Investigation Specialist (various levels)

Organizational Setting

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provides oversight of the programmes and operations of the Organization, through internal audit and investigation. The Office reports to the Director-General and Senior Management on lessons learned, and promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO's operations.

The investigations unit of the Office of the Inspector General (OIGI) investigates allegations of misconduct in the programmes and operations of the Organization. It is anticipated that OIGI will need to retain consultants to assist in conducting and supporting investigative activities and related tasks (e.g. intake, policy-related, reporting, etc.). Assignments may cover a number of activities, or be limited to a specific case or other specific type activity. The purpose of this call for expressions of interest is to identify suitably qualified candidates who may be invited to undertake assignments for OIGI, for a period of up to 11 months, with possibility of renewal.

This call is aimed at candidates with various levels of experience, in particular, Investigations consultants with assignments at any of three categories, depending on level of experience. The Investigations consultants will be located at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome (Italy), with possible missions to the field, or may be home based, as appropriate under the circumstances. Notwithstanding this call for expressions of interest, individual Vacancy Announcements may be issued for specific assignments where this is deemed appropriate.

Reporting Lines

The consultants/PSAs report to Team Leaders or the Senior Investigator (Head of unit), OIGI, as appropriate.

Technical Focus

• Conduct of intake, preliminary reviews, and/or investigations and/or provision of investigation support to OIGI staff in relation to review and analysis of complaints falling within OIG’s mandate; and/or
• Support to OIGI staff in relation to policy-related activities relevant to OIG’s oversight function; and/or
• Support to OIGI staff in relation to OIG’s data management and/or reporting obligations.

Tasks and responsibilities

The specific tasks and responsibilities of each selected consultant will be defined in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the corresponding assignment.

• undertake investigative tasks, according to generally accepted investigative practice, applicable policies, deadlines and deliverables. Assigned tasks and responsibilities may include:

• Lead or assist in the conduct of intake activities, preliminary reviews and investigations as set out in the FAO Investigation Guidelines, identifying any sensitive issues and proposing course of action.

• Conduct interviews, gather and analyze information, prepare investigative reports and memoranda presenting facts, analyze, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions.
• Participate in field missions, as necessary, to carry out investigative activities.

• Maintain investigative records.

• Provide input into OIGI policy-related activities. Assigned tasks may include:

• Contribute to the review and revision of draft policies and internal OIGI products;

• Contribute to the review and revision of donor contribution agreements and other external materials in relation to topics falling within OIGI’s mandate;

• Participate in OIGI’s data management activities, and in OIG’s reporting to senior management and/or to Oversight and Finance Committee’s. Assigned tasks may include collecting data from various sources, including liaising with investigative staff, and preparing outputs in relation to specific reporting requirements.

• Contribute to OIG’s awareness raising activities (e.g. preparation of presentation, webinars, newsletters).
• Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in in law or in a subject associated with criminal and/or administrative investigations. A first level university degree in law or in a subject associated with criminal and/or administrative investigations is acceptable for certain types of consultancy.

• Candidates’ number of years of relevant professional experience will affect the consultancy level/category in the event of an offer of employment and hiring. Relevant experience includes professional work in fact-finding/investigations preferably, but not limited to, in the area of misconduct by employees, suppliers and partner’s organizations, including fraud and other forms of corruption, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, using generally accepted investigation techniques and procedures. It also includes experience in policy review/formulation in international administrative settings, as well as data management expertise.

• at least ten years for A level (expert) consultants/PSA;

• at least five years for category B (mid-level) consultants/PSA;

• at least two years for category C (junior) consultants/PSA.

• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for Consultants). Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish may be sufficient for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work is highly desirable.
• Work experience in an international organization and/or an international setting is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to write professional documents in a clear and succinct manner in English is highly desirable;
• Familiarity with data management and processing techniques, and basic understanding of statistics are considered an asset.