Full/Part time: Full-Time/Part-Time
Duration: 01 June (or earlier) to 31 December 2024 (subject to change) for up to a total of 90 business days (renewable, subject to performance and budget availability)
The Position:
The Investigations Consultant assists the OAIS Investigations Unit in addressing its overall caseload by conducting investigations into allegations of all types of wrongdoing and staff misconduct in UNFPA programmes and operations, including allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment (work/sexual) and abuse of authority, involving personnel or entities in a contractual relationship with UNFPA.
The purpose of this vacancy is to hire qualified investigations consultants.
Investigation Consultants will report directly to the Chiefs of the Investigations Unit, under the overall guidance of the Director, OAIS.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030.
OAIS is an operationally independent office at UNFPA and reports to the Executive Director of UNFPA. The Office is responsible for supporting the achievement of the objectives of UNFPA by contributing to the improvement of its operations, risk management and results through its internal audit, investigation, and advisory services. OAIS is composed of the Office of the Director, an Internal Audit Branch and an Investigations Unit. It is the sole office authorized to conduct, manage or authorize investigations at UNFPA.
The investigation team carries out investigations into allegations of wrongdoing and proscribed practices, including but not limited to allegations of fraud, harassment, abuse of authority, corruption, sexual misconduct and retaliation.
OAIS investigations follow the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations of the Conference of International Investigators. The purpose of an investigation is to examine and determine the veracity of allegations received and investigators must maintain objectivity, impartiality, fairness and integrity throughout the investigative process. All investigations are undertaken under conditions of strict confidentiality. OAIS investigations follow a victim centered approach in cases of sexual misconduct and, as applicable, follow the guidance set out in the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination Investigator’s Manual for the Investigation of Sexual Harassment Complaints in the UN.
OAIS is seeking consultants that deliver high impact and sustained investigation reports and results; we need consultants who are exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
Under the overall guidance of the Director, OAIS, and the direct supervision of the Investigations Unit Chiefs, the incumbent will either independently or as part of a team:
A. Key outcome: Investigations are planned, managed and conducted in a timely, effective and efficient manner.
• For OAIS ongoing cases assigned to the incumbent, conduct investigations with due respect for professional standards, in line with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations of the Conference of International Investigators as well as UNFPA policies and procedures, including conduct of relevant interviews and analysis of documentary and electronic evidence.
• Prepare investigative reports in a timely manner and other written outputs of the highest quality, presenting facts cross-referenced with underlying evidence, conclusions, and recommendations to enable UNFPA management decisions regarding disciplinary, administrative, or other corrective action.
• Communicate in a regular, effective, and timely manner with OAIS management and apprise them of the status of the investigations, issues affecting them, and the steps taken to address such issues.
• Perform, as needed, preliminary assessments of allegations of wrongdoing to determine their relevance and credibility, document the investigative process /outcome and make recommendations for next steps for review and decision by OAIS management.
Expected result: Timely, efficient, and effective delivery of assignments given, including issuance of high-quality investigation products.
B. Key outcome: Any other duties as assigned by the Director, OAIS, or the Investigations Unit Chiefs, performed.
• Assist the Investigations Unit Chiefs and the Director in addressing issues raised by clients and other stakeholders.
• Undertake, as needed, investigative activities for specific cases in support of the cases investigated by OAIS investigators, or as assigned specifically by the Investigations Unit Chiefs.
• Perform special reviews and other tasks assigned by the Director, OAIS.
Expected result: The Director of OAIS and Investigations Unit Chiefs receive timely and effective assistance in addressing day-to-day issues arising from investigative work and operations.
Expected travel:
The consultant is expected to travel on mission to the field, as necessary, to undertake assigned investigations or to participate in investigations as required. Travel related costs would be paid by UNFPA in line with travel policies.
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree in investigations, law, business administration, finance or other closely related fields. (A first level university degree with a combination of significant relevant education, professional certification(s), training and experience in the field of investigations may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree).
• Formal training and/or certification in law enforcement methodologies, an asset. Admission to the Bar or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), highly desirable.
Knowledge and Experience:
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience in criminal and/or administrative investigations, with a proven track record in planning and performing investigations (or part thereof), including experience as a case lead investigator.
• Proven ability to quickly and accurately analyze, assess and summarize investigation findings, observations and recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience in investigating white-collar crime and coordinating investigations; demonstrated experience in investigating sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as harassment (work/sexual) and abuse of authority.
• Good knowledge of UN policies, procedures and jurisprudence relevant to administrative investigations.
• Experience in conducting investigations in developing countries, highly desirable.
Languages:
• Fluency in English required, with proven ability to express well verbally and in writing.
• Good knowledge of other UN official languages (French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian), highly desirable.
• Spanish and Arabic speakers are especially encouraged to apply.
Required Competencies
Values:
• Exemplifying integrity;
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system;
• Embracing cultural diversity;
• Embracing change.
Functional Competencies:
• Excellent knowledge of investigation principles and their application;
• Excellent investigation interviewing skills;
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing, and ability to draft and edit clear and concise reports in English;
• Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given;
• Ability to plan work and manage conflicting priorities for self and others;
• Ability to handle sensitive relationships with tact, integrity and discretion;
• Ability to respond effectively to stress, situations of ambiguity, and difficult situations, as well as to manage conflicts, negotiate and resolve disagreements.
Core Competencies:
• Achieving results;
• Being accountable;
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen;
• Thinking analytically and strategically;
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships;
• Communicating for impact.
How to apply
An application letter which states the candidate's motivation to apply for this consultancy as well as a curriculum vitae/resume. All documents must be sent by e-mail with subject “Application OAIS/INV Consultant” to oais-consultants@unfpa.org by midnight on 22 March 2024 (EST).
Disclaimer
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline https://web2.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
