Background

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities. 
 
The Investigations Section of OAI conducts assessments and investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as fraud, theft and embezzlement, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, workplace harassment and abuse of authority, retaliation on whistleblowers, or other acts or omissions in conflict with the general obligations that involve UNDP staff and other personnel.
 
OAI also investigates allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities committed by contractors, implementing partners and other third parties, deemed to be detrimental to UNDP. In addition, OAI may undertake proactive investigations in high risk areas that are susceptible to fraud, corruption and other wrongdoings. OAI has also been tasked with establishing the function of compliance review for UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures.
 
OAI has the sole responsibility for the conduct of all investigations within UNDP. OAI conducts investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations endorsed by the 10th Conference of International Investigators, the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct, and the OAI Investigation Guidelines. The assessment, investigation and reporting of alleged non-compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures will be conducted in accordance with generally accepted international processes.
 
If the investigation reveals adequate evidence to reasonably conclude that wrongdoing has occurred, OAI will prepare an investigation report setting out the allegations, the investigation methodology and the facts established in the investigation.  Where the complaint involves more than one allegation, the investigation report will provide details of the investigative steps undertaken to corroborate each allegation, the evidence gathered as relevant to each allegation, and the OAI finding relating to each allegation.
 
The potential consequences of an investigation report vary depending on the contract modality of the subject and the nature of the investigation undertaken. Specifically:
  • If the subject is a UNDP staff member, the report is submitted to LSO/BOM for consideration of disciplinary proceedings or administrative action;
  • If the subject is a service contractor or an individual contractor, a report is submitted to the responsible manager (Head of Country Office or of Bureau or Office) for review and further action;
  • If the subject is a vendor, the report is submitted to the Vendor Review Committee for consideration of vendor sanctions;
  • If the subject is a United Nations Volunteer (UNV), the report is submitted to the UNV Advisory Panel on Disciplinary Measure (APDM) Secretariat for consideration of disciplinary or other action; and  
  • If the subject is an intern, the remedy would be to terminate the internship agreement;
  • Where an investigation into alleged non-compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures, OAI will recommend action to bring a project into compliance;
    In addition, where the investigation reveals credible evidence of a crime that appears appropriate for referral to national authorities, OAI will prepare a summary of the evidence and a request to LSO for referral of the matter to national authorities. 
In appropriate cases, OAI may also prepare a Management Letter to convey to the responsible manager(s) issues arising from the investigation that require immediate corrective action in order to strengthen internal controls and prevent similar incidents from happening.

The Investigations Quality Assurance Specialist will be tasked by the Investigations Advisor. All work product produced by the Quality Assurance Specialist as a result of this engagement is owned by UNDP and shall be submitted to the Investigations Advisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Investigations Advisor, the primary role of the Investigations Quality Assurance Specialist is to help to ensure the high quality and legal sufficiency of investigation reports and other documents produced by the Investigation Section.
 
The specific tasks that will be required of the Investigations Quality Assurance Specialist are:
  • Review selected reports and other work products prepared by OAI investigators for sufficiency of evidence, accuracy, legal conformity, coherence, and appropriateness of recommendations;
  • Review evidence gathered during an investigation and ensure that citations to evidence in investigation reports and other documents are accurate and complete;
  • Assist with the drafting of investigation reports and managerial memoranda, ensuring that they are supported by and consistent with relevant information;
  • Assist in the development of guidelines, templates and Standard Operating Procedures to improve the quality of investigations and related documents;
  • Assist in preparing summaries and reports relating to investigations and the work of OAI, for internal and external distribution.
Client Services
  • Liaise with the Legal Support Office (LSO), the Ethics Office, the Procurement Support Office, the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit and other relevant offices in UNDP;
  • Liaise with the investigation sections of other international organizations and with national anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
 Other Tasks
  • Contribute to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI;
  • Provide training to members of the Investigation Section designed to increase the quality of reports and other documents;
  • Participate in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan;
  • Keep abreast of jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) and advise members of the Investigations Section of relevant decisions; 
  • Conduct and participate in investigations if required; and
  • Perform other assignments or tasks as determined by the Investigations Advisor or Deputy Director (Investigations).

Competencies

Core Values & Ethics:
  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness;
  • Demonstrates the ability to remain objective, neutral and independent vis-à-vis all parties involved;
  • Possesses the psychological ability to discern and handle the intricacies of workplace and sexual harassment issues;
  • Displays utmost discretion and upholds confidentiality;
  • Display cultural sensitivity;
  • Supports corporate goals;
  • Complies with UNDP regulations, rules, and code of conduct.
Functional Competencies:
 
Relationship Building:
  • Builds strong client relationship;
  • Focuses on client results and impacts;
  • Anticipates evolving client needs;
  • Manages conflict and stress.
 Teamwork:
  • Leads team-based activities;
  • Embraces extra responsibility;
  • Build team morale & consensus.
 Task Management Skills:
  • Produces timely, quality outputs;
  • Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
  • Develops creative solutions;
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks.
 Communications:
  • Excellent writing skills;.
  • Speaks clearly and convincingly;
  • Has good presentation skills;
  • Listens actively and responds effectively.
 Building & Sharing Knowledge:
  • Actively builds deep knowledge in one or more areas;
  • Makes valuable practice contributions;
  • Applies existing knowledge to work;
  • Provides advice & support to others.
 Learning:
  • Provides constructive coaching and feedback;
  • Acts as long-term mentor for others;
  • Acts on personal development plan.
Professional:
  • Demonstrates ability to perform in accordance with relevant professional standards for administrative investigations.
Technical Competencies:
Demonstrates ability to use and apply the following technical process of aides, in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OAI services:
  • Microsoft office suite;
  • Investigations software and open source applications;
  • Database applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  
  • Advanced university degree in law or related field.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in complex criminal, civil and/or administrative litigation;
  • Substantial experience in writing and editing legal documents; and
  • Professional experience with the UN system of administrative justice is an advantage. 
Language requirements:
  • Fluency in English;
  • Proficiency in French or Spanish is an advantage;
  • Knowledge of other UN official language is desirable.
Important:

How to apply

The application must contain duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11), which can be downloaded from www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc . The form should be uploaded to your online application in lieu of CV. If you experienced technical issues with uploading your P11 form during the online application, please send it to oai.bids@undp.org indicating in the e-mail subject field:  your name and "82778_Investigations Quality Assurance Specialist, P4".

Please note that:
  • Applications without P11 form will not be considered;
  • Applications should be submitted in English language.