Org. Setting and Reporting
The Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP) was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 77/301, adopted on 29 June 2023. Please note that while the position is currently located in Geneva, Switzerland, the duty station may be subject to change.
Applicants should be aware that the position may be relocated to Damascus, Syria, or to another location relevant to the Institution’s operations.
By applying, candidates confirm their willingness to accept such a reassignment in accordance with UN regulations and rules, should such a decision be made.
The incumbent reports to the Human Rights Officer, Chief of Section, or his/her designated official.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Information Management Officer may be responsible for the following duties: - Contributes to the formulation of overall policies, procedures, objectives and guidelines affecting the development and maintenance of the Organization's non-current records and archives and delivery of reference services, archival description and systems management.
- Determines the technical objectives of search, investigative and analytical tasks, developing ways to implement them, and planning and directing implementing activities.
- Leads the analysis of technical data structures to direct staff on appropriate methods for information extraction while ensuring integrity and responding to complex queries from users.
- Facilitates the resolution of issues relating to search queries and providing expert advice in the identification of material of interest.
- Provides expert advice on complex system design of the Independent Institution's protocols and the related infrastructure.
- Leads the development and oversees the delivery of training programs on eDiscovery and its tools for both internal and external stakeholders.
- Conducts policy-oriented research and drafting on the applicability of information technology to records and archives using data from internal and external sources to: develop section policies, guidelines and procedures in keeping with technological developments, e.g., strategy for long-term preservation and retrievability of electronic records.
- Assesses and makes recommendations relating to the use of information systems from the recordkeeping perspective.
Provides reliable, up-to-date research and specifications for information management technology and innovations applications relevant to records management and archives.
- Provides advisory services Organization-wide on recordkeeping practices based on needs, business process, workflow, technical architecture and information resources analysis;
makes recommendations relating to recordkeeping practices, improvement and implementation strategies, resource requirements, file plans, retention schedules and procedures for transferring records to the section;
organizes and maintains UN records;
preserves and disposes, identifies and protects vital records;
and informs management policies and procedures, with an emphasis on technological applications.
- Monitors the progress of projects in client offices, ensures compliance with Section standards and guidelines and provides assistance in identifying consultants as required and associated project Terms of Reference.
- Evaluates and pilots emerging technologies (including software applications and associated hardware, e.g., document/correspondence management products, imaging and digitization systems and optical disk storage media) to develop strategies for integrating records created in diverse systems into an electronic recordkeeping system;
to plan and develop migration strategies for archival preservation of electronic records and to develop and maintain expertise necessary to advise Secretariat offices in the management of electronic records.
- Evaluates applications and cost-effectiveness of services in relation to technology options and prepares data and recommendations for decision-making.
- Provides technical services for the Section by evaluating hardware and software requirements, recommends purchases, tracks requisitions through Umoja and monitors expenditures;
oversees installation of hardware and liaises with
ITSD on the replacement of obsolete equipment;
overseeing Section LAN Administrators and ensures that technical problems are resolved expeditiously;
and oversees the implementation of the Section’s electronic recordkeeping system.
- Ensures the preservation of information assets with continuing value by appraising records according to their administrative, legal, financial and/or historical value, develops and implements appropriate retention schedules with records-originating offices, monitors compliance with the requirement to transfer inactive records to Headquarters, and, where applicable, identifies non-core records for transfer to commercial storage and manages commercial storage contracts.
- Ensures access to records with continuing value by managing the application of international cataloguing and indexing standards for intellectual control and retrieval;
advises internal and external users regarding the use of the Section’s holdings;
and assures the delivery of records and/or copies.
- Develops and implements policies and guidelines relating to the preservation of and access to digital archives by establishing metadata requirements;
retains schedules for incorporation into electronic recordkeeping systems;
transfers, maintains security protocols;
and selects standards for digitization of finding aids and records and their electronic dissemination.
- Manages information security by enforcing security-classification restrictions;
facilitates declassification reviews by liaising with records-originating offices;
and ensures the physical security and safety of the Organization’s records.
- Carries out managerial responsibilities at the unit level relating to compliance with administrative requirements, programme planning, policy and procedure recommendations, budgeting, human resources and facilities management.
- Develops client outreach strategy and programme and coordinates its implementation.
- Represents the Section, as required, in departmental offices and at working groups, task forces and other fora, advocating recordkeeping and/or archives perspectives and standards.
- Participates in the planning and organizing of training for Headquarters and mission staff and users with respect to utilization of reference services.
- Evaluates the performance of vendors and certifies invoices, as necessary.
- Guides, trains and supervises professional and general service staff in the various records information management functions.
- Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
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PROFESSIONALISM:Knowledge of information management, archival, record keeping and record disposition.
Knowledge of electronic data maintenance, including appraisal, conservation and migration management;
records preservation and description.
Proficiency in the use of eDiscovery tools and processes.
Ability to conduct research and provide recommendations on information management trends.
Ability to demonstrate conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills and conduct independent research and analysis, identifying and assessing issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations.
Shows pride in work and in achievements;
demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
remains calm in stressful situations.
Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
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PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
identifies priority activities and assignments;
adjusts priorities as required;
allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
uses time efficiently.
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TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS:Keeps abreast of available technology;
understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in archival, information science, information systems, social science or related field.
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.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available. Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in modern archives management, record keeping, library, information management or related area is required.
Experience in analyzing information using specialized e-discovery software platforms is required.
Experience in the entire lifecycle of information acquisition is required.
Experience with data privacy and security protocols is desirable.
Experience with database management and programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this job opening, English is required.
Arabic is desirable.
The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).
Required Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
EnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III Desirable Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
ArabicUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level I Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice
The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Dar