Overview
The Military Affairs Officer/Analyst will collect and analyze information to assist the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) on security sector and military-related matters relevant for determining violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL). The role advises the Head of Mission on military and security sector issues.
Key Responsibilities
- Collects and analyses information to assist the HRMMU on the overall understanding of the security sector and military-related matters relevant for determining violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) in Ukraine after 24 February 2022 and advises the Head of Mission.
- Advises the Head of Mission on all other military and security sector-related matters and methods of warfare including issues related to ballistics, weapons, military vehicles and aircraft.
- Develops working relationships with relevant security bodies, UN entities and other relevant interlocutors.
- Gathers and analyses information, and produces mapping and analysis of military structure, order of battles, troop movements, de facto and de jure command responsibility, relationship between security institutions, and other State institutions.
- Collects and analyses information related to violations of IHL, and produces contextual mapping and analysis related to methods of warfare (including the use of specific weapons, including prohibited weapons).
- Gathers and analyses information to identify perpetrators of IHL violations, including the units/troops (state and non-state) and respective commanders deployed during key events.
- Participates in HRMMU field missions to support accurate documentation of IHL and IHRL violations that were perpetrated in the context of hostilities.
- Analyzes available video and photo footage of impacts of explosive weapons with wide area effects (artillery, tanks, MLRS, cruise and ballistic missiles, and air bombs), and of mines and explosive remnants of war to determine the weapons (including military vehicles and aircrafts, including UAVs) and direction of fire (ballistic) that are relevant to determining if IHL violations have taken place or that caused civilian casualties, and damages to or destruction of civilian objects.
- Assists in the analysis of alleged escalation of force incidents which resulted in civilian casualties.
- Assists in establishing positions, ranks and affiliations of alleged perpetrators from the armed forces, armed groups and law enforcement bodies based on the information available from HRMMU interviews with victims and witnesses of IHRL and IHL violations, and from open sources.
- Provides internal analysis and briefings on military and security sector issues and compliance of armed forces with IHL and provides material for the HRMMU’s reports, updates and talking points.
- Contributes to HRMMU’s technical assistance aimed at better protection of civilians and better IHL compliance by armed actors.
- Ensures that a gender perspective is integrated in all areas of responsibility.
- Performs other duties as required.
Required Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of military service or experience conducting analysis and monitoring of military forces and strategy is required. Experience in applying human rights and international humanitarian law, including in the context of security operations is desirable. Experience drafting military doctrine or conducting military trainings is desirable. Experience within the United Nations Common System or similar international or regional organization-led peace operations is desirable. Experience working on child protection, gender and protection of civilians' issues is desirable.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in military law, security management, security studies, military studies or related disciplines. 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. A graduate degree from a National Command and Staff College or National War/Defense College in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may also be considered in lieu of the first/advance level university degree. Additional studies in human rights or international humanitarian law (IHL) are desirable.
