INVESTIGATOR (Digital Forensic) TJO

GloJobs; Wien; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GloJobs is seeking a professional for the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (Vienna duty station). The role focuses on conducting digital investigations into human rights violations and verifying open-source digital content, with guidance from the Investigations Team Leader.

English is required, French is desirable. A minimum of five years in human rights work and two years in investigations is expected, with an advanced degree in data science, digital

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in data science, digital forensics, computer science, data privacy, conflict or security studies, international criminal law, or related fields.
• A first-level degree with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Conducts digital investigations on allegations of violations of international human rights, humanitarian, or criminal law.
• Collects and analyses information and evidence in electronic and digital format, including social networking sites.
• Performs verification of open source digital contents and records results.
• Supports analytical processes and preserves digital material per standards and protocols.
• Provides advice on the use of open source material in investigations and reports.

Skills

Digital investigations

Open source analysis

Forensic examination

Data analysis

Interviewing witnesses

Education

Master's degree in data science or digital forensics

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

GloJobs analysis estimates · not the employer's figures

Duty station Vienna, Austria

Formality check 1 / 5 — low

Formality measures wording patterns — e.g. unusually specific requirements or a short application window — that can suggest a vacancy may favour a pre-identified candidate. This one shows:

This position is based within the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (IICIU), located in Vienna, Austria, pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolutions 49/1 and 61/29. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Coordinator of the IICIU and the direct supervision of the Investigations Team Leader.

Responsibilities

• Conducts digital investigations on allegations of violations of international human rights, humanitarian, or criminal law in accordance with the IICIU’s mandate and OHCHR methodologies;
• Collects and analyses information and evidence in electronic and digital format, as well as social networking sites, and assists in determining credibility and reliability;
• Undertakes verification of open source digital contents (such as audio, images, videos, geo-location) including forensic examinations, and record results;
• Supports the analytical processes of investigations and preserving digital material in accordance with applicable standards and protocols for evidentiary material;
• Provides advice and support to the IICIU on the use of open source material in investigations, analysis and reports and support in understanding elements of digital evidence;
• Proposes the use of tools to analyse and present complex data sets in understandable ways for investigation and presentation purposes;
• Ensures that documentation and materials related to the investigations is handled, stored and preserved safely in accordance with the procedures established by the IICIU;
• Integrates gender perspectives into all areas of responsibility;
• Performs other duties as required.

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to investigations. Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Proficiency in software applications used in investigations. Ability to identify and analyze problems/issues and participate in their resolution. Proven ability to gather evidence and interview subjects and witnesses. Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to gather and analyze electronic evidence. Ability to draft/edit, a variety of written reports especially with respect to the preparation of complex reports of investigation. Comprehensive knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations including good knowledge of the conditions prevailing in areas where the United Nations conducts peacekeeping missions. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in data science, digital forensics, computer science, data Privacy, conflict or security studies, international criminal law, or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Formal qualifications and/or certifications in investigations and analysis are an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience carrying out investigations of violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required. Relevant working experience in or on the region is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Russian or Ukrainian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org [link removed] for details).

Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Language

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Russian UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026 and is subject to the availability of funds and/or extension of the mandate.

• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade.
• However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position.
• A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments.
• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.
• All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.
• The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
• The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
• Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.