War Crimes Researcher

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration, and passports.

Homeland Security Group’s (HSG) mission is to reduce homeland security risks to the UK’s people, prosperity, and freedoms. This includes risks from terrorism, state threats, economic crime and cyber-crime. We provide systems leadership across government and deliver strategic initiatives, working closely with operational partners, the Intelligence Agencies, and other external organisations to protect the UK.

The Special Cases Unit (SCU) is the immigration arm of HSG. It manages some of the most significant and high harm immigration, asylum and citizenship cases, including suspected terrorists, extremists, war criminals and individuals involved in organised crime.

In support of these functions, SCU works with security agencies, the Police, UK Visas & Immigration, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the National Crime Agency (NCA), as well as the Home Secretary and Ministerial offices. SCU is a fast-paced environment in which to work, where you will contribute to public safety, control of immigration and the national security of the UK.

On the War Crimes Team, we primarily manage Article 1F Refugee Convention exclusion cases and war crimes related immigration queries however, the scope and remit of the team has developed recently, and we are seeking a HEO War Crimes Researcher to join our growing team. The successful candidate will be part of a small, high performing team working to the SEO Senior Caseworker, Referrals and Research lead.

We are looking for an individual with an analytical mindset who thrives in a demanding environment. We are a small team with a shared, positive attitude and we invite applications from individuals who have experience in undertaking research on human rights or related issues and have an interest in ensuring that the UK is not a safe haven for war criminals. This is a new area of work for our team and the successful candidates will have the opportunity to help build capabilities in this area and play a role in developing and growing relationships with national and international partners with a view to enhance the team’s understanding of core international crimes (war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide).

Key responsibilities:

• Analysing and investigating developments in the field of core international crimes by monitoring a range of reputable sources covering the human rights situation in relevant countries and geographical areas.
• Producing bespoke country specific products with a focus on war crimes and crimes against humanity that will be used to assist in the identification of individuals and groups of interest, for preparation and completion of war crimes interviews and as a guiding tool for Article 1F decision making.
• Delivering presentations on complex research topics to a range of audiences, including 1F caseworkers and wider stakeholders to ensure individuals suspected of core international crimes are correctly identified and Article 1F exclusion can be pursed where applicable.
• Making effective sift decisions on a cohort of complex case referrals received from across the Home Office and wider government including the Security Services, NCA, FCDO and UK police forces primarily of individuals suspected of involvement in War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity.
• Working closely with the SEO Research and Referrals Lead to develop and maintain relationships with key national and international partners including academics, Non-Government Organisations and international tribunals to drive the team’s understanding of core international crimes.
• Attending and seeking out opportunities and events on contemporary issues in international humanitarian law to enable the team to stay up to date with the most recent research and evidence in the field.
• Working flexibly and contributing to other areas to support the wider efforts and priorities of Homeland Security as required, performing additional duties expected within the scope of the grade. Due to the nature of our work, it may be necessary to redeploy you to other critical roles, or priority work at your grade.

Line Management

The successful candidate may have line management responsibility in the future.

Travel

The successful candidate may be expected to travel to other work locations (within the UK and overseas) based on business need and this may include overnight stays. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

Working Pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working . This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 30 hours per week due to business requirements.

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