Database Analyst

Volunteering Communications & PR IT & Telecom

Overview

Support the CRSV Specialized Unit in data analysis for war crimes investigations.

You have:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, including the use of complex formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization tools.
• Proficiency in Python (BeautifulSoup, Selenium, etc.), APIs, Telegram/other bots.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing reports and conducting interviews.
• Experience in conducting OSINT research using various digital platforms.
• Proven prior work experience as a vetted specialist supporting law enforcement agencies in handling sensitive data.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

Contract

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Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, there has been evidence and reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). Cases of CRSV crimes have been documented against women, men, girls, and boys, and it is expected that the number of documented cases will continue to grow as the armed conflict continues and more evidence, survivors’ accounts, reports, and allegations come to light. To support coherent action in addressing the situation and challenges indicated above, in May 2022, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) signed, on behalf of the United Nations, a Framework of Cooperation (FoC) on the Prevention and Response to CRSV with the Government of Ukraine. An Implementation Plan for the FoC was also adopted in 2022, and a revised version was launched in December 2023.

As part of the efforts to advance the FoC and its Implementation Plan, in 2023, UNDP in Ukraine and the UN Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict (Team of Experts) established a close partnership to strengthen, through joint and coordinated activities, national criminal accountability mechanisms for CRSV and the capacity of the Ukrainian justice system to conduct effective, victim/survivor-centred, gender-sensitive, and trauma-informed investigations and criminal prosecutions of CRSV. A new joint project between UNDP in Ukraine and the Team of Experts started on 1 December 2024 and builds on the results and lessons learned from the initial phase, leveraging successful strategies and identifying areas for improvement to further enhance the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing CRSV and ensuring justice for survivors.

The purpose of the support provided under this assignment is to assist the CRSV Specialized Unit in the Office of the Prosecutor General in implementing the second stage in the roll-out of an evidence management system that will facilitate the investigation and prosecution of complex CRSV cases.

The planned partnership with the Team of Experts for the purpose of achieving this outcome is premised on the Team of Experts’ engagement and close work with national authorities and UN partners in Ukraine since February 2022 to address rule of law issues arising out of the CRSV committed in the armed conflict in the country. In particular, the UNDP CO’s engagement and the partnership between the CO and the Team of Experts will continue to be guided by the FoC. It will build on the current participation of both the Team of Experts and UNDP CO in the Inter-Ministerial Task Force Working Group and on the role of the Team of Experts as co-chair of the sub-working group on accountability and access to justice.

In this context, Database Analysts will support the CRSV Specialized Unit within the Office of the Prosecutor General in the implementation of an evidence management system that ensures effective investigation and prosecution of complex cases related to war crimes. Database Analysts will be responsible for processing, structuring, analyzing, and interpreting large volumes of data, including digital evidence, testimonies, and criminal case materials.

The Database Analysts will: • Work with analytical software and systems for processing and structuring large volumes of data. • Perform data entry, validation, and organization within the Palantir and Intella Investigator platforms (following specialized training). • Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, including the use of complex formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization tools. • Conduct OSINT (open-source intelligence) research at the request of prosecutors within the framework of criminal proceedings, including the identification, verification, and analysis of publicly available information from diverse sources. • Prepare comprehensive analytical reports and intelligence summaries in criminal cases related to war crimes and crimes against humanity, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and evidentiary relevance. • Support prosecutors and investigative teams by identifying patterns, links, and trends within datasets, including communication records, geospatial data, and digital evidence. • Assist in the development of analytical methodologies and contributes to the improvement of data processing workflows and investigative strategies. • Ensure proper documentation, data integrity, and compliance with internal procedures and legal standards in handling sensitive information. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including investigators, prosecutors, and IT specialists, to facilitate effective information exchange and case support. • Perform additional analytical and organizational tasks as assigned by the leadership of the Second Directorate of Procedural Guidance and Public Prosecution Support of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict, Office of the Prosecutor General.

Key Responsibilities: Data and Information Systems Work • Processing and structuring large datasets in specialized systems (Palantir, Intella Investigator • Data entry, verification of meta data, and mainstreaming of meta data • Ensuring data integrity and quality • Organizing efficient storage, retrieval, and recovery of information

Processing Audio and Video Materials from Interrogations • Listening to and analyzing interrogation recordings of witnesses, victims, suspects, prisoners of war • Extracting key information: personal identification data (full name, call signs, units), locations of events and detention, timeframes, main crimes, methods of violence • Identifying: patterns/systematic nature of international crimes, recurring scenarios, new incidents

Structuring and Maintaining Analytical Databases • Transferring collected data into structured tables (Excel and other tools) • Building data logic: entities (person, event, location, unit), relationships between them • Maintaining registries of: crime incidents, individuals involved, detention locations • Using: complex formulas, pivot tables, visualization tools

Analytics and Pattern Detection • Analyzing data to identify: systematic patterns of crimes, recurring behavioral patterns, links between different cases. • Building: event timelines, movement maps, network connections.

OSINT Research • Conducting open-source investigations using: social media, media sources, open databases • Identifying, verifying, and analyzing information • Confirming facts and geolocations

Automation of Data Collection and Processing (Preferred) • Developing and using bots/scripts for: parsing open sources, monitoring information resources, collecting and pre-processing data • Using: Python (BeautifulSoup, Selenium, etc.), APIs, Telegram/other bots

Preparation of Analytical Materials • Preparing: analytical reports, intelligence summaries, materials for criminal proceedings • Ensuring: accuracy, logical consistency, evidentiary relevance

Support of Criminal Investigations • Collaborating with prosecutors and investigators • Assisting in building evidence bases • Identifying links between individuals and events

Building Connections and Analytical Models • Analyzing: communication data, geospatial information, digital evidence • Identifying: hierarchies, chains of command, roles of participants

Handling Sensitive Information • Adhering to highest confidentiality standards • Proper handling of traumatic materials • Compliance with legal and ethical norms

Process Optimization: • Developing and improving analytical methodologies • Optimizing data processing workflows • Enhancing information management systems

Team Collaboration: • Working with: prosecutors, investigators, IT specialists, international experts

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

Desired skills and experience • Proficiency in Python (BeautifulSoup, Selenium, etc.), APIs, Telegram/other bots • Proven prior work experience as a vetted specialist supporting law enforcement agencies in handling sensitive data within

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances: • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1717 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”. • USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment. • USD 120 Exit lump sum for each month served, paid on completion of contract.

Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements: • Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. • Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org