UN Women - Head, Internal Investigation Function, P4 New York, USA (FTA)

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Under a hybrid model of investigation services, UN Women’s Internal Investigation Function (IIF) of the Independent Evaluation, Audit, and Investigations Services (IEAIS), and the external investigation service provider will have authority to conduct investigations for UN Women at Headquarters and offices away from headquarters.  When directed, the IIF will undertake preliminary analysis and reviews, conduct investigations into alleged fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse of authority or other misconduct and violations of UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions.

The Head, IIF reports to the Director, IEAIS as primary supervisor. The Head, IIF supervises the Investigator (P2) and investigation consultants as needed, and works closely with other IEAIS personnel, Human Resources, Management and Finance, Legal personnel as well as relevant personnel at headquarters, regional and country offices.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

1. Lead, manage and conduct investigations aligned with UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions.

• Conduct out the full range of activities involved in the management and conduct of investigations. 
• Contribute to UN Women’s corporate integrity, good governance and anti-fraud efforts.
• Lead and provide guidance to the unit’s investigations into fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse of authority, sexual harassment and abuse or other misconduct.

• For cases assigned, the Head, IIF will be responsible for: 
  • Conducting preliminary assessments, investigations and lessons learned reviews of alleged misconduct or violations of UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions;
  • Lead and supervise assignment teams assigned for each case and coordinate the investigative activities of team member(s);
  • Define the parameters, scope and timetable of an investigation for approval of the Director, IEAIS
  • Gather and analyze relevant evidence (documentary, physical, electronic, etc.);
  • Interview witnesses, victims, and subjects in accordance with generally accepted best practice procedures (ensuring confidential and reliable information and according due process);
  • Prepare concise investigation reports which sets forth the findings, supporting evidence, analysis and evaluation of the evidence, as well as recommendations; and
  • Work collaboratively with key stakeholders, both internally (headquarters, regional offices, country offices, Board of Auditors, Advisory Committee on Oversight) and externally (e.g. other UN organizations, donors, suppliers).

2. Provide timely substantive support and advice on investigation activities: 

• Develop and maintain investigation strategy for the unit;
• Lead the preparation of the segment of the annual report to the Executive Board on investigation activities;
• Perform quality assurance and professional development programme, and investigation-related policies, procedures and guidance material, based on applicable best practices and legal developments;
• Perform legal and policy research and analysis of evidentiary material gathered for investigation reports, including analysis of the applicable legal norms governing investigations;
• Contribute to ensuring confidentiality and administration of information systems, files and statistics related to investigations.

3. Provide technical contributions to knowledge management and sharing:

• Provide training and guidance to personnel and partners on integrity and fraud and corruption prevention and detection.
• Provide guidance and advice to business units on investigation-related matters.
• Provide ongoing development of professional practices within the team including the development of investigation standard operating procedures for the effective and efficient conduct of investigations.
• Participates in the implementation of a personal learning and training development plan.

4. Strengthen the investigations capacity within UN Women

• Provide direction and guidance to, and coaches team members ensuring effective team functioning.
• Assess the team members’ performance in a participatory manner and documents lessons learned.

5. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to perform investigation services across a wide range of types of misconduct
• Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to administrative investigations. 
• Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Knowledge of research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources and other databases. 
• Ability to gather evidence and conduct investigation interviews. 
• Demonstrated ability to exercise confidentiality.
• Ability to produce timely and quality written outputs.
• Ability to develop creative solutions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively in an international environment and to embrace and promote diversity.
• Ability to listen actively and respond effectively.

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, investigation, audit/accounting or a related area.
• A first-level university degree with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Additional professional certifications (e.g. CFE) are desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in conducting and managing administrative investigations is required.
• At least four years working experience in an international organization is required.
• Experience in annual reporting and maintenance of investigation statistics is required.
• Experience with UN policies, procedures and operations is desirable.
• Experience leading and managing personnel in international settings is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.