Archaeologist (6 positions)

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) six Archaeologists 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 Archaelogists are based in the CMP Greek Cypriot Member’s Office. The incumbents report 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, record on findings and briefing of relatives
• Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

(1) Carry out excavations of suspected burial sites and exhumation of remains, record on findings and briefing of relatives focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Participate to excavations in suspected burial sites of missing persons, including excavations at wells with drilling method.
2. Conduct exhumation of remains found in sites.
3. Support in the contribution to the procedures for excavations in line with evolving scientific practice.
4. Prepare sketches at excavation area and take photos of the area and any findings.
5. Record and elaborate on findings on the computer; provide inputs for excavation reports.
6. Participate in scientific briefing to relatives of missing persons.
7. Ensure safe and efficient use of excavating machinery and equipment.
8. Record witness and informant’s information on sites.
9. 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:

1. 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 deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking Ability 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 system

Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Development Collective Intelligence Design Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions

Business Management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Communications Writing and editin

Ability 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:

• Five years of graduate work experience in a relevant discipline would be required
• Alternatively, if in possession of Bachelor’s degree, two years of relevant experience would be required (in archaeology)

Required Skills:

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.

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:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Greek is required.

Other:

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

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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.

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