Consultancy - Quality Assurance for Investigations (Roster) Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS), UNFPA

Purpose of consultancy:
UNFPA is recruiting for a Roster of qualified Consultants to assist in the quality assurance of investigative activities and critical work product of the Investigations Branch of the Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS). OAIS will draw from the Roster as needed to support specific short-term projects and assignments.
OAIS is an operationally independent office at UNFPA and reports to the Executive Director of UNFPA. The Office is responsible for supporting the achievement of the objectives of UNFPA by contributing to the improvement of its operations, risk management and results through its internal audit, investigation, and advisory services. OAIS is composed of the Office of the Director, an Internal Audit Branch and an Investigation Branch, composed of two Investigations Units, an Intake and Reporting Unit, and Quality Assurance function. The
Investigations Branch is the sole office authorized to perform, manage or authorize investigations at UNFPA.
OAIS operates the quality assurance function to ensure the highest quality of its investigations process and products, including full compliance with applicable policies, United Nations Dispute Tribunal and United Nations Appeals Tribunal jurisprudence, and international investigation standards. The Consultant, Quality Assurance for Investigations will contribute to the review, improvement, finalization, and issuance of key investigative reports and other investigative work products. Consultants constitute an integral part of the investigation team
and support the successful delivery of OAIS’ investigation services.
Within the broad scope of work as outlined above, the consultant is expected to deliver relevant activities on a timely basis, reliably and accurately throughout the consultancy period.

Specific deadlines, reports/deliverables will be on need basis and communicated accordingly. Consultants will be remunerated on a daily basis, per assignment, at a rate equivalent to P-3.

During the term of this consultancy, incumbent will be expected to perform the following activities:
 Deliverables:
A. Conducting systematic quality assurance reviews of OAIS work products

 Reviewing Investigation Reports, Investigation Closure Reports, Case Closure Notes (as needed), and other relevant investigative work products identified by the Head of QualityAssurance - Investigations, the Investigation Unit Chiefs, and the Director, OAIS for compliance with OAIS quality assurance frameworks.

 Providing editorial and advisory services, including substantive editing and copy editing, including ensuring compliance with relevant editorial standards and templates.

 Conducting editorial review of investigative reports focusing on clarity, structure, word choice, and redundancies. The Consultant looks at the structure of the document to ensure that it is logical, clear and easy to follow and at the style of the document to ensure consistency and appropriateness of tone.

 Analyzing completed investigative work products to ensure all supporting documents/exhibits are properly named, stored and made available by individual investigators in electronic OAIS case files.

 Ensuring that OAIS’ work products have considered all available avenues of inquiry, explored pertinent evidentiary sources, and identified all relevant investigation stakeholders, including donors and any associated donor reporting requirements.

 Reviewing OAIS’ investigative work products for accuracy, sufficiency of language and drafting, conformance with internal report writing procedures and OAIS standards.

 Liaising and working with OAIS’ investigators to provide feedback and improve the quality and clarity of OAIS investigative output.

B. Contributing to the development of tools and templates for strengthening and streamlining OAIS quality frameworks

 Developing tools and templates to ensure OAIS’ internal procedures give effect to relevant regulations, rules, policy, and legal obligations, while promoting highest standards of efficiency and effectiveness.

 Advising on relevant international administrative law, including the impact of jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and United Nations Appeals Tribunal, on OAIS investigative activities.

 Drafting and/or reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and designing methodologies for their integration into OAIS workflows.

 Under the direction of the Head, Quality Assurance for Investigations, overseeing compliance with OAIS’s donor reporting obligations, including developing strategies, tools and methodologies to help OAIS manage donor relations.

C. Performing any other duties as assigned by the Director, OAIS or the Investigation Unit Chiefs or Head, Quality Assurance for Investigations
 Assist the Head, Quality Assurance for Investigations, other Chiefs of the Investigations Branch and the Director in addressing issues raised by clients and other stakeholders.

 Undertake, as needed, the investigative activities for specific cases in support of the cases investigated by OAIS investigators or as assigned specifically to the Head of Section themselves. Perform special reviews and other tasks assigned by the Director, OAIS. 

The Consultant, Quality Assurance for Investigations, will help ensure that OAIS’ investigative deliverables are of the highest quality, thereby contributing to the effective oversight of UNFPA operations and programs. This will be achieved through assisting with the review of OAIS investigation output and contributing to the development of tools, policies and procedures for enhancing and streamlining OAIS’ quality assurance frameworks.

Consultants report directly to the Head of Quality Assurance - Investigations.

Expected Travel: NA
Required Expertise and Qualifications:
Education:

 Advanced university degree in law, criminology or closely related fields. (A first level university degree with a combination of significant relevant education, professional certification(s), training and experience in the field of investigations may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree).

 Formal training and/or certification in law enforcement methodologies, an asset. Admission to the Bar or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), desirable Knowledge and Experience:

 At least five (5) years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations, with a proven track record in investigations and at least two (2) years of experience in drafting, reviewing, analyzing or assessing investigative reports or findings.

 Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Google Suite is an asset.

 Proven ability to assess investigative reports/briefs, and accurately analyze, assess and verify findings, observations and make investigation-related recommendations, is desirable.

 Demonstrable knowledge of international civil service law, as it relates to UN policies, procedures and jurisprudence relevant to administrative investigations and decisions and rulings of the relevant tribunals, is desirable.

 Experience in an International Organization (UN system or multilateral context) is desirable.

 Experience in the international or public legal sector, or donor relations, is desirable.

Languages:

 Fluency in English required, with proven ability to express well verbally and in writing.

 Good knowledge of other UN official languages (French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian), highly desirable.
Female candidates with experience in international organizations are highly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
Please send your CV and a short letter of motivation with “Consultant - Quality Assurance for
Investigations (Roster) Office of Audit and Investigation Services” on the subject line and email
the documents to oais.recruitment@unfpa.org, by 24 December 2025.