Consultant: Fraud Expert Investigations, Office of Internal Audit and Investigations, 12 Months (Remote)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Health.

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for providing internal audit and investigation services to UNICEF. OIAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls.

The investigation service of OIAI is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as gross mismanagement, fraud, corruption, retaliation against whistleblowers, workplace harassment, abuse of authority, violation or willful disregard of UNICEF regulations, rules and administrative instructions that involve UNICEF staff and relevant non–staff personnel. The investigation service is also tasked with investigating all allegations of financial irregularities committed to the detriment of UNICEF, including those implicating implementing partners and suppliers. In addition, OIAI undertakes proactive investigations in high-risk areas that are susceptible to wrongdoing, fraud and corruption. The Investigations Section comprises three units: a NY based investigations unit, a Budapest based investigations unit, and a Strategy, Intake and Analysis Unit that handles intake and initial assessments of new matters; policy and strategic initiatives; and quality assurance of investigation and other reports, among other matters. OIAI conducts investigations in accordance with the International Uniform Principles and Guidelines.

A key strategic priority for OIAI is to increasingly focus on responding to concerns of fraud and corruption, including through proactive investigations, in line with its Office Management Plan for 2022-2025 as well as with the findings of the recent external quality assessment of the investigations function, which recommended that the office take a more active role in investigating allegations of fraud and corruption by vendors and implementing partners. In the last year, OIAI launched this work through, among other things, a comprehensive review and analysis of the UNICEF legal and policy framework related to fraud and corruption.

How can you make a difference?

OIAI is seeking a consultant with extensive fraud and corruption-related legal and investigations experience to work on a number of critical initiatives related to its fraud and corruption strategy. The consultant would assist the Investigations Section, OIAI, working remotely from his or her home country. The consultant may be requested to travel internationally to UNICEF Country, Regional or Headquarters Offices in connection with pending cases, proactive reviews, or other matters and has the option to make her own travel arrangements at the most direct and economical route. If the manager requests such travel, the travel dates and costs will be approved by the manager before proceeding with the booking. The consultant will be reimbursed upon presentation of appropriate documentation which should not exceed the current market value as prescribed by the UNICEF’s travel unit (DFAM) and as per the UN travel rules and regulations. DSA will be paid based on UNICEF’s current daily rate during the period of travel. All other travel (for example if the consultant wishes to work from OIAI’s offices on a voluntary basis) will be at the consultant’s own expense, unless otherwise agreed by management.

The consultant will:

• Lead, on behalf of OIAI, proactive in-depth reviews (PIRs) in relation to the use of UNICEF funding.
• Review fraud cases resolved in the past three years, identify trends and lessons learned from these cases with a view to strengthening the Investigations Section’s handling of these cases as well as UNICEF’s response to fraud and corruption concerns.
• In coordination with relevant Divisions, contribute to UNICEF’s initiative to develop and implement a robust sanctions system for third parties engaging in fraud and corruption.
• Provide guidance and advice within OIAI regarding pending fraud and corruption-related matters, as well as outside OIAI, including, upon request and as appropriate, by:
  • Reviewing and analyze evidence
  • Interviewing relevant witnesses and subjects
  • Communicating with country, regional and other UNICEF office
  • Coordinating with external entities including implementing partners and audit firms
  • Reviewing terms of reference for special audits and/or forensic audits, and/or third-party investigation plans
• Assist with other fraud and corruption-related policy and strategic initiatives, upon request
• Prepare written work products including closure and referral memorandums, notes for the record, and internal and external communications, upon request
• Communicate regularly with the Chief of Strategy, Intake and Analysis and the Deputy Director for Investigations, as appropriate

The consultant will be tasked either directly or indirectly by the Deputy Director Investigations and all work products produced by the consultant as a result of her engagement with UNICEF, remains the property of UNICEF and shall be submitted to the OIAI, Deputy Director of Investigation.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in investigations, law, business administration, finance or another directly relevant field, or significant, relevant training and experience in the field of investigations
• At least 8 years of progressive professional experience conducting administrative or criminal investigations
• Proven ability to conduct complex investigations and quickly and accurately analyze, assess and summarize investigation findings, observations and recommendations
• Working experience in an International Organization is desirable
• Field experience is an advantage
• Strong writing skills
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. Proficiency in French, Spanish and/or Arabic is desirable.

Duration

The consultant is expected to work on a part-time basis, for about 12-15 days per month, depending on the Section’s needs. For a period of One Year.

Quotation requirements:

The Consultant is required to submit a quotation in USD.

Location: This is a remote consultant assignment.

Travel: If the consultant is required to travel the contract holder is responsible for travel arrangements and must ensure they are made in line with UNICEF policy on entitlements for consultant travel. Travel booked directly by the consultant cannot be reviewed by UNICEF Travel Administrators / Travel Focal Points for reasonableness pre or post-booking. The consultant must travel on UNICEF approved airlines. Travel paid for by UNICEF shall be based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel, subject to exceptional approval of business class travel by the Approving Authority. (Such approval may be granted normally for certified medical reasons.)

Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA): Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable DSA rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Consultant will receive full DSA for any duty station travelled to on official UNICEF business.

Payment Terms: Payment will be made upon submission of an invoice, specifying the number of days worked and completed tasks.

To apply, kindly include the following:

• A cover letter that notes your understanding of the Terms of Reference and your relevant experience in a maximum of one page along with expected fees.
• Attach most recent CV.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.