Job Description

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Forensic Delegate is responsible for delivering specific forensic expertise internally and/or externally, ranging from advising on external forensic casework, (by external casework we mean handling, processing, analyzing and interpreting forensic data in the frame of a scientific identification process and in accordance with best standards applicable to a Forensic science specialty as well as ICRC Data Protection management standards). The position does not include forensic practical work, but rather focus on designing and/or managing a specific forensic capacity building program in situations of armed conflicts and large scale missing person program, or to provide expertise on the development of specific projects.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Leads on the provision of forensic expertise in line with the up-to-date standards of relevant scientific disciplines.
• Conducts assessments of local capacity and infrastructure and provides recommendations for improvement.
• Works with local authorities and local forensic institutions.
• Designs and delivers a comprehensive capacity building training in forensic practice.
• Manages or supports the context's program in terms of financial, logistics and human resources.

Desired profile and skills

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment

Our values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

Scope & impact

• Scope: an ICRC office or sub-structure with geographical impact potentially covering multiple countries (depending on the assignment)
• Impact: operational

Relationships

• Internally: works within a multi disciplinary team, and coordinating with other ICRC departments.
• Externally: works with the local forensic practitioners and deathcare workers, the Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society, the authorities involved into the management of the dead and missing (e.g., Ministry of Interior, Justice, Health, Defense, Civil Protection, Disaster Management, etc.), the regional/federal authorities, relevant NGOs, and communities/families affected by the situation.

Certifications / Education required

• Masters degree or equivalent in Forensic Sciences (Forensic Medicine, Anthropology, Archaeology, Odontology, Genetics or closely related field)
• Experience in the field of missing persons investigations; Disaster Victim Identification and / or Forensic Case management in human Identification, is an advantage
• Computer proficiency: technological awareness, experience in using different databases or software tools used in analysis and management of forensic casework
• Experience in writing complex multi-faceted reports is an advantage

Professional experience required

• At least 5 years’ experience in forensic practice, disaster victim identification (DVI) operations, medicolagel/death investigation, multifactorial forensic case management with law enforcement.
• Experience and advanced knowledge in forensic genetics.
• Proven experience in team work (preferably multicultural and multi-disciplinary).
• Experience in promoting the implementation of professional and ethical standards in his/her field of expertise.
• Experience in design and delivery of training an asset.

Language

• English (C1 level) mandatory
• French and/or Arabic (B2 level) a strong asset