Duration: 06 months with possibility for renewal (subject to performance and budget availability)
Full/Part time: Full-Time/Part-Time
The Position:
The purpose of this vacancy is to establish a roster of qualified candidates for inclusion in the OAIS junior consultant roster. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract.
The Junior Investigations Consultant assists the OAIS Investigations Branch by providing operational and investigative support to the OAIS Director, Chiefs, Investigations Specialists, and Investigations Analysts.
The Junior consultant is expected to support the Lead investigators in 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.
Junior Investigation Consultants will report directly to the Investigations Specialists; Chief, Investigations Unit 1; and Chief, Investigations Unit 2, 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 Investigation Branch, composed of two Investigations Units. It is the sole office authorized to conduct, manage or authorize investigations at UNFPA.
The investigations team is comprised of two Investigation Unit Chiefs, five investigators (at present), two Investigations Analysts, a Head of Intake and Reporting, and an Investigation Assistant, augmented with multiple investigation consultants. The investigation team carries out investigations into allegations of proscribed practices, including but not limited to allegations of fraud, harassment, prohibited conduct, abusive or authority, corruption, sexual misconduct and retaliation.
OAIS is seeking junior investigation consultants who support high impact and sustained investigation results; we need consultants who are transparent, who provide exceptional support 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 incumbents will, as part of a team:
A. Key outcome: The planning, management and conduct of investigations are supported in a timely, effective and efficient manner.
• With due respect for professional standards and UNFPA policies and procedures, and under the supervision of assigned Lead investigators, the incumbent supports the conduct of investigations including online research, entering intake and complaint related data into OAIS’s case management system, review of documentary and electronic evidence, review of interview transcripts, organization and logging of documentary evidence, and electronic file keeping.
• Under the supervision of assigned lead investigators, prepare and draft high quality investigative work products (investigation reports, case closure notes, memorandums, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Perform, as needed, preliminary assessments of allegations of wrongdoing to determine their relevance and credibility, cross-referencing with existing cases, document the 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: Performance of other duties as assigned by the Director, OAIS, the Investigation Unit Chiefs and/or Investigation Specialists.
• Undertake, research activities for specific areas of interest to the Investigative Branch, notably in relation to sexual misconduct, corruption, abuse of authority, fraud, prohibited conduct, and product diversion as well as assist in the update of investigative templates.
• Input historical and current investigations-related data into OAIS’ case management system (CMS) and assist in the reconciliation of data between the case files and the CMS.
• Compile and incorporate jurisprudence of the UNDT/UNAT.
• Assist the Investigation Branch Chiefs, the Director OAIS, and the Head of Intake and Reporting, in addressing issues raised by clients and other stakeholders.
• Perform special reviews and other tasks assigned by OAIS Management.
Expected result:
Deliver timely and effective assistance in addressing day-to-day issues arising from investigative work and operations to the Director of OAIS, Chiefs of Investigations Units, and Investigations Specialists.
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, highly desirable. Admission to the Bar or Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), desirable.
Knowledge and Experience:
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience in criminal and/or administrative investigations.
• Ability to quickly and accurately research, analyze, assess and summarize findings and observations.
• Experience in investigating white-collar crime and supporting investigations, and/or supporting investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as harassment (work/sexual) and abuse of authority.
• Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and jurisprudence relevant to administrative investigations, desirable.
Languages:
• Fluency in English required, with proven ability to express well verbally and in writing.
• Good knowledge of one other UN official language (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:
Please send your application and a short letter of motivation with “OAIS Junior Consultancy” on the subject line and email the documents to DirectorOAIS@UNFPA.org, by 15 October 2024.
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.
