Cyprus: Consultant - Identification Coordinator

Feb 1, 2016 | UNDP
View Original

The principal mandate of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus is to establish the fate of the people that went missing as a consequence of the tragic events of 1963-1964 and 1974 and to provide answers to anguished families.  One important aspect of this work is to exhume, identify and return remains of missing persons.  This process enables the relatives of the victims to recover the remains of their loved ones, arrange for a proper burial and provide closure to a long period of anguish and uncertainty, thereby promoting a process of reconciliation, healing and dialogue between both communities. This project also aims to strengthen the capacity for civil society to engage in sustained cooperation and reconciliation, through the important participation of bi-communal scientific teams in all stages of the process. This bi-communal cooperation will strengthen civic participation toward an issue that is critical for the healing of old wounds, and will sustain partnerships of cooperation and trust between both sides.

The CMP Project includes the following phases:

  • Archaeological Phase (Phase I) related to the exhumation of the remains of missing persons; 
  • Anthropological Phase (Phase II) related to the analysis of the recovered remains at the CMP Anthropological Laboratory; 
  • Genetic Phase (Phase III) related to the DNA analyses; and 
  • Identification and Return of Remains (Phase IV) related to the reconciliation of all pertinent information obtained in the previous phases and to the establishment of a formal identification. This phase includes the return of the identified remains to their relatives and the provision of psycho-social support to help the families cope with the difficult task of coming to terms with their loss.

The United Nations Development Programme Partnership For the Future (UNDP PFF) in Nicosia, Cyprus, seeks to contract on behalf of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) a professional forensic scientist with experience in the identification of human skeletal remains (hereafter referred to as Identification Coordinator or IC), to coordinate the interaction among the various stakeholders involved in the CMP identification processes.  The primary role of the IC is to coordinate the interaction between the CMP Anthropological Laboratory (CAL), the contracted Genetic Laboratory (GL) and other CMP teams, in order to facilitate the CMP Project on the Exhumation, Identification and Return of Remains of Missing Individuals.

The IC reports to the CMP, a 3-Member Committee whose Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot Members are appointed by the leader of their respective community and a United Nations (Third) Member, selected by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.  For additional information visit www.cmp-cyprus.org.

Duties and Responsibilities

The IC coordinates the interaction between the CMP investigators, archaeologists, anthropologists and geneticists, as well as the contracted Genetic Laboratory (hereafter referred to collectively as “Parties” or singularly as “Party”).

The IC is responsible for the Reconciliation Meetings where all relevant available information is compared and evaluated in order to (a) reach a formal identification, or (b) determine further steps required to achieve an identification.  The IC plays an important role in maintaining impartiality and independency from each of the above-mentioned Parties.

The IC also provides and/or accommodates training for the bi-communal teams of CMP scientists, if specifically requested by any of these teams.  Training, for example, may concern pertinent scientific developments or practices in other settings especially with regard to more complex sites.

The IC reports to the CMP Members and coordinates the interaction of the scientific teams during the identification operations in all phases of the CMP Project. The IC should operate with full transparency with respect to all the scientific teams and the Scientific Advisors involved in the project.

Responsibilities for the IC:

  • Organizes Reconciliation Meetings with the purpose of reaching formal identifications.
  • Specifically, the IC:
    • Schedules and chairs the Reconciliation Meetings between all pertinent Parties;
    • Gathers all relevant information and analytical findings from each Party, to include the CMP investigators, archaeologists, anthropologists, geneticists and GL;
    • Critically evaluates and discusses all available evidence with all Parties involved during the Reconciliation Meetings;
    • Interprets and reconciles all pertinent available lines of evidence based on internationally acceptable scientific standards;
    • Decides whether additional steps are required in order to reach a formal identification and provides guidance on how to accomplish these tasks; or reaches the conclusion that a formal identification can be established;
    • conclusion on the identification of the human remains;
    • Overviews the preparation of the integrated Identification Report prepared by the Parties involved;
    • Signs the Identification Report together with the Laboratory Coordinators; and
    • Notifies the respective Parties following established CMP protocols;
    • Arranges and coordinates daily and weekly meetings of the Team Leaders, and other staff as required, in order to discuss daily or longer term work plans as well as logistic or strategic planning and needs.
  • Serves as a point of contact with the contracted Genetic Laboratory.
  • Monitors the follow-up of cases before they reach the reconciliation phase.
  • Coordinates with the CAL Team Leaders for the dispatch of skeletal/dental samples for DNA analyses, receipt of DNA results and other related matters.
  • Coordinates with the CMP geneticists the follow-up on all cases undergoing genetic analyses.
  • Coordinates the overall interaction between the different parties involved in the CMP identification operations; maintains contact and facilitates dialogue among CMP investigators, psychologists, archaeologists, anthropologists, geneticists, IT and Database manager, in order to expedite identifications.
  • Discusses and oversees the caseload with all scientists at the CAL to ensure an efficient operational tempo within the framework of the priorities established by the CMP Members.
  • Updates the CMP database with all the relevant information regarding identifications and DNA results.
  • Interacts with the IT Manager and Database Manager / information officers in all matters that involve management of information, statistics, etc.
  • Coordinates with administrative parties (UNDP-PFF) the workload with the contracted Genetic Laboratory in terms of financial and administrative matters.
  • Identifies potential impediments and suggests operational solutions if and when necessary and in agreement with the relevant parties in order to expedite identification of remains, without affecting the quality assurance procedures already established by the local and foreign laboratories.
  • Maintains the scientific integrity of the identification processes, and advises the CMP Members on these issues.
  • Provides consultation to the CAL management if need arises.
  • Provides training to the CMP teams if need arises.
  • Attends regular meetings with the CMP Members.
  • Prepares and submits reports/updates as requested by the CMP Members.

