Consultant on Syrian Criminal Law and Procedure

About the role

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) is seeking a consultant to provide expert assistance on Syrian criminal law and procedure, particularly in the emerging transitional justice context. The consultant prepares an expert assessment of selected issues identified by the IIIM, covering applicable law, relevant jurisprudence and their interpretation and application in practice. The work is based in Geneva and is performed remotely.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct targeted legal research and analysis on Syrian criminal law and procedure, including legislation, constitutional provisions, decrees, regulations, jurisprudence and legal commentary on cases involving core international crimes.
• Assess substantive criminal law, such as offences, criminal responsibility, complicity, grounds excluding responsibility, penalties including the death penalty, limitation periods and sentencing.
• Assess criminal procedure, especially in the Fourth Criminal Court and Military Courts, covering investigation, arrest and detention, prosecution powers, charging, evidence, witness protection, victim participation, trial and appeals.
• Analyse Syrian jurisprudence and judicial practice, distinguishing the legal framework from judicial interpretation and reported practice.
• Identify principal Syrian legal authorities and sources, including Arabic-language sources, and consult with IIIM personnel on the draft assessment.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in law (criminal, international, human rights or international humanitarian law) or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in criminal law, procedure, legal practice, judicial or prosecutorial work, criminal defence, legal research or a related field.
• Substantial knowledge of Syrian criminal law and procedure, and experience researching and analysing Syrian legislation, jurisprudence and Arabic-language sources.
• Experience preparing complex legal analyses or expert assessments.
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and knowledge of English; English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat.

Required skills

• Computer literacy in standard software, including Microsoft Office.
• Desirable: knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia), membership in good standing of the Syrian Bar, and experience in international criminal law, transitional justice or comparative criminal procedure.

The contract starts on 15 November 2026 or as soon as possible and ends on completion of the services, no later than 15 January 2027. The UN does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.