Investigations Specialist, Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS), New York, P-4 (2 Posts + Roster)

The Position:

The posts of Investigations Specialists are located in the Investigation Branch, which is part of the Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS). They will report directly to the Chief(s) of Investigation Branch, Office of Audit and Investigation Services (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. 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 of UNFPA and reports to the Organization’s Executive Director. It is responsible for supporting the achievement of UNFPA’s objectives by contributing to the improvement of the Organization’s operations, risk management, and results through its internal audit, investigation, and advisory services. OAIS solely performs, manages, or authorizes others to carry out these services.

OAIS performs its investigation work in accordance with the Oversight Policy, OAIS Charter, Policy and Procedures for Vendor Review and Sanctions, Policy and Procedures for Implementing Partner Review and Sanctions, other relevant policies and procedures as included in the UNFPA Policies and Procedures Manual, and the Guidelines for Investigations. The Investigation Branch conducts its work in conformance with the Principles and Guidelines for Investigation issued by the Conference of International Investigators.

OAIS is newly restructured and comprises the Office of the Director, a Quality Assurance, Policy, and Reporting Unit located in the Office of the Director, an Internal Audit Branch consisting of three units, and an Investigation Branch consisting of two Units. Each of the Units is headed by a Chief, all reporting directly to the Director, OAIS. The two advertised posts are located in the Investigation Branch.

The Investigations Specialists will conduct investigations into allegations of all types of wrongdoing, including fraud and other financial irregularities, sexual misconduct, harassment, abuse of authority, and other violations of UN standards of conduct, involving personnel or entities in a contractual relationship with UNFPA

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: 

• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations, with a proven record in planning and executing investigations, including as a case lead investigator.
• Demonstrated experience in investigating and coordinating investigations of: (a) white-collar crime; (b) fraud and other fraudulent activities; (c) proscribed practices; (d) sexual exploitation and abuse; (e) harassment (work/sexual); (f) abuse of authority; and (g) other forms of wrongdoing.
• Proven ability to conduct and lead complex investigations and to analyse, assess, and summarize investigation findings, observations, and recommendations quickly and accurately. 
• Knowledge international civil service law, as it relates to investigations, and UN policies, procedures, and jurisprudence relevant to administrative investigations is highly desirable. 
• Previous experience in the conduct of investigations with a UN or multilateral organization, highly desirable.
• Experience in conducting public sector investigations in developing countries, highly desirable.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required, with proven ability to express well verbally and in writing; Knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.