Investigations Officer, P-2, Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI), NYHQ #124501 (364 days)/possible remote

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, a chance

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) conducts investigations to examine and determine the veracity of all allegations received concerning allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing that involve UNICEF staff, non-staff personnel, and third parties, including institutional contractors. OIAI reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for providing internal audit and investigation services to UNICEF, consistent with OIAI’s Charter. OIAI provides UNICEF with independent and objective assurance, investigative and consulting services through internal audits and investigations. OIAI’s investigations cover all forms of misconduct including, but not limited to: sexual exploitation and abuse; fraud; corruption; workplace harassment; sexual harassment; abuse of authority; and failure to observe prescribed regulations, rules, relevant administrative issuances and standards of conduct.

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.

Sexual exploitation and abuse and serious child safeguarding cases comprise a significant portion of the Investigation Section’s caseload and are prioritized for review and assessment. A team comprised of members of both SIA and the Investigations units is responsible for the intake and assessment of all sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and serious child safeguarding (CSG) reports implicating UNICEF partners and for maintaining and reporting data concerning all SEA cases, including in the Secretary General’s UN System-wide Reporting Mechanism.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of Investigations and the direct supervision of the Chief of Investigations, the Investigations Officer will be a key member of the team responsible for the intake and assessment of SEA and CSG cases, including those involving UNICEF partners in particular, maintaining the integrity of SEA and CSG-related data, and contributing to related policy, training and reporting initiatives, while applying a victim/survivor-centered approach.

Summary of responsibilities:

• Support management of the initial intake and triage process for incoming SEA and CSG reports, including those implicating personnel of UNICEF partners in particular, to identify any immediate response actions required, such as referral to country offices for victim assistance or referral to another concerned UN entity;
• Coordinate registration of new SEA and CSG reports in the internal case management system and in the Secretary General’s UN System-wide SEA Reporting Mechanism, update records regarding same, and ensure integrity of data;
• Analyze case-related data, identify and analyze trends, extract and prepare statistical and qualitative reports, and/or present them in a cohesive and clear matter to relevant stakeholders both internal and external to OIAI;
• Communicate in a timely and professional manner with relevant UNICEF offices at the headquarters, country and regional levels, with external offices (e.g. other UN agencies), and with other stakeholders as needed, including UNICEF partners and donors, to obtain relevant information, ensure that appropriate action is taken and facilitate work relating to assessment and/or investigations;
• Provide guidance and advice to relevant UNICEF offices regarding relevant processes and procedures, as well as best practices, related to the reporting and response to SEA and CSG allegations;
• Communicate with and conduct interviews of complainants and potential victims, as well as other witnesses, as needed, including sources of reports, applying a victim/survivor-centered approach;
• Obtain and analyze potential documentary and electronic/digital evidence and other relevant information;
• Review all information collected to determinate its relevance and reliability;
• Obtain, review and analyze third-party investigation plans/reports with a view towards assessing the adequacy and appropriateness of investigative steps taken;
• Formulate and contribute to investigation plans, taking into consideration all relevant information;
• Maintain complete and well-structured case files;
• Prepare high quality written outputs documenting outcome of assessments and recommendations, including referral memorandums and notes for the record, while taking into consideration the relevant audience and the need to document steps taken;
• Deliver trainings and presentations to UNICEF personnel and partners regarding the assessment and investigation of SEA and CSG cases;
• Contribute to policies, procedures and guidance materials regarding the response to and investigation of SEA and CSG allegations, and where feasible, prepare recommendations for the improved controls and efficiency of UNICEF systems as they relate to the prevention and response to SEA and CSG, taking into consideration best practices and generally recognized international investigative standards;
• Upon request, conduct initial assessments of other types of misconduct and wrongdoing; and
• Upon request, assist in the planning and conduct of investigations by analyzing evidence, preparing interview outlines and participating in witness and subject interviews with other investigations personnel.

Summary of competencies:

• Ability to work both collaboratively, within the context of a team-based approach, and independently, within the context of individual responsibilities and portfolio of cases;
• Self-motivated to take ownership of assigned tasks and follow relevant processes, procedures and policies;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment on high priority cases and to manage competing priorities;
• Ability to communicate with and to represent the Investigations Section professionally and effectively in interactions with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders;
• Commitment to a victim/survivor-centred approach;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to apply judgment independently to identify response actions and recommendations and to provide relevant guidance and advice; and
• Attention to detail and commitment to ensuring integrity of case-related statistics and data.

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

• A first-level University Degree in law or another related field is required;
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience related to legal activities, criminal or administrative/internal investigations, and/or case management related to sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding, or similar, is required;
• Prior experience in an oversight office of a UN common system entity is considered an asset;
• Prior experience maintaining data in case management systems is considered an asset;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel; and
• Fluency in English is required. 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…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (Level 1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (Level 1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (Level 1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (Level 1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (Level 1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (Level 1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (Level 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:

This position has the option for a fully remote work modality. This will be determined based on the candidate's location and availability to relocate. In the event a remote work modality is selected, no installation to the duty station will be applicable and relevant entitlements will be adjusted based on the lower of the two costs between the remote work location and the duty station.

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.