Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The UNDP Projects Management Office (PMO) in Nicosia, Cyprus, seeks to contract a Researcher to work for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP).

 The overall objective of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) project is to close, without further delay, a painful chapter in the history of the island and contribute to restoring trust and fostering reconciliation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. This important objective will be further encouraged and promoted through the participation of bi-communal scientific teams in all stages of the process. 

 The expected output is to recover, identify and return to their families the remains of persons who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963 to 1964 and the events of 1974, as well as during the intervening period.

 The output will be achieved via the following activity results: (1) Investigation, (2) Excavation, (3) Anthropological Analysis, (4) Identification, (5) Return of Remains, (6) Communication and Public Awareness, (7) Training, Well-Being and Capacity Building, and (8) Project Management. 

UNDP Cyprus is in full synergy with the overall mandate of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, and is responsible for the day-to-day administrative, financial and procurement implementation of the project. The primary target group is the families of missing persons from both communities of the island.

The Data Collection Clerk is based in the CMP Greek Cypriot Member’s Office. The incumbent reports to the UNDP Project Analyst and works in a close contact with the CMP and UNDP teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Support in conducting research in collecting, analyzing, reviewing and reporting information regarding the fate of the missing persons in Cyprus focusing on the achievement of the following results:
    • Support in conducting interviews with witnesses or informants.
    • Support in research on archives, newspapers, social media etc.
    • Support in identifying, reviewing, providing feedback and propose possible burial sites, last seen place of disappearance etc.
    • Update CMP database with all relevant information.
    • Provide information on outlining the activities carried out, the deliverables completed, and the milestones reached.
    • Participate to meetings where relatives of missing persons are informed or updated on the cases of their missing persons, subject to strict data protection and confidentiality standards.
  2. Support in identification of potential burial sites focusing on the achievement of the following results:
  • Based on the research information indicate potential burial sites.
  • Collaborate with the archaeological team of CMP before and during site excavations.
  • Conduct site visits before and during the excavation.
  • Communicate with CMP geneticists regarding cases undergoing genetic analysis.

        3. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the office focusing on the achievement of the following results:

       •      Participation in the trainings for the staff related to the duties performed.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition  
Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making

Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in

line with one's authority, area of expertise and

resources and take into consideration potential

wider implications. 

  
Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and

judgement to understand how interrelated

elements coexist within an overall process or

system, and to consider how altering one element

can impact on other parts of the system 

  
Business Development Knowledge Facilitation

Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally

and externally, and to design and facilitate

activities, to share and exchange knowledge,

information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and

approaches to stimulate active participation,

contribution, and exchange 

  
Digital  Data Collection 

 Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data

Cleaning, Survey Administration,

Presentation and Reporting

including

collection of Real-Time Data (e.g.

mobile data, satellite data, sensor

data).

  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary education  is required. 

Experience:

  • Minimum of 3 years (with secondary education) experience in data collection is required. 

Required skills:

  • Experience in research, including the ability to collect and analyze information from a variety of sources, such as achieves, newspapers and social media. 
  • Experience in conducting interviews with witnesses or informants in a sensitive and professional manner, and be able to ask questions that elicit relevant information
  • Experience in evaluate information and evidence critically, and use this to propose potential burial sites
  • Experience in updating and maintaining a database with all relevant information related to missing persons and their potential burial sites
  • Experience in using Microsoft office tools. 

Desired additional skills:

  • Experience and good understanding of the sensitive and bi-communal work of CMP is an asset.
  • Experience in bi-communal actions, such as participation in bi-communal groups, events and activities is an asset
  • Experience and knowledge of the modern historical context of Cyprus
  • Work experience in forensic investigation and information analysis is considered is an asset.
  • Work experience in missing persons is considered an asset

Required Language(s) (at working level):

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in Greek is required.
  • Basic knowledge of Turkish is considered an asset

Other:

  • Nationals or permanenty residents in Cyprus are eligible.
  • Certificate in criminology, investigations or similar subject is considered an asset

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.