Investigations Specialist, Investigation Branch, Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS), New York, P-3 (2 Positions)

The Position:

The Investigations Specialist conducts independent 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.

You will report directly to the Chief, Investigations Unit 1 and Chief, Investigations Unit 2.  

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. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

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), three Investigation Analysts and an investigation assistant, augmented with several investigation consultants. The investigation team carries out investigations into allegations of proscribed practices, including but not limited to allegations of fraud, harassment, abusive or authority, corruption, sexual misconduct and retaliation. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in law, criminology or 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, highly desirable.
• Experience in an International Organization (UN system or multilateral context) highly desirable.
• 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.