Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Information Systems Management Section (ISMS) of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM) located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Information and Evidence Officer will be under the direct supervision of the Information and Evidence Officer P4.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Conducts information and evidence review and analysis tasks as an eDiscovery project manager by: a) Translating the objectives of investigations into technical activities to assist teams in their examination of electronic content; b) Populating evidence selection systems in a manner that enables teams to select relevant information and evidence; c) Analyzing structures and purposes of collected data in order to advise staff on appropriate measures to extract relevant information while maintaining the forensic integrity of the evidence; d) Assisting teams in building and executing search queries to identify material of interest; e) Liaising with third-parties such as vendors, experts, government entities, non-governmental bodies, individuals, or legal counsels and communicating technical issues related to defensible evidence handling and data transfer; f) Liaising and providing consulting services to downstream third-party judicial and prosecutorial entities regarding technical aspects of review, analysis and information retrieval; g) Drafting custodian questionnaires and defining identification frameworks for investigations and collections; 2. Performs evidence handling and custodial obligations by: a) Ensuring the sound collection, preservation, registration, digitization, and secure permanent storage of collected material and maintaining its chain of custody, provenance taxonomies, auditing, and authenticity; b) Managing data ingestion, processing, and indexing of registered material and populating review and analysis systems; c) Establishing efficient procedures regarding the review of evidence and information; d) Defining, implementing, and maintaining an end-to-end data model supporting efficient information flow within evidence handling business processes and enforcing the provenance of collected material and confidential classifications; e) Developing eDiscovery requirements and workflows, including technical specifications for data harvesting and processing and required formats for the transfer of data; 3. Manages operational aspects of system design, evaluation and application support by: a) In accordance with the Section’s project management framework, contributing to the designing the Mechanism’s eDiscovery protocols and the necessary technology infrastructure necessary to implement procedures and support the Mechanism’s mandate; b) Preparing technical documents, gathering requirements, and initiating standardization and procurement practices in accordance with United Nations procedures; c) Providing training on eDiscovery and its tools for both internal and external stakeholders; d) Acting as an administrator of eDiscovery tools; e) Performing other duties as requested.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Has expertise in eDiscovery data retrieval and analysis, data processing work, forensic preservation and analysis, or document review support work; has knowledge of the eDiscovery Reference Model (EDRM) as well as recent developments in legal technology; has a thorough understanding of search strategies and technologies (both text and non-text), data and metadata, and technology assisted review, as well as scripting skills (e.g., Python, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, or VB) for data processing and automation; has proven ability to assist with or contribute to complex criminal investigations, including expertise in documentation; has excellent analytical capacity. Has extensive knowledge and expertise in both left-side and right-side EDRM activity including the collection and preservation of digital evidence; is familiar with Agile project management methodologies and their practical application to investigation scenarios; 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. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information science, information systems, computer science archival, law, social science or related field. 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certification in eDiscovery is desirable. Certification in project management is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience in information management or a related area, of which a minimum of two years in eDiscovery, is required. Experience in the legal industry is required. Experience in electronic evidence handling, including chain of custody, provenance, verification, authenticity and auditing is required. Experience in litigation project management is required. Experience with documents using right-to-left script and information retrieval techniques for Arabic is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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.

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. 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.