Chief (Investigation) – P5  

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.

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 corrupt and fraudulent practices and allegations of misconduct that involve UNICEF staff, consultants, non-staff personnel and institutional contractors. OIAl’s investigations cover all forms of misconduct including, but not limited to fraud; corruption; workplace harassment; sexual harassment; abuse of authority; and failure to observe prescribed regulations, rules, relevant administrative issuances, and standards of conduct. The position is located in New York.

How can you make a difference?

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Investigations, the incumbent will serve as the Chief of Section (Investigations) of OIAI’s Investigations Service and be responsible for leading, supervising and managing his/her Section comprised of investigators and other professionals and supervises the work of all team members, including developing, monitoring and evaluating all work assignments, overall providing support to the day to day operational and specialized activities to enhance the smooth running of their supervisor’s day-to day actions, as well as his/her Service.

The incumbent:

• Leads, supervises and manages a team of Investigators based in NY, overseeing the work of all team members, including developing, monitoring and evaluating all work assignments.
• Plan, organize, conduct, supervise and manage investigations of the most serious and complex cases in the fields of corruption and fraud, as well as of alleged misconduct, malfeasance, mismanagement, waste of resources, or alleged violations of United Nations Regulations and Rules and pertinent administrative issuances, including cases of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment. This includes adducing evidence, obtaining and reviewing pertinent documentation, conducting interviews and taking statements, analysing facts and determining findings and ensuring that all investigations are conducted professionally and efficiently;
• Ensure that investigations are carried out in a timely fashion, pursuant to internationally accepted best practices and coordinated within the work of OIAI’s Investigations Section and with other organizations of the United Nations system, as appropriate, and develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned investigations;
• Ensure the preparation of investigation reports of the highest quality, together with findings and recommendations for related disciplinary and jurisdictional actions, as well as evidence, materials and analysis to support such actions;
• Assign tasks to investigation team members and conduct regular portfolio reviews to assist in carrying out the assignments;
• Create and maintain an up to date and complete case activity list of the active and open investigations for priority setting and overall case management by the Head of Investigations;
• Respond to requests for information, assistance and advice from offices and departments outside the Service;
• Has responsibility for the management and handling of evidentiary material, including locating and liaising with investigative authorities of other international organizations, national authorities and forensic institutions;
• Liaise and coordinate between the Section and the relevant UNICEF and United Nations legal offices, the Administrative Law Unit and the Office of Legal Advisor, as necessary and under the direction of the Head of Investigations Section;
• Carry out responsibilities for ensuring the legal sufficiency of the planning and reporting documents of the Section, including matters concerning peer reviews;
• Liaise with other Offices’ and Departments’ staff and management, both at Headquarters in New York and at field locations worldwide, in discussing the work of the Office;
• Supports efforts to develop data analytical tools and other mechanisms to improve investigative activities as well as develop strategies and mechanisms to identify and mitigate risk across UNICEF’s operations
• Provide advice and expertise on investigatory matters;
• Oversee administrative tasks as appropriate in the duty station;
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned by the Head of Investigations or Director OIAI

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

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal investigation, or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with two additional years of relevant work experience (i.e. overseeing administrative investigations and/or providing legal and strategic advice for investigative decision) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in legal activities and/or investigation related functions is required. 
• Experience with an international or multilateral public institution in desirable.
• Experience with international investigation activities is an asset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Solid organizational skills.
• 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?

• Builds and maintains partnerships (2)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
• Innovates and embraces change (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• Thinks and acts strategically (2)
• Works collaboratively with others (2)
• Nurtures, leads and manages people (2)

View our competency framework at:

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.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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