Investigator (Temporary Job Opening), P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

Human Rights Council Resolution 60/2 established the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan (IIMA) with the mandate to collect, consolidate, preserve, and analyse evidence of international crimes and the most serious violations and abuses of international law, including those that may also amount to violations and abuses of international human rights law, committed in Afghanistan, including against women and girls, and to prepare case files in order to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings, in accordance with international law standards, in national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have or may in the future have jurisdiction over these crimes. Pending final determination of the seat of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan, this position is based in Vienna. The Investigator is under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Collection, Analysis and Sharing Section of the IIMA.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Investigator will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Participates in investigations in cases involving serious breaches of international humanitarian law, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, rape and sexual and gender based violence, including by supervising the work of other investigators during field missions;
2. Supervises the preparation of complete and concise investigation and mission plans, reports, briefs and files by other investigators;
3. Ensures that signed statements from survivors in difficult or hostile environments and circumstances are obtained, including through the use of interpreters, where necessary. Reviews and analyzes documents and determines what type of information needs to be elicited during interviews. Coordinates as necessary with representatives of government, the UN, civil society actors and other partners in order to conduct interviews and gather evidence;
4. Acts as the IIMA's focal point for the preparation of protocols, procedures and practical tools to manage security risks that arise as part of the IIMA's evidence gathering activities;
5. Represents the IIMa in briefings and conferences with investigations staff, other members of the IIMA, as well as actors external to the IIMA including governmental officials, civil society actors, UN entities and other partners relevant to the collection of information and evidence;
6. Searches for, identifies, collects, records and preserves physical evidence ensuring that all potential or relevant evidence is gathered and secured, and that all necessary evidential chains of custody are established and maintained. Presents evidence in proceedings, if required;
7. Collaborates with national prosecutors, police or law enforcement agencies with investigative and/or prosecutorial activities, including in relation to interviews with, and testimony given by, suspects and other witnesses;
8. Coordinates arrangements for attendance of witnesses at locations where they provide statements and at formal court or tribunal proceedings;
9. Participates in arranging and coordinating witness protection measures;
10. Performs administrative functions pertaining to the implementation of policies and procedures for the IIMA;
11. Assists with forensic projects when required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Proven ability to conduct large scale and complex criminal investigations and build cases. Ability to analyze complex political, military, paramilitary, and other related groups' activities in relation to war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, including sexual crimes, violence and abuses. Ability to employ sound professional investigative experience to facilitate the production of high quality work from the team. Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal investigations. Familiarity with and experience in the use of various research methodologies and sources, including digital sources. Ability to work in a high-tech environment. Proven ability to gather evidence, and interview suspects and witnesses. Shows pride in work and in achievements, 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.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

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

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, international law, criminal investigation, police studies or related fields. A combination of a first-level university degree in the aforementioned field together with formal qualifications and/or certifications in investigations (military, police, federal/national intelligence agencies) and two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Formal qualifications and/or certifications in Investigations (pursuant to a course of study, training and examinations of a state/national law enforcement institution, a national military academy or a federal/national intelligence service training institution, supplemented with professional development courses and/or certifications involving study, training and examinations in investigatory work) in combination with four additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the first-level university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in law enforcement or criminal investigations in cases involving serious breaches of international humanitarian law, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, rape and sexual and gender-based violence or a related legal area is required.

Experience with an international or multilateral public institution is required.

Experience gathering evidence and interviewing suspects and witnesses is required.

Law enforcement or criminal investigations work experience in the Central Asia region particularly related to the situation in Afghanistan is desirable.

Work experience in the areas of sexual and gender-based crimes and justice for children is desirable.

Experience working in a high-tech environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Dari is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Desirable Languages

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to the continuation of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).

Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment.

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.