Senior Investigation Officer

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO) enhances and protects organizational value by providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the operations of IFAD. It helps IFAD accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. AUO also reviews and investigates possible or alleged irregular practices, including staff misconduct, fraud and corruption in IFAD activities, and actively promotes ethics, accountability, quality and continuous improvement in IFAD operations.
AUO is organized in two sections (the internal audit and investigation sections) and a front office.  The Director AUO is responsible for the overall management of AUO and reports to the IFAD President and functionally also to the Audit Committee.  The Senior Investigation Officer reports to the Investigation Manager, AUO.

The Senior Investigation Officer is an authoritative expert with responsibility for the full range of activities involved in the management of investigations, requiring expert knowledge of investigation methodologies and tools. S/he contributes to IFAD's anticorruption efforts in its activities and operations, and ethical culture and leads broad and comprehensive investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption and/or misconduct, often leading a team of investigators and investigative consultants.

1. INVESTIGATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: The Senior Investigation Officer contributes to the definition of objectives, strategies, policies, and operating procedures for the Investigation Section of AUO by reference to accepted international standards and best practices.

2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: As called upon, communicates AUO’s experience and professional viewpoint to Management and Peers drawing from investigation work and the IFAD anticorruption framework. Promotes good governance practices in IFAD by advising on or supporting institutional initiatives, committees and working groups where such involvement is compatible with and can leverage the work of AUO. Liaises with the other UN organizations and IFIs at operational level.

3. INVESTIGATIONS: The Senior Investigation Officer a) Leads, supervises and/or performs thorough and comprehensive investigations into IFAD project related allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion and coercion, and/or into allegations of IFAD staff misconduct including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, abuse of authority and retaliation, using formal investigation and interview techniques. S/he develops investigation plans and methodologies to gather evidence and establish facts, and lead professional analysis of gathered evidence, draw legally sound and logical conclusion from investigative activities, ensure the concise drafting of investigative results and timely delivery of investigative results are expected.

4. PROMOTION OF ANTICORRUPTION POLICY: The Senior Investigation Officer contributes substantially to the implementation of the IFAD anticorruption policy, through close coordination with other IFAD colleagues and external entities, and makes recommendations to supervisors and senior management.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Investigation Officer often serves as an investigation team leader with accountability for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes a) People Management through performance management of staff and consultants while leading investigations. When leading an investigation team, s/he supervises, coordinates investigative activities of team members, and evaluates staff members' work and performance and provide appraisal to the AUO Investigation Manager and Director as required. b) Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring (1) knowledge content within functional area is continuously updated and available to colleagues and clients (2) best practices are continuously identified, documented and distributed and (3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available to the supervisors, Fund's managers, and staff.

The work of the Senior Investigation Officer consists of conducting and leading IFAD project related and IFAD staff misconduct investigations with sensitivity ensuring confidentiality and accuracy of evidence gathered as per AUO's applicable investigative guidelines, which require analysis of a broad range of subjects and capability to timely deliver comprehensive, succinct, and legally sound reports and impartiality of conclusions reached, and advising the Investigation Manager and Director AUO on institutional risks and appropriate risk mitigating measures identified in the course of these investigations. S/He plans and conducts sensitive investigations, which require analysis of a broad range of subjects in the course of detecting misconduct or fraud, and advises the Investigation Manager and the AUO Director on broader institutional risks identified in the course of these investigations.

Representational functions of the Senior Investigation Officer are typically focused on audit promotion and positioning of the AUO as authoritatively competent to internal as well as external clients and partners. Based on the technical expertise of this level, authoritative advice is provided to member state representatives and donors as required. S/He expands and develops new client relationships and establishes the foundation for collaboration with counterparts both within the Fund and externally. S/He builds collaborative networks within IFAD and with external UN/IFI oversight entities and, as required, represents AUO and IFAD at meetings and conferences, ensuring IFAD’s contribution to the definition of and adherence to system oversight standards and principles; keeps abreast of professional developments in relation to risk management, internal control, governance, audit, and anti-corruption. S/He organizes or participates in presentations to IFAD staff, Senior Management and Governing Bodies, and in awareness and/or training activities on internal audit activities and results, risk management, internal control and on the prevention of fraud and corruption. The Senior Audit Officer discusses audit findings as appropriate with heads or officials of units audited, advises them of accounting and management considerations and seeks to develop solutions to problems.

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
• Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
• Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change
• Focusing on clients - Contributes to a clientfocused culture
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates&contributes to learning culture
• Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
• Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

• Level – An advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a job related field.
• Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php or accredited by a national ministry of education or an equivalent

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of experience in professional investigatory work in an international setting preferably gained with an International Financial Institution or a United Nations organization.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.

Languages:

• English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 – Good)

Skills:

• IFAD governance & mandate: In depth knowledge of IFAD`s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work
• Advanced data analytics: Statistical & econometrics research, forensic and advanced data analytics / data mining
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• Time management: Adherence to deadlines under time constraints and pressure (e.g. to deliver governing body documents on time); ability to coordinate and manage complex workflows and in-house and external teams
• Basic ICT & digital fluency: Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. in-depth, computer information systems, including micro-computer operating systems software, hardware and applications software and other office technology equipment), end-user computing configuration management
• Investigation: Know-how in investigative strategies to conduct internal and/or fraud investigations.
• Legal drafting: Know-how in drafting legal instruments including financing agreements, policy frameworks (including principles and guidelines), internal rules and regulations and other materials governing the activities of IFAD; drafting of briefs and other documents for submission to international standard-setting entities, internal appeals bodies and external judicial bodies.
• Topical expertise - Investigation: Investigation expertise specific to the role, e.g. full professional and updated familiarity with investigation standards and practices, including concepts as commonly applied in the UN and IFI environments; good understanding of legal concepts and precedents as applicable to the conduct of investigations.
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals.
• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented
• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions
• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a "Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.
• Integrity and ethics: Strong emphasis on acting with honesty, not tolerating unethical behaviour, demonstrating equity, impartiality and sensitivity in exercising authority and interacting with staff, and other  stakeholders. Conduct must be guided by IFAD core values, the Code of conduct and a high sense of ethics.
• Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.
• Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews