Investigations Officer, P-2, Fixed-Term, Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI), NYHQ

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 108,633 USD and 147,551 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 fulfil 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, results

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is an independent office reporting to UNICEF’s Executive Director and the Executive Board. The Investigations Section manages and conducts assessments and investigations of allegations of misconduct involving UNICEF staff and other personnel, including fraud, theft, corruption, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, abuse of authority, workplace harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and other failures to observe prescribed regulations, rules, relevant administrative issuances, and standards of conduct. OIAI also investigates alleged wrongdoing including fraud and other financial irregularities, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse, committed by third parties including institutional contractors and implementing partners.

Within the Investigations Section, New York and Budapest-based Investigations units handle investigations and certain complex assessments. The Strategy, Intake and Analysis Unit (SIA) is responsible for the overall management of the hotline for reporting allegations and for conducting initial assessments of reports of misconduct and wrongdoing.

As part of the assessment, SIA analyzes the information received and collects additional information, as appropriate, to determine whether a full investigation should be initiated, or the matter should be closed and/or referred to another office or entity. SIA is also responsible for certain policy and strategic initiatives; quality assurance of investigation and other reports; and internal and external reporting of certain investigations-related data, among other matters.

How can you make a difference?

Within limits of delegated authority and under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of Investigations and the direct supervision of the Chief of SIA, the Investigations Officer will conduct initial assessments of reports of misconduct and wrongdoing; support other intake-related functions as needed; and assist with the collection and analysis of investigations-related data and information for reporting. The Investigations Officer may also be asked to assist investigators with certain investigations and complex assessments.

Summary of key responsibilities:

1. Intake and initial assessments

• Assist with the intake and assessment of allegations of misconduct of allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing implicating UNICEF staff and non-staff personnel as well as institutional contractors, implementing partners and other third parties, including by:
  • Requesting additional information from internal and external sources as needed;
  • Communicating with reporters/complainants and other potential witnesses and conducting interviews and/or obtaining statements as necessary, and in line with a victim/survivor-centred approach;
  • Conducting research using available sources, databases and tools;
  • Collecting, recording and organizing evidence collected during the assessment phase; and
  • Preparing recommendations for case disposition and related written outputs including closure and referral notes and compiling supporting documentation.
• Upon request and as needed, support hotline and intake processes for incoming reports (including processing and triage of reports, acknowledgement of receipt, and pre-assessment review to determine whether reports fall within OIAI’s mandate).

2. Investigations support

• Upon request and as needed, assist with the maintenance of the electronic case management system and case file repository, including by preparing, organizing and maintaining case files.
• Upon request and as needed, support investigators with the conduct of investigations and certain complex assessments, including by analyzing evidence, preparing interview outlines, participating in witness and subject interviews, and joining and assisting during field missions.

3. Policy and Reporting

• Assist with the collection and analysis of investigations-related data and information and with the preparation of statistical and other reports.
• Draft responses to information requests concerning investigations-related activities to internal and external stakeholders, as required.
• Supports policy-related initiatives, including by providing input on relevant policies, procedures and templates.

4. Other tasks

• Assist in promoting close cooperation with other relevant departments and offices within UNICEF.
• Perform other duties as required.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal investigation, or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in legal activities and/or investigation-related functions is required.
• Demonstrated drafting, research and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organization skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Attention to detail and commitment to ensuring integrity of investigations-related data.
• Ability to take ownership and to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance.
• Fluency in English is required, with ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing. Working knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is an advantage. Knowledge of another UN language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.