this purpose
• Training relevant external stakeholders and ICRC staff, on issues related to humanitarian forensic action, including forensics in data collection and management and management of human remains and data collection
• Participating and contribute towards maintaining an optimal team environment necessary to meet growing organizational needs related to humanitarian forensic action.

Qualifications

Required:

• Forensic practitioner holding at least a Masters' degree or equivalent in medical, biological or forensic sciences. Preferred areas of expertise: pathology, anthropology/archaeology, odontology, molecular biology.
• At least 5 years post-graduate forensic case-work experience.
• Language requirements: fluency in English and/or French and/or Spanish required. Additional languages an asset.
• Commitment towards highest forensic scientific and ethical standards.

Highly Preferred:

• Experience in forensic practice applied to humanitarian or human rights investigations.
• Experience in various aspects related to post-conflict missing persons.
• 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.
• Experience in Management of the Dead from Emergencies/DVI, with particular experience and skills in high-throughput mortuary management and forensic identification methods in mass casualty events.
• Broad based (multi-context) knowledge and understanding of the medico-legal framework for death investigations.
• Understanding of cultural diversity, gender equality and equal opportunities.
• Experience in project and staff management.

An asset

• Experience with legislation/regulation/policy development.
• Experience and skills in rapid situation analysis and strategy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience and skills in delivering forensic training and a capacity to adapt the message to diverse audiences. Teaching experience at the graduate level an asset.
• Experience in development of technical and non-technical guidelines and protocols.
• Experience in technical and non-technical report writing.
• Proven networking skills.
• 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.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience and capacity to work constructively in teams under considerable pressure.
• Proven autonomy, dynamic spirit, ability to take initiatives.

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 12 months extendable
• Open ended contract except for adhoc short assignments