Sabine Schirm

Prosecution Advisor
UN Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict

Operating period: since June 2025

Previous positions:

• Several years of professional experience as a public prosecutor, including in the special department for sexual offences and the department for organised crime
• Seconded as Justice Advisor to UNMISS  
• Studied German-French law

What are your responsibilities in your current role as Prosecution Advisor?

I support the team across projects on issues relating to public prosecution work, including witness and victim protection (for example in Ukraine, the DRC, Sudan, South Sudan and Syria). I am also involved in establishing an international network for national prosecutors working on the prosecution of sexual offences in conflicts.

What motivates you to work at the UN?

The overarching goal is for humanity to work together on issues that, in my understanding, represent a just and ultimately liveable world. I also find it incredibly enriching to interact with people from all over the world on a daily basis, to reflect on shared values and to work together towards a better future for everyone. The latter in particular is an aspect that sometimes takes a back seat when working as a public prosecutor in the national service.

What has been a defining experience or highlight in your time as a ZIF seconded employee so far?

The encounters with national counterparts in South Sudan were particularly impressive. In particular, travelling with a mobile court for several weeks in remote parts of the country without running water in tents and exchanging views with South Sudanese people about their understanding of the law was an instructive experience on many levels.