Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities.
The Investigations Section of OAI conducts assessments and investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as fraud, theft and embezzlement, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, workplace harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority, retaliation on whistleblowers, or other acts or omissions in conflict with the general obligations that involve UNDP staff and other personnel.
OAI also investigates allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities committed by contractors, implementing partners and other third parties, deemed to be detrimental to UNDP. Where vendors are found to have engaged in proscribed practices (including, for example, corruption, collusion, and unethical conduct) OAI provides all relevant evidence to the UNDP Vendor Review Committee for consideration of sanctions against the vendors involved.
In addition, OAI may undertake proactive investigations in high-risk areas that are susceptible to fraud, corruption, and other wrongdoings.
OAI has the sole responsibility for the conduct of all investigations within UNDP. OAI conducts investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations endorsed by the 10th Conference of International Investigators, with the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct, and with the OAI Investigation Guidelines.
OAI maintains multi-language, toll-free reporting facilities (telephone hotline, web-based reporting facility, email, postal address, and other means as appropriate) that function around the clock to facilitate staff, management, and others to report any instances of fraud, corruption, or other wrongdoings. OAI will operate separate mechanisms for the reporting of alleged non-compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures.
The Investigations Specialist functionally reports to the Team Lead Arab States, Investigations Specialist, on investigation issues, under the overall supervision of the Investigations Manager.
Position Purpose
Under the supervision of the Investigations Specialist, Team Lead Arab States, the primary role of the Investigations Specialist is to conduct investigations into alleged wrongdoing that falls within OAI’s mandate, as outlined in ‘Organizational Context’ above.
The Investigations Specialist will be assigned to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in Country Office Iraq related with the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) Programme.
The primary role of the Investigations Specialist is to conduct investigations into allegations of wrongdoing falling within OAI jurisdiction.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Provision of Efficient Investigations management
- Plans and conducts investigations into allegations in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures and the OAI investigation guidelines.
- Plans investigations to ensure that all appropriate lines of inquiry are identified, and investigation resources are used effectively and efficiently to factually determine the issues relevant to an investigation.
- Identifies, collects, and analyses information, using software, internal data, and open-source information relevant to investigations, demonstrating an understanding of information security and confidentiality issues relevant to investigation.
- Collects, records, and handles evidence appropriately, ensuring chain of custody and demonstrating knowledge of handling considerations for different types of evidence.
- Uses specialist investigation services as and when appropriate (for example, handwriting analysis, document examination and computer forensics).
- Interviews witnesses showing appropriate communications skills, accurate recording, and verification of testimony through the use of interpreters as required.
- Interviews subjects/suspects in accordance with generally accepted best practice procedures (to obtain reliable information, while affording due process).
- Undertakes frequent, and at times extended, missions to UNDP offices worldwide, including areas with hazardous working conditions.
- Keeps the Investigation Section’s database and case files up to date on cases under investigation.
- Manages investigation teams.
- Proposes action to close matters where appropriate.
- Drafts investigation reports of a high standard, providing an objective and factual summary of the investigation, with soundly based conclusions and recommendations.
Key results expected:
- Solid substantive support in servicing OAI.
- Significant decisions are made in assessing referrals for investigation.
- Completing investigative tasks.
Ensure Efficient Client Services
- Liaises with the Office of Legal Services (OLS), the Ethics Office, the Procurement Support Office, the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit, and other relevant offices in UNDP.
- Liaises with the investigation sections of other international organizations and with national anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Other tasks that may be required
- Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI.
- Assesses the potential for fraud and corruption in UNDP offices and operations.
- Contributes to risk assessment planning.
- Participates in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan.
- Keeps him/herself abreast of the jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).
- Performs other assignments or tasks as determined by the Deputy Director and/or the Investigations Manager.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results: - Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively:
- Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Learn Continuously:
- Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility:
- Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
Act with Determination:
- Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
Engage and Partner:
- Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
- Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Cross-Functional & Technical:
Audit & Investigation: Investigation - Investigation management and investigative techniques
- The ability to manage an investigation, choose avenues of inquiry and apply different techniques during an investigation, including investigative interviewing; seizure of documentary and electronic evidence; identification, collection, review and analysis of all types of evidence, including project, procurement and commercial business documentation and electronic communications; forensic analysis; verification site visits; open-source research
Audit & Investigation: Investigation - Collection and analysis of evidence
- Ability to extract and analyze all relevant types of evidence and be able to draw reasonable inferences and conclusions.
Audit & Investigation: Investigation - Investigative Interviewing
- Ability to conduct investigative interviews with all types of investigation participants, including witnesses and subjects, using an approach tailored to the interviewee and the investigation.
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making
- Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in investigations, management, finance, law, or related field is required. OR
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations.
- A combination of formal professional training from a national law enforcement or investigations academy or equivalent, with at least 2 years’ additional experience in conducting criminal and/or administrative investigations as an investigator is required.
- Formal professional training in a comprehensive range of investigation-related areas is an advantage.
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations or equivalent experiences desired.
- At least one year of experience working within an international investigation role is desirable.
Language:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Arabic is required.
- Knowledge of other UN official language is an advantage.
Disclaimer Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters.
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination.
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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