Consultant on Syrian Criminal Law and Procedure

Result of Service

An authoritative expert assessment of selected aspects of Syrian criminal law and criminal procedure, including their interpretation and application in practice and relevant developments over time, supported by a comprehensive collection of primary and authoritative Syrian legal sources.

Work Location

The hiring office location is in Geneva, Switzerland. This contract is intended to be full-time and to be executed remotely.

Expected duration

This contract shall commence on 15 November 2026 or as soon as possible, and shall expire on the satisfactory completion of the services described above, but not later than 15 January 2027, unless sooner terminated under the terms of this contract.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is within the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General of the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM), located in Geneva, Switzerland. The consultant will report to the Principal Adviser.

The purpose of the consultancy is to obtain specialized expert assistance on criminal law and procedure in the Syrian Arab Republic, particularly as applied in the emerging transitional justice context (e.g., Fourth Criminal Court, etc.). The consultant will prepare an expert assessment of selected issues identified by the IIIM concerning applicable Syrian criminal law and procedure, relevant jurisprudence, and their interpretation and application in practice. The assessment will address relevant developments over time, including changes since December 2024 and, where useful to understanding current law and practice, contemporary criminal proceedings before Syrian courts. Where relevant, the consultant will also consider the relationship between Syrian criminal law and other sources and principles recognized within the Syrian legal system, including Islamic jurisprudence. The assignment will support the IIIM's work by providing specialised analysis of Syrian domestic criminal law and procedure relevant to the implementation of its mandate.

The consultant will be responsible for the follwing duties:

• Conduct targeted legal research and analysis on Syrian criminal law and criminal procedure, including relevant legislation and amendments, constitutional provisions, decrees and regulations, jurisprudence, and authoritative Syrian legal commentary as related to cases involving core international crimes (including treatment under Syrian domestic law of conduct that may constitute crimes under international law, and applicable sources or principles recognized within the Syrian legal system).
• Provide an expert assessment of selected aspects of Syrian substantive criminal law, including the classification and constituent elements of selected criminal offences; principles and forms of criminal responsibility; participation and complicity; grounds affecting or excluding criminal responsibility; applicable penalties and sentencing provisions, including the death penalty; limitation periods; and other matters identified by the IIIM.
• Assess selected aspects of Syrian criminal procedure and their current application particularly within the Fourth Criminal Court and Military Courts in Syria, including the initiation of criminal proceedings; investigation; arrest and detention; questioning and interrogation; the functions and powers of prosecutors and investigating judges; charging, indictment and referral; jurisdiction; evidentiary rules and practices; witness testimony and protective measures; victim/survivor participation and remedies; rights of suspects and accused persons; trial proceedings; proceedings in absentia; judgments; and review and appeal procedures.
• Examine relevant Syrian jurisprudence and judicial practice and assess how applicable provisions of substantive criminal law and criminal procedure have been interpreted and applied by Syrian courts. The consultant shall distinguish between the formal legal framework, judicial interpretation and established or reported practice, including identifying material differences between the applicable legal framework and its implementation in practice.
• Identify the principal Syrian legal authorities and other sources relied upon, including Arabic language sources.
• Consult with designated IIIM personnel regarding the questions under examination; present preliminary findings; respond to reasonable follow-up questions; and revise the consolidated written assessment or series of shorter research papers (to be discussed) in light of IIIM comments.

Qualifications/special skills

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in law, (criminal law, international law, human rights law, or international humanitarian law) or related field is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in criminal law, criminal procedure, legal practice, judicial or prosecutorial work, criminal defense, legal research or a related field is required.
• Substantial professional knowledge of Syrian criminal law and criminal procedure is required.
• Demonstrated experience researching and analysing Syrian criminal legislation, jurisprudence and other Arabic language Syrian legal sources is required.
• Demonstrated professional knowledge of the practical operation of Syrian criminal investigations and/or judicial proceedings, whether gained through professional practice, research, analysis, monitoring, documentation, or academic work is required.
• Experience preparing complex legal analyses or expert legal assessments is required.
• Computer literacy in standard software applications, including Microsoft Office applications, is required.
• Knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia), including its relationship to and potential relevance for Syrian domestic criminal law and judicial practice, is desirable.
• Membership in good standing of the Syrian Bar is desirable.
• Experience in international criminal law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, transitional justice and/or comparative criminal procedure is desirable.
• Experience researching or analysing the interaction between domestic criminal law and international law is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and knowledge of English is required for this position.

Additional Information

• Fulfilment of the responsibilities of this position may necessitate engagement with material and/or information that may be distressing.
• The United Nations contracts Consultants and Individual Contractors regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.