Weapons Expert
Conduct research and analysis on weapons trade and international law violations.
Overview
Conduct research and analysis on weapons trade and international law violations.
You have:
- An Advanced University degree in law, economics or other social sciences is required.
- A first-level degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying work experience may also be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- At least 8 years of responsible professional experience working on armed violence, tracking illicit financial or arms flows, or military and policing tactics and technologies.
- Experience in drafting high quality analytical reports clearly and concisely is required.
- Experience collaborating with national actors, including government ministry officials, police and army officers; human sources, NGOs or research institutes in armed conflict investigations.
- Experience in international investigations or at international criminal tribunals is desirable.
- Experience in specialized analysis software and databases is desirable.
- Experience working on Myanmar or Myanmar-related matters is desirable.
- Experience of weapons, ammunition identification, damage and post-blast investigation in armed conflicts is desirable.
- Fluency in English is required.
- French is a working language of the United Nations Secretariat.
Contract
This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.
Result of Service
Provide report(s) following a review of the evidentiary materials collected by the Mechanism identifying material pertinent to the mandate of the Mechanism.
Work Location
Home-based
Expected duration
Sept 25 to Aug 26
Duties and Responsibilities
The position is with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), based in Geneva, Switzerland, within its Financial Investigation Team. The Weapons Expert will be a member of the Collection, Analysis and Sharing Section (CASS), will report the Senior Legal Officer, CASS and is responsible for the performance of the following duties: - Provide research and advice in relation to weapons and weapons trade within the Mandate of the Mechanism by the identification and tracking of weapons and other specialized equipment (including dual-use items) potentially used to carry out serious international crimes and other serious violations of international law and human rights in Myanmar between 2011 to the present day. This will involve identifying and reviewing evidentiary materials, open-source information, and any other forms of information, including but not limited to: a) Physical documentation; b) Trade and shipping data; c) Corporate data; d) Financial transaction data; and e) Information on intangible transfer of technology concerning defence-related products. - Research and advice into actors and networks who have potentially been involved in the supply, brokering or transfer of weapons and other relevant equipment in potential violation of international economic and financial sanctions, embargoes and trade restrictions; - Research and advice into the cross-border supply mechanisms and relevant market dynamics; - Identify relevant sources of information and data for the Financial Investigation Team; - Identify weapons and ammunition used in incidents under investigation by the IIMM, including from photographic, video and satellite evidence; and analyse the use of weapons and ammunition in relation to international law; - Design and deliver training for CASS on weapons evidence collection and open source weapons research; - Provide advice and assistance in relation to the preparation of Requests for Information to relevant authorities and actors including but not limited to tracing requests based on the research conducted; - Work in the information and evidence databases and create reports as required; - Use specialized analysis software to record searches, analysis and findings, and to check information; - Consult and coordinate with the Financial Investigation Team as well as other evidence reviewers, analysts, investigators, legal officers and supervisors to assure conformity and consistency with internal guidelines; - Prepare analytical reports to assist case files; - Meetings and briefings to relevant prosecution agencies as required; - Maintain organised files and work accurately and efficiently to meet tight deadlines; - Prepare investigations plans to assist the investigation of serious international crimes; and, - Perform any other duties as may be directed by the supervisor.
Qualifications/special skills
An Advanced University degree in law, economics or other social sciences is required. A first-level degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying work experience may also be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 8 years of responsible professional experience working on matters such as armed violence, tracking illicit financial or arms flows, or military and policing tactics and technologies and conducting relevant investigative research is required. Experience in drafting high quality analytical reports clearly and concisely is required. Experience in collaborating with national actors, including government ministry officials, police and army officers; human sources, NGOs or research institutes working in armed conflict investigations is required. Experience in international investigations or at international criminal tribunals is desirable. Experience in specialized analysis software and databases is desirable. Experience working on Myanmar or Myanmar-related matters is desirable. Experience of weapons, ammunition identification, damage and post-blast investigation in armed conflicts is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Potential interview questions
| How do you approach researching evidence related to weapons and their trade? | To understand your analytical skills and methodology in evidence gathering. | Outline a strategic approach, focusing on thoroughness and objectivity. |
| Can you summarize your experience in drafting analytical reports? | To gauge your writing ability and comprehension of complex topics. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Tell us about a time you collaborated with national actors in an investigation. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What specialized analysis software are you familiar with, and how have you used it? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience with international investigations. What challenges did you face? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you ensure the integrity of information in your research? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What do you believe are the most significant trends in the weapons trade today? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you detail a specific incident where you had to analyze weapons-related evidence? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |