Digital Forensics Officer

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.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. We represent the world's commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The digital revolution has had a profound and in many way positive impact on human existence. For billions of people, digital technologies touch upon more and more of their social interactions. This transformational change is also driving an exponential increase in the volume and types of data available, creating unprecedented possibilities for informing society and protecting human rights and the environment. While the benefits of the digital revolution are unquestionable, new risks are emerging, including for human rights monitoring and investigations. These range from cybersecurity risks associated with remote source engagement, to risks of automated content moderation complicating the preservation of digital evidence, to risks related to synthetic media and the ability of human rights investigators to verify online content.

OHCHR already regularly uses open-source information as part of its human rights monitoring, investigations, analysis, early warning and prevention efforts to address human rights challenges. The Office has worked with the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, to produce the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations. Equally it has secured access to various data sources and streams, as well as absorbed relevant methods and technology tools.

To further develop and inform these efforts, and address the aforementioned challenges, as well as support its broader work on monitoring and investigation of human rights violations, analysis, assessment and early warning, UN Human Rights is expanding and strengthening its work in the following areas: • Assessment of cyber risks and threats to online human rights work, including surveillance frameworks and capabilities of cyber threat actors and context-specific risks to sources. • Monitor advances in synthetic media and innovations in methods and technology tools for verification of online content. • Assessment, human rights due diligence and absorption of technology tools relevant to human rights monitoring methodology, information management and digital artefact collection, preservation and verification workflows. • Development of policies, protocols and guidance. • Targeted training, coaching, assessments and advice on data processing, technology and cyber risk management. • Implementation of the digital components of thematic projects. • Horizon scanning to identify risks and surface opportunities. • Analytical inputs into thematic reporting on human rights challenges.
• Development of data and technology partnerships.

UN Human Rights works closely with peace operations, UN departments such as DPO and OCHA, UN Country Teams, UNESCO, UNDP, UNOG, regional organizations, government institutions, professional associations and NGOs.

The UNV role is located in the Methodology Education and Training Section (METS), part of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of UN Human Rights. METS, among other areas, provides digital services to OHCHR units and offices helping them to meet needs at the nexus of methodology, user experience design, data, technology and cybersecurity.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Technology Advisor of the Methodology, Education and Training Section (METS), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Conduct research and deliver advice on location-specific surveillance architectures, legislation and capabilities of cyber threat actors to inform cyber risk management and source engagement protocols. • Monitor advances in synthetic media and innovations in methods and technology tools for verification of online content. • Support colleagues in the capture and preservation of online content, information management, content verification and provenance analysis, as well as mapping and due diligence of appropriate technology tools and methodological inputs to improve associated workflows. • Provide inputs to policies, protocols and methodological guidance to keep abreast of evolving cybersecurity risks, digital camouflage needs, media manipulation practices, and digital content capture, preservation and information management needs. • Support training, coaching, assessments and the delivery of advice on technology tools for human rights monitoring and investigations and cyber risk management. • Contribute to knowledge management in the substantive area of work, including the development of methodological guidance and learning materials, as well as contributions to UN communities of practice, online and in-person. • Help with occasional administrative tasks when needed. • Assist with programme and other reporting. • Perform other related duties as required.

Results/expected outputs: As an active OHCHR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OHCHR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Production of analyses of location-specific surveillance architectures, legislation and capabilities of cyber threat actors based on requests from investigative bodies and OHCHR field presences. • Documented analysis of advances in synthetic media and innovations in methods and technology tools for verification of online content. • Documented support to the capture and preservation of online content, information management, content verification and provenance analysis, as well as mapping and due diligence of appropriate technology tools and methodological inputs to improve associated workflows. • Contribution is made towards improving policies, protocols and methodology for managing cybersecurity risks, digital camouflage needs, identifying media manipulation practices, and digital content capture, preservation and information management needs. • Documented support to cybersecurity risk assessments and audits. • Production of learning, guidance, communications and analytical materials on technology tools for human rights monitoring and investigations and cyber risk management. • Documented support to training workshops and other learning experiences. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism • Teamwork • Creativity • Technological Awareness • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OHCHR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

a field related to digital forensics, synthetic media, data protection and/or cybersecurity. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Living conditions in Geneva are generally good. Practical information about living in Geneva can be found here: https://www.cagi.ch/en/practical-geneva/

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2951.08 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days