Investigations Officer (Liaison and Reporting) P4, Rome

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

The selected candidate will report to the Director, Office of Inspections and Investigations (OIGI). The goal and mission of the OIGI is to conduct independent investigations into allegations of misconduct involving WFP staff, contractors and other applicable persons.

Frequent and often short-notice travel to WFP Field Operations, mainly to developing countries, is required.

We are looking for a higly qualified Investigations Officer P4 with solid experience in administrative investigations and, preferably, legal background. Critical to this role is the capability to manage donor agreement information requests, drafting investigations clauses, experience in the various reporting requirements of the UN system, and the ability to provide quality assurance to investigations reports from an evidential perspective. 

The selected candidate will take part in internal reviews and assessments of complaints and allegations, efficiently plan and undertake complex investigations and prepare comprehensive reports. A large emphasis is placed on coordination of the work of investigative teams, development of policies and procedures, provision of advice on best practices with respect to investigations and guidance/training to other staff.

1. Efficiently coordinate and undertake office and field-based complex investigations into allegations of violations of policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and applicable rules and regulations.
2. Coordinate preparation of and/or prepare comprehensive reports and ad hoc briefs pertaining to complex investigations and, based on analysis and findings, make recommendations for corrective actions, improved controls and efficiency of WFP operations.
3. Monitor, support and coordinate the work of investigative teams to ensure outputs meet quality standards and are delivered according to established schedules.
4. Effectively manage the work-flow of individual cases assigned to Investigations Officers.
5. Take part in internal review and assessment of received complaints and allegations and formulate comprehensive investigation plans for complex investigations.
6. Assess the potential for fraud and corruption in operational activities and formulate recommendations for senior management decisions.
7. Provide guidance and advice to WFP staff on matters pertaining to the investigation of wrongdoing, and direct staff appointed by field offices to assist in investigations.
8. Regularly appraise management of the progress of investigations and assess and advise management on probable impact of investigation outcomes.
9. Coordinate with local officials, governments, and external organizations to facilitate investigative work.
10. Effectively work, collaborate and coordinate with other control and monitoring functions as appropriate.
11. Provide advice on and promote best practices with respect to investigations.
12. Provide support in the preparation of work plans and the establishment of priorities in the investigation function.
13. Assist in the development and implementation of investigators’ trainings.
14. Develop policies and procedures and share best practices/lessons learnt from investigative work.
15. Develop and manage knowledge bank for OIGI policy and procedures, keeping update on the new policies from ILOAT (International Labour Organizations Administrative Tribunal). Ensure adherence to ILOAT policies by proposing new and/or amendments to the OIGI policies and procedures. 
16. Act as OIGI spokesperson to internal audience on the investigation processes. Ensure effective design and delivery of communications products that effectively convey the desired message to persons affected by investigations.
17. Hold accountability for the comprehensive and accurate reports disseminated from the Office of Inspector General. Oversee and approve the collation, drafting and dissemination of reports from the Office of Inspector General to various stakeholders both inside and outside the organization.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Criminology, Investigations, Law, Audit, Accounting or other related fields, or a first level degree with additional years of experience.
• Formal training and/or certification in various law enforcement methodologies/fraud examination or investigation.

Experience:

• Eight years or more (of which three international) of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in the conduct of administrative investigations and/or conducting legal review and analysis of administrative investigations.  
• Previous experience of investigating of internal fraud, sexual harassment, harassment, abuse of authority, and/or sexual exploitation and abuse cases is a strong asset.
• Previous experience in conducting investigations with a UN organization, an international organization (ie NGO) or an international financing institution, and working in developing countries, is an advantage.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in theories, concepts and approaches relevant to investigations and practical use of investigation and interviewing techniques.
• Legal background/experience is preferred. 
• Knowledge of the various reporting requirements of the UN system.
• Ability to provide quality assurance to investigations reports from an evidential perspective.  
• Strong report writing skills.
• Skills in coordination of multiple investigations and delivery of planned outputs.
• Familiarity with the use of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources and databases.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, and of UN rules and procedures, is an asset.
• Ability to coach staff in collection and handling facts and evidence.
• Ability to apply good judgment and strategic thinking in the context of internal investigations.
• Strong coordination, planning and leadership skills including ability to influence Senior Managers by consistent and clear communication. 
• Strong communication skills and setting priorities.

Language:

• Fluency (level C) in English.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese (or willing to achieve this level within 12 months).

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Utilizes understanding of WFP’s Strategic Objectives to communicate linkages to team objectives and work.
•  Be a force for positive change: Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area.
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Identifies opportunities to further align individual contributions with WFP’s mission of making an impact on local communities.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Helps colleagues to see the link between their individual tasks and the contributions of their unit’s goals to the broader context of WFP’s mission.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Is able to identify, support and encourage focused on-the-job learning opportunities to address gaps between current skillsets and needed future skillsets for WFP.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Recognizes the contributions of teammates, and encourages contributions from culturally different team mates to recognise the value of diversity above and beyond just including it in programming for beneficiaries.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Provides and solicits ongoing constructive feedback on strengths and development opportunities to help develop individual skills, whilst also helping others identify areas for improvement.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts in ambiguous situations (e.g., unprecedented issues and/or scenarios).

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Thinks beyond team’s conventional approaches to formulate creative methods for delivering food aid and assistance to beneficiaries.
•  Focus on getting results: Maintains focus on achieving individual results in the face of obstacles such as volatile or fragile environments and/or organizational roadblocks.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Takes personal accountability for upholding and delivering upon team’s commitments and provides assurance to stakeholders.
•  Be Decisive: Demonstrates ability to adjust to team’s plans and priorities to optimize outcomes in light of evolving directives, while also responding quickly in high-pressure environments, such as in emergency settings.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Demonstrates an understanding of when and how to tactfully engage other units in conversations on impact, timing, or planning.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Networks regularly with key external partners using formal and informal opportunities to understand each partner’s unique value proposition, and to build and strengthen relationships.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Demonstrates ability to articulate to internal and external audiences the value that individual contributions and immediate teams bring to partnerships.

• The selected candidate will be employed on a two-year Fixed-Term contract with a probationary period of one year.

• WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit www.icsc.un.org  

• Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “nonrotational” which means that the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the positions reclassified as rotational.

• Travel requirements are often on an ad hoc basis and are of irregular frequency.

20th October, 2019

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.