Forensic Expert, Needs Assessment – Investigation of Cases of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)

Organization Profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. This is a complex global challenge that can be tackled effectively through cross-cutting programs that address a variety of difficult, interconnected issues.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other causes and to assist them in doing so. To learn more about ICMP click here.

Position Background

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is implementing a multi-year program to assist Ukraine authorities to develop a sustainable process of accounting for missing persons and to ensure the rights of families of the missing are secured. As part of this work the ICMP signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine. Under this MoC the ICMP aims to be provide assistance in the fields of forensic genetics and forensic examination by providing mutual assistance in expert activities, in particular technical and other means for conducting forensic examinations in order to identify missing/unidentified bodies and provide relevant forensic medical information for court purposes. 

The purpose of role is to undertake a needs assessment to evaluate the potential requirement for training for Heads of the Departments and Deputy Heads of all regional bureaus of forensic medical examination who are regularly required to examine living persons (including victims and accused) in cases of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). A consultant is sought to support Ukraine’s efforts in investigating and documenting evidence of conflict-related sexual violence, as part of ongoing criminal investigations.

The Consultant’s responsibilities will include: 

• Liaising with other international actors including, but not limited to, WHO and the UN, involved in supporting cooperation on CRSV cases in Ukraine to understand in detail the existing challenges associated with the investigation of CRSV; 
• Conducting a pre-training needs assessment of forensic medical doctors to identify specific requirements; 
• Reviewing current methodologies employed in the examination of cases of conflict-related sexual violence taking into account; 
• Understanding sexual violence under national and international laws; 
• Planning sexual violence investigations and the importance of sexual violence in broader investigations; 
• Developing effective interviewing skills; 
• Ensuring the safety and protection of witnesses; 
• Documenting physical evidence of injuries in accordance with the Minesota Protocol and the World Health Organisation (WHO) guide; 
• Offering psychosocial support;
• Delivering expert evidence; and
• Providing recommendations regarding possible future training. 

Requirements:

• A relevant qualification in e.g., clinical forensic medicine with a focus on the investigation of sexual violence, specifically in conflict zones; 
• At least 10 years of practical casework experience in the field of clinical forensic medicine; 
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking needs assessments and delivering training in the investigation of cases of sexual violence; 
• Ability to work with interpreter/translators; and
• Willingness and availability to work in-person in Kyiv.

Expected start date: As soon as possible. 

VN close date: 30 September 2024

This is a short-term consultancy for a duration of two weeks. The total amount for the consultancy is $10,300 USD. Payment will be made within thirty (30) days or earlier of ICMP approving the invoice for payment by bank transfer. 

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice, or may decide to offer a position with different duties and/or contract length.

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