Ukraine: Investigator (CAAC) - GRC Child Justice Team

About Us: 

Global Rights Compliance (GRC) is an international human rights law foundation specializing in international humanitarian & criminal law.

GRC has been present in Ukraine since 2015 where we work with the OPG, law enforcement agencies, and CSOs to support the documentation and investigation of international crimes to bring about accountability. GRC co-leads the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA), initiated by the US, the EU, and the UK to aid Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. Special expert groups known as Mobile Justice Teams (MJTs) are composed of legal specialists who support the Prosecutor General's Office and regional prosecutor's offices, working closely with investigators and prosecutors to provide support in prosecuting international crimes, advising & assisting in the documentation, investigation, case building, and prosecution.

MJTs operate throughout Ukraine in areas of interest to the OPG and have acquired an intimate knowledge of the conflict operating environment, and built trust-based relationships with all criminal justice system actors, relevant governmental bodies, CSOs, and international partners offering a strong blend of technical expertise and knowledge of the Ukraine context/conflict.

To read more about GRC activities in Ukraine, please follow the link here.

We are seeking an Investigator on Crimes Against and Affecting Children (CAAC) to join our Ukraine team. The investigator will be involved in the development, refinement, and amendment of methodologies, protocols, and tools for the conduct of child-sensitive trauma-informed investigations and prosecutions for child-sensitive investigations; participating in GRC field missions and prior preparations, during and after the mission; and providing ongoing training and mentorship. Alongside other CJT members, the Investigator will be responsible for establishing and maintaining local contacts, relationships, situational awareness, and opportunities for cooperation with investigative and prosecution agencies working on CAAC, as well as other relevant national and international stakeholders.

Duty Station: Kyiv, Ukraine

Contract Duration: 18 months contract

Full / Part Time: Full Time

The Role: 

• Introduce, represent & promote CAAC specialization in the engagement with investigative agencies.
• Provide expert advice, guidance, mentoring, and trainingon the integration of child-sensitive trauma-informed approach into investigations and prosecutions of CAAC.
• Identify, and forge working relationships with key persons and units within the investigative and prosecutorial agencies working on CAAC.
• Assist with MJT activities aimed at improving CAAC investigative capability.
• Promote the change of mindset required amongst investigators in order to integrate a child-sensitive approach into an ‘international crimes’ context.
• Encourage moves to go beyond individual crimes and direct perpetrators in relation to CAAC.
• Identify and promote ‘good practice’ on CAAC investigations and share with other MJTs when appropriate.
• Assist in the integration of a child-sensitive trauma-informed approach across GRC strategies, plans, methodologies, tools, and projects**.**
• Build and maintain an awareness of investigative capabilities and shortcomings and develop/deliver training/mentoring provisions to rectify these issues.
• Identify opportunities or requirements on CAAC investigations for MJTs, external partners/donors' involvement in capability building, and facilitate cooperation with them as appropriate.
• Comply with GRC Child Justice Team guidance and adhere to MJT procedures.
• Record and report Child Justice Team activities and achievements in line with MJT procedures.
• Assist and develop Child Justice Team members as required.

Your Background: 

• 7 plus years of cumulative investigative experience in CAAC, child rights violations, and integration of child-sensitive approaches into international core crimes, including child-friendly justice frameworks.
• Experience in planning and leading large and complex investigations.
• Demonstrated experience and practice in incorporating child-sensitive and trauma-informed practices into investigations.
• Ability to work effectively with the whole range of criminal justice actors.
• Flexible and creative; able to work in an unstructured, changeable & fast-moving environment.
• A self starter, someone who can be given a ‘desired outcome’ and can identify the actions required to reach it.
• Resilient, self-reliant, and able to work in difficult and sensitive conditions.
• Administratively competent, punctual, and organized.
• Practical experience in working with high volumes of sensitive material and with the requisite skills for collating, sharing, and working with such material.
• Familiarity with military structures, weaponry, jargon, etc is desirable.
• HEAT training is desirable.
• Experience working in Ukraine is desirable.
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal skills.

How to Apply: 

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the position (in English) to jobs@globalrightscompliance.co.uk by 31 July 2024, indicating the position you are applying for in the email subject.