Forensic Program Assistant

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral and independent international humanitarian organization, which assists and protects victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence. The ICRC is currently looking for staff for its support operations in Iraq.

ICRC offers:

• By joining our organization, you will have an opportunity to practice your profession in stimulating, complex, and sometimes challenging environments, where your work can make a difference.
• You will work with colleagues from various fields of expertise in a cross-cutting manner to help victims of conflict and other situations of violence. You will be dealing with humanitarian situations that require experience, resourcefulness, and innovation to achieve the best possible impact.
• You will work for the oldest major international humanitarian organization in the world, adding to your sense of achievement in alleviating the suffering of people and communities and giving you the chance to promote humanitarian values in these turbulent times.
• You will benefit from a competitive employment package, including different possibilities for career and personal development. You will take part in an onboarding course and follow continuous training, to build your career within the ICRC and beyond.
• The competitive compensation package, a monthly salary with benefits including (13^th salary, IRSP (International Retirement savings plan), final gratuity, medical coverage, life insurance, mobility allowance, and social security scheme).

Job Title: Forensic Program Assistant

Level: B2

Duty Station: Iraq – Basrah

Reports to: Protection Team Leader

Duration of Contract: 1-year fixed-term contract (with the possibility of renewal based on needs and performance).

Date of Issue:  20 March 2024

Deadline for applications:  02 April 2024

Objective:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing forensic assistance and technical advice to Iraqi authorities and organizations to address the humanitarian needs of the country over the past four decades. The ICRC serves as Chair of two Tripartite Commission mechanisms, a TC Mechanism between Iraq and Iran and a TC Mechanism between Iraq and Kuwait, to clarify the fate of missing military during the Gulf War. The main objective is to enhance the ICRC’s engagement and role in these mechanisms, focusing on technical capacity-development for authorities in all medicolegal processes. At the Basra level, the forensic program focuses on strengthening human remains management within the Tripartite Commission framework, including preliminary investigations, search and recovery, storage, forensic documentation, identification, handover/burial, and family attention.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs administrative tasks related to the implementation of the Forensic program, particularly related to the organization of field trips, training sessions, roundtables, monitoring, reporting, budget preparation and follow up and logistics, including participation in relevant meetings when required.
• Contributes to preparing, developing, and conducting trainings, workshops, and sensitization sessions to the relevant interlocuters.
• Contributes to the dissemination of all relevant information on forensics both within the ICRC and beyond, in line with International Humanitarian Law obligations, including the preparation and presentation of appropriate materials for diverse audiences.
• Contributes to the proper dissemination towards the ICRC Iraq Delegation staff about the forensic program, main objectives, ongoing activities, etc.
• Serves as focal point for the coordination, implementation, and reporting of all departments involved in the project at Al Zubair Centre.
• Supports remotely the TC team in Baghdad in all aspects pertaining information management efforts.
• Supports the project aiming at improving digitalization of data in Al Zubair Centre towards speeding and improving quality of services to the families of the missing and the deceased.
• Supports the improvement of storage of human remains and maintenance of storage facilities at structural level and procedures level.
• Supports the improvement of burial procedures / maintenance of cemeteries under the responsibility of AZC.
• Supports the proper documentation of cases (i.e., personal belongings, artifacts, others).
• Supports the improvement of attention to families assisting to AZC including register and collection of information.
• Represents the ICRC towards relevant interlocutors in matters related to forensics at NAS AoR level while maintains a good contact, updates contacts list, and supports continuous mapping of actors, actors of influence, amongst others in his/her AoR.
• Interacts with families/victims and family association/representative in need of technical clarifications and advice when relevant and provide feedbacks on potential avenues of mutual support.
• Provide written and oral reports on forensic issues as required.
• Prepare mission reports as required.
• Follows up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments.
• Contribute to institutional planning and reports.

Education and Professional Experience required

• University degree (bachelor or equivalent) in medical sciences and/or university degree in forensic sciences/criminalistics or related sciences or social studies.
• Work experience in medicolegal practice and casework is preferred.
• Previous experience with ICRC or another International Humanitarian Agency is an asset.
• Experience in project management, training, and supervision.
• Strong sense of responsibility and adaptability, able to work overtime when needed.
• Flexibility and ability to work independently and with a sense of initiative.
• Ability to cope with difficult situations (field, mortuaries, incident scenes, etc.).
• Highly developed analytical, planning, communication, and organizing skills.
• Training experience and skills and capacity to adapt messages to diverse audiences.
• Excellent level in English and Arabic language.