Associate Witness Support Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar was established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 39/2, adopted on 27 September 2018. The creation of the Mechanism was welcomed by the General Assembly in its resolution 73/264, adopted on 22 December 2018. This position is located in the Office of the Head of Mechanism, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Associate Witness Support Officer reports to the Witness Support Officer, P-3.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

- Provides inputs for the development of investigation plans with respect to support measures for witnesses before, during and after interviews.
- Conducts pre-interview assessments of witnesses' support needs and makes recommendations on appropriate support measures.
- Attends interviews, monitors the emotional and psychosocial wellbeing of witnesses during interviews, and provides counseling, and other support as required, including through the use of interpreters ensuring the principle of “do no harm”.
- Follows up after witness interviews as needed, and maintains up-to-date and detailed records on individual witnesses, their needs, and the assistance required and provided to them.
- Provides guidance on strategies to support witness protection including cases involving international relocation.
- Liaises with international organizations, NGOs, relevant national authorities and other relevant interlocutors to identify and assess potential referral pathways for medical, psychosocial and other support services which may be required by victims and witnesses who engage with the Mechanism.
- Participates in the development of and review of aspects of internal policies, protocols and procedures with respect to witness support, as well as the production of informational materials for victims and witnesses as guided by the supervisor.
- Provides training and guidance to investigation teams interacting with victims and witnesses on issues related to trauma and other psychosocial support issues.
- Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UN system; knowledge of domestic and/or international criminal justice systems. Demonstrated experience in working under high pressure with minimal supervision, and responding quickly and effectively to meet the needs of individuals in fast moving situations. Experience and skills in working with people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and experience in the use of interpreters. Experience of case management and direct counseling, preferably with refugees, victims or witnesses to human rights violations or serious crimes. 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. Willingness to work flexible hours and attend meetings or address witness needs outside normal office hours. Willingness to travel and work in the field for extended lengths of time.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Social Work, Psychology or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of work experience of direct counseling of vulnerable individuals, such as refugees or victims and witnesses of human rights violations or serious crimes, is required.

Field experience and experience working with international criminal tribunals, international organizations or NGOs is required.

Experience in the identification and provision of support measures for witnesses in criminal proceedings is desirable.

Experience in assessing the support needs of witnesses and making appropriate recommendations is desirable.

Experience working with clients from Myanmar is desirable.

Experience working with witness protection teams/units is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of one or more of the Myanmar languages is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity 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.

United Nations Considerations

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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.