INVESTIGATOR

Investigator

UN OIOS - United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services Vienna International P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position level Speaks Arabic, English, French Application deadline: November 18, 2026 (about 1 month)

The Investigator position at the Office of Internal Oversight Services in Vienna involves managing and conducting investigations into alleged misconduct, fraud, and violations of United Nations regulations. The role requires travel to remote locations and includes responsibilities such as leading investigative teams, gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and drafting reports. Candidates must possess strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience and an advanced degree in law or a related field are required.

Candidate Requirements:

• Advanced University degree in law or relevant field
• Minimum seven years of investigation-related experience
• Experience in interviewing subjects and witnesses
• Experience in international investigation activities
• Experience in international or multilateral public institution
• Data analytics experience is desirable
• Fluency in English; French or Arabic is desirable

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Investigations Division (ID) of the Office of Oversight Services (OIOS) Regional Office in Vienna. The Investigator will report to the Chief of Section in Vienna. The Investigator will be required to travel to remote locations, at times for extended periods, to manage and conduct investigations. OIOS is the internal oversight body of the United Nations and assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of audit, investigation, and inspection and evaluation services. ID/OIOS investigates reports of possible violations of rules, regulations, mismanagement, misconduct, waste of resources and abuse of authority.

Responsibilities

The Investigator will be responsible for the following duties: Plans, organizes, conducts, and manages investigations of alleged misconduct, malfeasance, mismanagement, fraud, corruption, waste of resources, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and violations of United Nations Regulations and Rules; Leads and supervises a team or teams of investigators and coordinates the investigative activities of team members; defines the parameters and timetable of an investigation; Decides on the investigative tools to be employed; gathers evidence; prepares testimony for tribunals; obtains and reviews pertinent documentation; Conducts interviews and takes statements; analyses facts, determines findings, and formulates recommended corrective measures and related disciplinary and jurisdictional actions; drafts investigation reports and communications; Collaborates with other investigators and staff members to achieve Organizational goals, in accordance with ID/OIOS standard operating procedures and in compliance with Organizational Regulations and Rules; Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting; Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal and administrative investigations. Knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to identify and analyse problems/issues and participate in their resolution. Proven ability to gather evidence and interview suspects and witnesses. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve Organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish tasks and matches tasks to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law or a relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in investigation related work, together with supervisory functions, is required. Experience in interviewing subjects and witnesses in the furtherance of investigations is required. Experience of working on international investigation activities is required. Experience of working in an international or multilateral public institution is required. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the posts or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the Young Professionals Programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to these positions. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

United Nations Considerations

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct