Clinical Psychologist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNITAD is the Investigative Team mandated by Security Council resolution 2379 (2017) to support domestic efforts to hold ISIL (Da’esh) accountable their crimes by collecting, preserving, and storing evidence in Iraq of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by the terrorist group ISIL (Da’esh) in Iraq.

Reflecting the global impact and reach of ISIL terrorist activities, as well as its extensive recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters, the Council has also requested the Special Adviser and Head of UNITAD to promote throughout the world, accountability for acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed by ISIL, and work with survivors to ensure their interests in achieving accountability are fully recognized.

In further recognition of the global nature of ISIL crimes, the Council underlined that another Member State in whose territory ISIL has committed acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, may request the Investigative Team to collect evidence of such acts, but only with the approval of the Security Council.

UNITAD is based in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq. Based on the mandate established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2379 (2017) and the Terms of Reference regarding the activities of the Investigative Team in Iraq, as approved by the Security Council on 13 February 2018, UNITAD engages, inter alia, in the following activities:

Collection of a broad range of existing documentary, digital and testimonial evidence, obtained from actors including Iraqi national authorities, other national governments, victims and witness groups, civil society bodies and international and regional organizations;
Compilation and analysis evidentiary material to identify gaps that need to be filled;
Conduct of targeted field-based investigations in order to obtain physical, digital, forensic and testimonial evidence that will serve to fill the gaps ide

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Clinical Psychologist and in close cooperation with the Lead Clinical Psychologist, the UN Volunteer will contribute to the provision of psychosocial support to victims and witnesses interacting with UNITAD. More specifically, the UN Volunteer will:

The incumbent conducts pre-interview psychological assessments in accordance with the UNITAD protocol in particular on vulnerable witnesses such as children, women and victims of conflict -related sexual violence. The assessments are to identify and recommend measures for the Investigative Team to facilitate the testimony of such witnesses to the fullest possible extent in emotionally safe and reassuring environment without suffering further harm. The incumbent conducts also post-interview debriefings of vulnerable witnesses.



Where appropriate, the incumbent assists investigators to interview traumatized or vulnerable witnesses, in particular children and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
Participates in the provision appropriate assistance during interviews and monitors the wellbeing of all witnesses during interviews where appropriate.
Trains UNITAD staff members on issues relevant to witnesses' and victims' mental health and psychosocial support, secondary victimization and trauma especially with regard to children, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and other vulnerable groups.
Cooperates with competent Iraqi authorities providing psychosocial, medical and mental health services. Participates with capacity-building trainings for Iraqi judicial and investigative authorities and other relevant national entities with respect to support and psychosocial assistance, and sensitivity to the needs of victims and witnesses.
Cooperates with the network of governmental, international and CSO service providers who have a mandate to provide psychosocial, medical and mental health services, for the purpose of facilitating a

, Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Client Orientation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

Minimum of 24 month’s experience of direct assessment and treatment of vulnerable groups, such as victims of sexual violence and traumatized children and adults, within criminal justice system structures.
Experience in the Middle East and North Africa is desirable. Field experience and/or experience with working with victims in conflict-affected settings is an asset.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic and/or Kurdish is desirable.
Proficiency with MS Office applications, and good general computer literacy;
Ability to travel throughout the Republic of Iraq;
Sound security awareness;
Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

This assignment requires travel with investigators to various field locations in Iraq. The UN Volunteer will live in Duhok which is a non family duty station. Duhok has moderate security risks and personnel work in compounds with relative freedom of movement within the city limits. Travel outside of Kurdistan is usually with stringent clearances and depending on the destination, a military escort.

The official offices of UNITAD will be located inside the “International Zone”, which comprises all UN Offices operating out of Baghdad. Generally speaking, stringent security measures are in place throughout the country, and UN Volunteers, as other UN staff, are quite limited in all duty stations in Iraq when it comes to movement. Where travel to Baghdad is required movement within the “International Zone”, is done using armored vehicles.