INVESTIGATOR

Investigator

The Investigator position at the Office of Internal Oversight Services in New York involves planning, conducting, and managing investigations into alleged misconduct and violations of United Nations regulations. The role requires collaboration with a team to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and prepare investigation reports. Candidates must possess strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively. This position also requires travel to remote locations and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Candidate Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in law or related field
• Minimum five years of investigatory work experience
• Experience in interviewing subjects and witnesses
• Experience with international investigation activities
• Data analytics experience is desirable
• Fluency in English; French is desirable

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 other gender-based issues, or alleged violations of United Nations Regulations, Rules and pertinent administrative issuances;
• Participates within a team of investigators to gather evidence; prepares evidence for disciplinary bodies; obtains and reviews relevant documentation; conducts interviews and takes statements; analyses facts, determines findings and formulates recommended disciplinary and jurisdictional actions; gathers and analyses electronic evidence;
• Determines whether matters involve potential fraud, corruption, or other illegal or criminal conduct warranting referral to national authorities;
• Prepares complete and concise investigation reports and conducts post-investigation tasks;
• 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; and
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to administrative and criminal investigations; Knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to identify and analyze problems/issues and participate in their resolution; Proved ability to gather evidence and interview subjects 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law or a related field. 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.

Work Experience:

A minimum of five years of full-time progressively responsible experience in investigatory work is required. Experience in interviewing subjects and witnesses in the furtherance of investigations is required. Experience with international investigation activities is required. Experience with working in an international or multilateral public institution is desirable. 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. French 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 extra-budgetary funds. The appointment, or assignment, and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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 this position. 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 warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their