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Source:  David O. Carter, PhD, Section Secretary

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) seeks Forensic Specialists for several positions worldwide beginning in 2018. Evolve your career with the ICRC Forensic Team to help shape forensic programs and infrastructures in countries affected by armed conflict, other situations of violence, and disasters. The ICRC offers an attractive salary (commensurate with education and experience) and benefits.

Senior forensic professionals are needed to effectively liaise with government officials and local forensic actors to ensure an adequate legal framework for forensic operations, efficient intra- and inter-institutional mechanisms of cooperation and exchange (including development of standard operating procedures), and that forensic practitioners are appropriately skilled to perform their tasks in relation to events of humanitarian concern. ICRC forensic positions do not involve casework.

Applicants must be prepared for assignment in active conflict zones. Some nationalities may be excluded from certain posts.

Length of assignment:  18 months, extendable.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Forensic practitioner holding at least a Masters degree or equivalent in medical, biological, or forensic sciences. Preferred areas of expertise: pathology, anthropology/archaeology, odontology, or molecular biology.
• At least five years post-graduate forensic casework experience.
• Language requirements: fluency in English and/or French and/or Spanish required. Additional languages an asset.
• Commitment toward the highest forensic scientific and ethical standards.

Highly Preferred:

• Experience in forensic practice applied to humanitarian or human rights investigations.
• Experience in various aspects related to post-conflict missing persons.
• Broad-based (multidisciplinary) technical and non-technical knowledge and experience related to the scientific and legal identification of human remains and an integrated forensic reconciliation process.
• Knowledge and experience in data management strategies, methodologies, and implementation, including electronic databases.
• Experience in Management of the Dead from Emergencies/DVI, with particular experience and skills in high-throughput mortuary management and forensic identification methods in mass casualty events.
• Broad-based (multi-context) knowledge and understanding of the medicolegal framework for death investigations.
• Understanding of cultural diversity, gender equality, and equal opportunities.
• Experience in project and staff management.

An Asset:

• Experience with legislation/regulation/policy development.
• Experience and skills in rapid situation analysis and strategy development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Proven experience and skills in delivering forensic training and a capacity to adapt the message to diverse audiences. Teaching experience at the graduate level an asset.
• Experience in the development of technical and non-technical guidelines and protocols.
• Experience in technical and non-technical report writing.
• Proven networking skills.
• Proven contribution to relevant scientific publications in the field of forensic practice, especially as it applies to humanitarian and human rights investigations.
• Experience and practice in negotiations and public relations, particularly applied to the promotion and implementation of professional and ethical standards related to the field of expertise.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience and capacity to work constructively in teams under considerable pressure.
• Proven autonomy, dynamic spirit, ability to take initiatives.

Senior, experienced professionals may apply at http://bit.ly/_forensic. Recruitment may last up to two months. Therefore, early application is encouraged.

NOTE:  Junior professionals may consider an internship at the ICRC Headquarters. Position openings are posted in the first quarter of the year at www.icrc.org.

The ICRC — working to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. Find out more at www.icrc.org.