Archival Research Coordinator. CMP, Nicosia. Open until 25 April 2018

Archival Research Coordinator
Location :	Nicosia, CYPRUS
Application Deadline :	25-Apr-18 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English   French
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	02-Jul-2018
Duration of Initial Contract :	1 year

Background

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: (Phase I) Investigative Phase: related to the compiling of information on possible burial sites of missing persons. (Phase II) Archaeological Phase: related to the exhumation of the remains of missing persons, (Phase III) Anthropological Phase: related to the analyses of the recovered remains in the anthropological laboratory, (Phase IV) Genetic Phase: related to the comparison of blood samples collected from the victims’ families, with samples from the remains, in order to identify them (Phase V) Return of Remains: within the framework of reconciliation programme, aiming at helping families of both communities cope with the difficult task of healing and coming to terms with their loss. Faced with increasing difficulties to locate new burial sites, the CMP urgently needs to broaden efforts to obtain information that may lead to the discovery of burial sites. This includes the review of archival material of international organisations, state actors and domestic authorities that were present during the events of 1963/4 and 1974. To this end, the CMP is creating an archival research team. The UNDP Programme Management Office in Nicosia, Cyprus, seeks to contract on behalf of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) an information management professional with extensive experience in archival research, hereinafter referred as the “Archival Research Coordinator” (ARC), to coordinate the work of this team.  The primary role of the ARC is to lead a team of two Cypriot researchers in an effort to access, analyse and manage information from relevant archives. While some of these archives are publicly accessible, others, including certain UN archives, are not. The ARC reports to the Committee of Missing Persons in Cyprus, 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). Considering the sensitive nature of the material under review, with regards to the review of classified UN Archives, the ARC reports exclusively to the Third Member of the CMP. On all other matters the ARC reports to the three CMP Members.

Duties and Responsibilities

The ARC will lead a team of two Cypriot CMP researchers and oversee and coordinate the process of archival research and information management. The team will be responsible to collect information from relevant archives, analyse and share this information with CMP Members and their offices, through the CMP’s information management system.  He/she will personally conduct research in the not publicly accessible UN archives under direct supervision by the Third Member.  For all other tasks, the ARC will coordinate closely with all three CMP Members. The ARC will lead efforts by the research team to: Continue an inventory and volume estimates of relevant archives (including UN archives in Nicosia, and relevant UN troop and police contributing countries). Review the existing research plan with time-lines and the existing research and analysis methodology. Conduct on-location research, inter alia, at UN archives in Cyprus, UNHQ New York, Austrian archives in Vienna among others. With regards to publicly accessible archives, research will be carried out with the two Cypriot researchers. In the case of restricted archives research will be carried out without the Cypriot researchers, unless an agreement is reached to indicate otherwise.    Use the existing database system to catalogue all relevant documents/information. Integrate information obtained from research with existing investigative files/databases held by the CMP and its respective offices, as per agreed practices with the CMP Investigation Coordinators. Liaise with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot investigative teams to ensure effective exchange of information and prioritization of cases and inclusion of information found on burial sites into excavation schedule. Regularly report to and brief the CMP Members on research progress. Prepare and submit reports to the Third Member on the findings from the classified UN archives Perform other duties as assigned by the three CMP Members. He or she will liaise closely with all relevant CMP counterparts, including CMP Members, their Assistants and the CMP investigative teams. The research carried out by the team deals with politically and emotionally sensitive matters and will require a high degree of experience and sensitivity in dealing with such information in a post-conflict environment. The ARC is expected to spend  some time conducting archival research abroad.    Expected deliverables: Monthly reports to the CMP Members on relevant findings and progress of archival research. Reports to the Third Member on findings from the classified UN Archives. A searchable database populated with relevant archival documents and/or information. Timely provision of relevant information obtained through archival research to CMP Members and their investigative teams.

Competencies

Ability to operate, and provide good judgment, in a politically sensitive post-conflict environment. 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Minimum academic credentials include a Master’s Degree or equivalent (e.g., MA, MS, and MSc) in archive research, library science, history, political science or related social sciences with a research focus. Experience: 5 years of experience, post degree in information management and research and related disciplines Applicants holding an advanced graduate degree (PhD) in a relevant field should have 3 years of experience, post degree.  Proven experience in team leadership and management. Previous experience working in a post-conflict setting, in a missing persons or other humanitarian context is an asset. Language Requirements: Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of French or German is required. Submission of Applications, Evaluation and Payment Terms 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; CV or Personal History (P11): Applicants are required to submit it together with the online application; 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 review (who will score at least 21 points) will be invited for an interview. Interview: 40 points  Experience in archival research and information management (10 points); Experience in team leadership and management (10 pints); Experience in working in a post conflict setting, missing persons and/or humanitarian context (10 points); Language skills (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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.