It is essential that the Identification Coordinator works in a cooperative and constructive manner with the bi-communal teams of forensic scientists. Furthermore, the IC must abide by the relevant and current National & European Law on the Protection of Personal Data and the collaborative agreements between the CMP, CAL and GL.

Expected deliverables:

The Identification Coordinator will produce

  • Integrated Identification Reports together with the Laboratory Coordinators, and CMP anthropologists, archaeologists and geneticists;
  • Notifications for the CMP Members regarding the outcome of the Reconciliation Meetings, particularly in relation to identified cases;
  • Status reports presented during the weekly CMP meetings;
  • Regular reports on the interaction with the contracted Genetic Laboratory; and
  • Other monthly and ad hoc reports as requested by the CMP Members.

Any documentation that may be required for preparing these reports from the individual laboratories (CAL/GL) and/or other CMP teams must be discussed and mutually agreed in advance between the CMP Members, the IC and the individual laboratories and/or teams.

All documents shall be written in the English language, with original signed versions transmitted to the Office of the Third Member of the CMP for safekeeping due to the confidential nature of the documentation involved.

It is expected that the IC will interact directly with any Party germane to the attainment of the CMP mandate.

The Identification Coordinator will produce:

  • Integrated Identification Reports together with the Laboratory Coordinators, and CMP anthropologists, archaeologists and geneticists;
  • Notifications for the CMP Members regarding the outcome of the Reconciliation Meetings, particularly in relation to identified cases;
  • Status reports presented during the weekly CMP meetings;
  • Regular reports on the interaction with the contracted Genetic Laboratory; and
  • Other monthly and ad hoc reports as requested by the CMP Members.

Any documentation that may be required for preparing these reports from the individual laboratories (CAL/GL) and/or other CMP teams must be discussed and mutually agreed in advance between the CMP Members, the IC and the individual laboratories and/or teams.

All documents shall be written in the English language, with original signed versions transmitted to the Office of the Third Member of the CMP for safekeeping due to the confidential nature of the documentation involved.

It is expected that the IC will interact directly with any Party germane to the attainment of the CMP mandate.

Competencies

  • Demonstrate cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Have good management skills and experience in providing direction and support to the CMP staff;
  • Exhibit willingness to share knowledge and experience, as well as commitment to enhance the skills, knowledge, abilities and capabilities of the CMP staff when requested;
  • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Show strong leadership and self-management skills;
  • Focus on the results according to the CMP mandate;
  • Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Provide helpful feedback and advice to others;
  • Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of view; and
  • Solicit feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

    Minimum academic credentials include a Master’s Degree or equivalent (e.g., MA, MS, and MSc) in a discipline related to the CMP Project; and

    Professional education and/or experience in the application of genetics, anthropology, and archaeology toward individual identification in mass fatality settings or large scale human identification projects.

Experience:

    15 years of experience, post degree, in forensic sciences and missing persons identification projects;

    Applicants holding advanced graduate degrees (PhD and or MD) in a discipline related to the CMP project should have 10 years of experience, post degree, in forensic sciences and missing persons identification projects;

    In addition, the applicants should have proven experience in team leadership and management in a setting that dealt with the identification of victims of mass disaster and / or large scale human identification projects; and

    Previous experience working with local communities in a post-conflict setting is an asset.

Language: 

    Excellent knowledge of English.

Submission of Applications

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

    Motivation/Cover Letter: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;

    Personal History (P11): Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it together with the online application. The UNDP P11 Form can be downloaded from: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc 

    References: Contact details of 3 references;

     Financial Proposal: Applicants requested to submit financial proposal. Financial proposal will specify the daily fee in USD per working day (a day will be calculated as 8 hours) and shall cover all expenditures including fees, health insurance, vaccination, international (all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel) or local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence), cost of living and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services. Leave benefits (annual, sick, paternity, maternity) are not applicable to Individual Contractor and absent days including weekends and office holidays are not payable.

Evaluation / Selection Process

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

Technical Criteria (CV review and interviews) – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points

CV review: 30 points:

    Educational qualifications as defined in the ToR  (15 points);

    Experience as defined in the ToR (15 points).

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV desk review (who will score at least 21 points) will be invited for an interview.

Interview: 40 points

    Experience in forensic sciences and missing persons identification (10 points);

    Experience in team leadership and management in a setting that dealt with the identification of victims of mass disaster and / or large scale human identification projects (10 pints);

    Experience in working with local communities in a post-conflict setting (10 points);

    Knowledge of English (10 points).

Only those individual consultants who obtained at least 70% of points from the interview (28 out of 40) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

Financial Criteria - 30 % of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal.

Payment Term:

    Monthly lump-sum payable upon submission of the monthly time-sheet, the monthly report and approval of the UNDP.