Crime Scene Support - Colombia

Job Description

About PADF
The mission of the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is to create a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger, healthier, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For nearly 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

Project

Provision of Investigation and Prosecutorial expertise to the Attorney General’s Office in Colombia regarding the investigation of crimes of threats and murder of human rights defenders

Background Crime Scene Support

PADF seeks qualified expertise from subject matter experts (SMEs) in the area of Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) for a project focusing on strengthening Colombia`s ability to investigate and prosecute murders and threats of human rights defenders and social leaders. This proposed intervention addresses the need in Colombia to: i) provide CSI training relating the identification and recovery of DNA evidence at crime scenes; ii) provide CSI training relating to the identification, recovery and examination of ballistic evidence at crime scenes; iii) provide CSI training relating to the identification and recovery of fingerprint evidence at crime scenes; and iv) provide CSI orientation exercises to prosecutors managing murder and threats cases.

Crime Scene Support Position Summary

PADF is looking for subject matter experts to conduct in-country consultancies for a projected program start date of October 2021 for a period of 9 weeks with potential for a further 6 weeks in 2021.

Consultant Objectives:

Consultants will be required to deliver the following project objectives:

Objective 1: Develop and deliver a two week in person refresher course for Colombian CSI`s with particular emphasis on DNA, ballistic and fingerprint evidence recovery techniques.

Objective 2: Develop and deliver a 3 to 4 day in person basic training course for criminal investigators involved in assisting in crime scene management and evidence recovery.

Objective 3: Develop and deliver a one day CSI basic orientation training course for prosecutors involved in managing crimes of murder and threats to human rights defenders.

Overall Responsibilities

Notwithstanding that specific terms of reference will be discussed with selected consultants, in general terms, the main tasks to be performed relate to:

• Provide training content, classes, mock crime scene field activities, CSI management protocols and CSI guides with all written materials, in Spanish, in advance of the deployment to Colombia.
• Participate in VTC with Colombian Attorney General`s Office and PADF in advance of field deployment to determine logistical and administrative requirements.
• Identify materials and equipment required for undertaking field training exercises including specifics on CSI consumable products.
• Identify with PADF and Colombian Attorney General`s Office, candidates suitable to receive additional capacity building to become certified CSI trainers.
• Provide on conclusion of each training event a summary of the regional CSI capabilities in the Colombia Attorney General`s Office including an initial summary of laboratory capacity to manage an anticipated increase in ballistic, fingerprint and DNA samples submitted for examination.

Personal Characteristics:

• Self-confident/Resilient – Measured confidence to take on demanding work or put forward views when they may be challenged. Stays calm in a crisis, particularly when there are divergent interest from several stakeholders. Handles competing demands. Overcomes setbacks. Welcomes and learns from criticism.
• Results/Quality Oriented – Sets high but achievable standards for self and others. Seeks opportunities to improve process and outcomes. Constantly reviews performance to identify areas to develop.
• Flexible/Adaptable – Has actively sought to learn new things on own initiative. Has responded positively to change and adapted to new situations quickly. Able to take on a diverse range of tasks equally effectively.

Competencies:

• Analysis/Problem Solving – Able to identify and separate out the key components of problems and situations. Able to manipulate and interpret information from a range of sources, to spot patterns and trends in information and to deduce cause and effect from this. Can generate a range of creative solutions, evaluate them and choose the most appropriate option.
• Planning and organizing – Able to achieve results in a quality, timely, and cost-effective way. Sees priorities, plans the efficient use of resources, and monitors progress against objectives. Anticipates crucial stages in projects. Formulates alternative means of achieving objectives. Responds effectively to unforeseen events.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness – Able to influence the views and behavior of others through persuasion and encouragement. Manages conflict or other sensitive issues tactfully and effectively. Able to adapt behavior to a wide range of people.
• Communication – Able to communicate information and ideas clearly and articulately both in oral and written form both to experts and non-experts. Uses appropriate language, style and methods depending on audience and the purpose of communication. Able to convey complex information clearly. Anticipates the information that others will need.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years certified technical experience in the examination and management of crime scenes for a recognized national law enforcement agency.
• International experience in delivery of crime scene training is required. Experience in Latin America countries is preferred.
• Experience designing adult learning courses and curriculum strongly preferred.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects strongly preferred.
• Experience working as a consultant with a program funded by government agencies would be an advantage.
• Ability to write about general and specific crime scene forensic issues clearly and concisely in English, to express complex ideas in a clear and logical and highly professional way.

About the Organization

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger—more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For nearly 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.