Legal Officer – Analysis and Investigation

Details

Mission and objectives

UNITAD is the Investigative Team mandated by Security Council resolution 2379 (2017) to support domestic efforts to hold ISIL (Da’esh) accountable their crimes by collecting, preserving, and storing evidence in Iraq of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by the terrorist group ISIL (Da’esh) in Iraq. Reflecting the global impact and reach of ISIL terrorist activities, as well as its extensive recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters, the Council has also requested the Special Adviser and Head of UNITAD to promote throughout the world, accountability for acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed by ISIL, and work with survivors to ensure their interests in achieving accountability are fully recognized. In further recognition of the global nature of ISIL crimes, the Council underlined that another Member State in whose territory ISIL has committed acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, may request the Investigative Team to collect evidence of such acts, but only with the approval of the Security Council. UNITAD is based in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq. Based on the mandate established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2379 (2017) and the Terms of Reference regarding the activities of the Investigative Team in Iraq, as approved by the Security Council on 13 February 2018, UNITAD engages, inter alia, in the following activities: • Collection of a broad range of existing documentary, digital and testimonial evidence, obtained from actors including Iraqi national authorities, other national governments, victims and witness groups, civil society bodies and international and regional organizations;

Context

• As an active UNITAD team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNITAD and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Prepares high-quality analytical reports providing assessments of evidence on sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children, the context in which they were committed, and their links to other crimes; • Undertakes legal research and prepares detailed legal memos analyzing the facts against the applicable law and making legal findings on specific crimes and modes of liability applicable to specific perpetrators; • Together with investigators and analysts, prepares plans to conduct interviews with witnesses and victims of sexual violence and crimes against children; • Serves as second interviewer in the statement taking of witnesses and victims of sexual violence and crimes against children, including by preparing draft statements in accordance with the applicable SOPs; • Makes concrete proposals for investigative steps that can be taken to close evidence gaps. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of the Gender and Children Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Legal Officer – Analysis and Investigation will: • Reviews evidence to conduct factual analysis of sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children; • Based on the review of evidence, prepares narrative of facts reports identifying gaps of information and investigative leads; • Carries out legal research and prepare memoranda on legal issues to support the work of the Unit as well as respective Field Investigation Units; • Together with investigators, participates in the interviews of witnesses and victims including by contributing to interview plans and taking detailed notes for signed statements; • Drafts notes to file and records of meetings and interviews held with relevant groups and individuals, including victims and witnesses; • Assists in the compilation, organization and storage of evidence and information obtained by their respective Field Investigation Units, in consultation with the Archive and Records Section and the Information Systems Management Unit of UNITAD; and • Performs any other duties as required.