Expert- Forensic Photography (Roster)

Organization Profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. This is a complex global challenge that can be tackled effectively through cross-cutting programs that address a variety of difficult, interconnected issues.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other causes and to assist them in doing so. To learn more about ICMP click here.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is implementing a multi-year program to assist Ukraine authorities to develop a sustainable process of accounting for missing persons and to ensure the rights of families of the missing are secured. As part of this work the ICMP signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine. Under this MoC the ICMP aims to be provide assistance in the fields of forensic genetics and forensic examination by providing mutual assistance in expert activities, in particular technical and other means for conducting forensic examinations in order to identify missing/unidentified bodies and provide relevant forensic medical information for court purposes.

Background

ICMP is initiating a roster recruitment process to strengthen its capacity to respond proactively and in a timely manner to operational needs of the Ukraine Program. Due to the evolving operational environment and increased field activities across Ukraine, ICMP is establishing a roster of qualified Forensic Photographers who may be contacted for future employment opportunities and ad hoc assignments of different duration, depending on program needs, operational requirements and availability of positions.

Successful candidates included in the roster may be considered for temporary or longer-term assignments supporting ICMP activities in Ukraine. The duration and specific conditions of any engagement will vary depending on the nature of the assignment.

While inclusion in the roster does not guarantee recruitment, it positions successful candidates as a valuable resource to fill ICMP’s future vacancies and operational needs.

Purpose of the activity

The consultant will develop and deliver a practical short course in forensic photography for personnel involved in the examination, and identification of human remains. The training will focus on internationally recognized standards for documenting human remains, personal effects, and associated evidence to support accurate identification and legal investigations. The successful candidate will have substantial experience in forensic photography, preferably in medicolegal, DVI, conflict, or humanitarian contexts.

Main Duties and responsibilities

• Develop and deliver theoretical and practical training in forensic photography for up to 20 personnel involved in examination, and identification of human remains.
• Provide technical guidance on the photographic documentation of human remains (including whole body documentation, injuries, tattoos, dental, skeletal, decomposed, fragmentary), personal effects, and associated evidence in accordance with international standards.
• Provide technical guidance on the use of close-up (macro) photography, alternative lighting and 3D photogrammetry.
• Demonstrate best practices for forensic photography during mortuary examinations, and laboratory-based analyses.
• Assist in the development and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, and training materials relating to forensic photography.
• Advise on the selection, use, and maintenance, of photographic equipment and associated imaging technologies.
• Promote standardized photographic workflows, including image capture, file management, secure storage, metadata recording, and chain of custody.
• Provide recommendations to improve the quality, consistency, and admissibility of photographic evidence collected during forensic investigations.
  

Key skills/qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience as a forensic photographer in medicolegal, disaster victim identification (DVI), humanitarian, conflict, or human rights investigations.
• Experience delivering technical training to adult learners.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international standards and best practices for forensic photographic documentation.
• Experience photographing differentially preserved human remains in mortuary environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
• Previous international or post-conflict experience is highly desirable.
• Ability to work with interpreter/translators.

Duration

First planned training will be held in Ukraine between 25 to 27 November 2026. Should you wish to be considered for the first planned training please submit your application no later than 31 July 2026.

Key deliverables for the first planned training:

• Develop a comprehensive forensic photography training program, including presentations, practical exercises, and participant reference materials, tailored to the needs of Ukrainian forensic practitioners.
• Deliver theoretical and practical training workshops in forensic photography for up to 20 personnel involved in the examination, and identification of human remains.
• Assess current forensic photography practices and provide recommendations to strengthen the quality, consistency, and standardization of photographic documentation.
• Develop or review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, and checklists for forensic photography in accordance with internationally recognized standards and best practices.
• Provide practical mentoring and technical guidance to participants during training exercises and, where appropriate, during operational activities.
• Produce recommendations regarding photographic equipment, lighting, macro lenses, imaging workflows, image management, quality assurance, and secure storage of digital images.
• Submit a final consultancy report summarizing activities undertaken, participant outcomes, observations, recommendations, and opportunities for future capacity development.
• Provide all training materials, guidance documents, and other resources developed during the consultancy to ICMP in an editable electronic format.

The contractual details will be agreed with the successful candidate after the completion of the recruitment process.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must be submitted in English. ICMP will review applications on an ongoing basis and contact candidates directly regarding relevant opportunities.

Deadline for Applications: No deadline. Should you wish to be considered for the first deployment please submit your application no later than 31 July 2026.

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

ICMP does not request payment during any stage of the selection process.