Assistant Archaeologist – Turkish Speaking

Background

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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UNDP Projects Management Office (PMO) in Nicosia, Cyprus, seeks to contract on behalf of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) an Assistant Archaeologist to contribute to CMP’s mandate.

The principal mandate of the CMP 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:

• Investigation: Information is collected and analyzed in order to identify potential burial sites.
• Excavation: Potential burial sites are excavated, and human remains are recovered.
• Anthropological Analysis: The biological profile of the exhumed remains is established through scientific anthropological analysis.
• Genetic Testing and Matching: DNA analysis is conducted on exhumed remains and relatives of missing persons.
• Identification and Return of Remains: Formal identification of a missing person is concluded, the family is informed, remains are returned and psychological support is provided

The Assistant Archaeologists are based in the CMP GC Member’s Office. The incumbent reports to the Project Associate and works in a close contact with the CMP and UNDP teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Support in excavations on suspected burial sites, and support in record on findings.
• Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

(1) Support in carrying out excavations of suspected burial sites and exhumation of remains, and support in recording on findings focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Participate to excavations in suspected burial sites of missing persons, including excavations at wells with drilling method
• Conduct exhumation of remains found in sites.
• Contribute to the procedures for excavations in line with evolving scientific practice.
• Support in the preparation of sketches of excavation area and take photos of the area and any findings.
• Support in recording and elaborate on findings on the computer; provide inputs for excavation reports.
• Participate in scientific briefing to relatives of missing persons.
• Support in recording witness and informant’s information on sites.
• The consultant may be asked to work under hazardous conditions, including asbestos environment, provided with the equivalent protection, and under directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work.

(2) Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the office focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participation in the trainings for the staff related to the duties performed.

Competencies

Core Achieve Results:LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineThink Innovatively:LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously:LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackAdapt with Agility:LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentEngage and Partner:LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsEnable Diversity and Inclusion:LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic AreaNameDefinitionBusiness Direction & StrategyEffective Decision MakingAbility to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resourcesBusiness Direction & StrategySystem ThinkingAbility to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemBusiness DevelopmentKnowledge FacilitationAbility to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externallyBusiness DevelopmentCollective Intelligence DesignAbility to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutionsBusiness ManagementWorking with Evidence and DataAbility to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-makingCommunicationsWriting and editingAbility to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education
• Bachelor’s Level Degree in archaeology or equivalent would be desired, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Four years of graduate work experience in a relevant discipline is required with secondary education.
• One year of experience in relevant discipline is required with bachelor’s degree

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of Archaeological technics, including excavation methods, surveying and retrieving findings
• Basic knowledge of computer skills for online training and Microsoft office tools for the submission of reports

Desired Skills:

• Work experience in the application of archaeology toward individual identification in mass fatality settings or large-scale human identification projects is considered as an asset.
• Education in the application of archaeology toward individual identification in mass fatality settings or large-scale human identification projects is considered as an asset.
• Good understanding of the sensitive and bi-communal work of CMP is an asset.
• Demonstration of bi-communal actions, such as participation in bi-communal groups, events and activities is an asset

Required Languages:

• Working knowledge in English is required.
• Fluency in Turkish is required.

Other:

• Nationals or permanenty residents in Cyprus are eligible.
• The incumbent will travel in Cyprus and a valid driver’s license is a requirement.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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