Job Title: Protection Officer
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 31 May 2008
DATE OF ISSUANCE: 01 Apr 2008
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
DUTY STATION: Arusha
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 08-LEG-ICTR-417772-R-ARUSHA
Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
Remuneration
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Witness and Victims Support Section, the incumbent shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the Protection Unit, coordinate and supervise the provision of adequate protection services during pre-trial, trial and post trial phases to witnesses and victims who are called by Prosecuting Lawyers and Defence Counsels and the Judges for the purpose of testimony before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and shall ensure their security and safety during their stay in Arusha. His/her major duties and responsibilities shall be as follows:
- To plan and ensure implementation of protective measures ordered by the Trial Chambers in favor of witnesses and coordinate security and safety support services to witnesses and victims to ensure the well-being and availability of witnesses/victims prior to, during and after their testimonies as well as the effective implementation of the protection programme so as to create a conducive environment for testimony. The incumbent shall:
- Ensure that Prosecution Lawyers and Defence Counsels provide all necessary information with respect to any threat or information that might jeopardize the security situation of witnesses who are called to testify, while they are filling the Personal Identification Proforma (Forms) pertaining to the particulars of their witnesses;
- Develop strategies, policies and procedures involving short term and long term plans for the protection of witnesses who have testified before the Tribunal and who fear a threat to their life, property or family and on how to deal with threat assessment and taking of preventive measures for the protection of witnesses;
- Conduct interviews of witnesses, Lawyers and Counsel with respect to the fears of the witnesses and threats against them reported to the Section. Initiate contact with the witnesses who are called so as to provide them with necessary information pertaining to the Protection programme;
- Review and identify the protection needs of witnesses before, during and after the testimony and determine the required action and measures to be taken and implemented by the Protection Unit in compliance with the protective measures ordered by the Trial Chambers and the Appeals Chamber;
- Contact and liaise with Prosecution Lawyers and Defence Counsels, witnesses, the ICTR Chief of Security and Safety Section, the national authorities of the law enforcement agencies, National Governmental Organizations (local and international) of the countries of residence of witnesses in order to seek assistance and provision of all necessary security measures and the establishment of appropriate protection mechanisms in the countries of residence and in Tanzania;
- Assist the Witness Support Officer in contacting officials of Member States where the witnesses reside, so as to seek their cooperation for the issuance of travel documents for those of them who do not possess valid travel documents and exit and re-entry authorizations to facilitate the travel from/to their countries of residence to and to/from Arusha;
- Make overall arrangements with officials of the host country in Tanzania to facilitate safe and unfettered entry to and exit from Tanzania for the purpose of testimony before the Tribunal and for the clearance of immigration and customs formalities at arrival and departure;
- Report on ongoing implementation of protective measures to the Chief of Section on a regular basis;
- Liaise and negotiate, on behalf of the Chief of Section, with high level government officials for matters relating to the implementation of the protection programme and ensure a steady follow up on official requests for assistance and cooperation addressed to the authorities of the host countries of Defence witnesses;
2. To oversee and conduct the redaction of court transcripts in both English and French so as to expunge all relevant information that can disclose the identity of witnesses before they are made public and take all measures to prevent the public and media from knowing the identity of Defence witnesses who are about to testify, who are testifying and who have completed their testimony;
3. To handle all matters relating to the assignment of Local Law enforcement Officers (national security officers) assigned to the Safe houses, close protection and escort duties as well as to develop an overall protection plan for movement and security of witnesses in consultation with the Security Sergeant/Security and Movement Coordinator;
4. To assist the Chief of Section in the design and adoption of the Section's overall protection programme for witnesses and advise the Chief of Section in substantive matters involving protection issues and in the adoption of the best security approaches and policy matters related to the protection of witnesses;
5. To represent, when and if necessary, the Chief of Section in discussions and review of witness protection matters raised by the Trial Chambers in camera or in public hearings.
6. To oversee the operations of the WVSS-D Sub-Office in Kigali, Rwanda, coordinate and supervise the protection activities of the Section in Rwanda and Tanzania by supervising the daily work of the Security Sergeant/Security and Movement Coordinator, who oversees the performance of all security officers, the Drivers and the national security officers assigned to the safe houses and providing guidance to the Officer-in-charge of the WVSS-D Sub-Office in Rwanda. This entails:
a) Planning and preparing duties rosters and activities schedules for the Protection Unit; Providing operational guidance for effective implementation of protection programme
b) Reviewing protection activities while in progress and upon completion
c) Proposing improvement measures and discussing any change in established procedures, policies and strategies in coping with the nature of activities to be conducted in view of special circumstances resulting from emergency situations affecting protection's operations of witnesses
d) Ensuring timely availability of witnesses before the Tribunal for hearing purposes
e) Overseeing basic intelligence information that might affect the safety and security of witnesses which is gathered by security officers and channeled to the Security Sergeant/Security and Movement Coordinator and the Officer-in-charge of the WVSS-D Sub-Office in Rwanda
f) Reviewing incoming correspondences relating to requests for protective measures, drafting of reply to these correspondences and proposing to the Chief of Section required measures for consideration and implementation
h) Maintaining regular contact with witnesses, Lawyers and Counsel for protection related matters
i) Establishing good communication procedure within the Protection Unit for the maintenance and respect of chain of command, team spirit, cohesion and effective teamwork
7. To develop methods for handling, recording, protecting and preserving highly confidential identification information and documents related to witnesses, maintain up-to-date and detailed computerized records on individual cases of witnesses and victims and ensure safekeeping of all of their particulars; Maintain at all times, strict confidentiality about any matters relating to the witnesses and victims; and prepare analytical reports on the protection services provided to the witnesses and victims.
8. To assist the Chief of Section in the production of materials for information of the witnesses and victims, organize briefings and conduct court familiarization session in order to prepare the witnesses for court appearance, provide witnesses and victims with information about the Tribunal and promote a better understanding of its aims and activities, the court proceedings, their role before the Chambers; and organize debriefing sessions for Defense witnesses in order to prepare them on how to deal and cope with protection issues during the post trial phase.
9. To provide regular reports upon completion of operations to the Chief of Section, any status, general and specific reports on particular facts, incidents and events that are worth bringing to the attention of the Chief of Section and perform any other duties as required such as drafting of memoranda, official correspondences and any other assignments required from the Protection Unit and the Section.
Competencies
Planning and organizing: Identifies priority activities and assignment; adjusts priorities as required. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; operates within the organisation's regulations ad rules.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programs and services and takes interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
Managing Performance: Good managerial and supervisory skills. Ability to monitor progress against milestones and deadlines.
Leadership: Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives.
Judgement/Decision making: Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and come up understand the problem quickly and derive practical solutions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced Degree or Diploma from Military Academy, Police Academy, or Army War College and other relevant courses in strategy, tactics, administration, management of human resources and security operations leading to high level qualification in the area of provision of security services and maintenance to very important personalities and special persons.
Work Experience
A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the area of Security Management at the national or international level with emphasis in Personnel Management with a minimum rank of Colonel. Experience in UN Missions, International Peacekeeping or Emergency missions in Africa is an asset. Experience in high level management of human resources, strategy planning and execution of security operations within National Security Agency or Organizations is highly desirable, and Experience in dealing with law enforcement agency in the African continent, particularly in the Great Lakes area is an added advantage.
Languages
Fluency in either English or French language is required.
Other Skills
Ability to think clearly,act logically and respond quickly and effectively to fast moving situations.
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