UNDP Jobs - 53025- Deputy Director (Investigations)

Deputy Director (Investigations)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Feb-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

D-1

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and affiliated entities. As the sole office in UNDP mandated to conduct investigations, OAI conducts independent investigations into allegations of misconduct involving UNDP staff, contractors and other applicable persons.

The Deputy Director (Investigations) reports to the Director OAI. He/She is part of the OAI senior management team, which also includes the Director (OAI) and the Deputy Director (Audit).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Deputy Director (investigations) assists the Director in providing leadership in the area of investigations, including:

Managing the investigations function;
Developing and implementing guidelines and practices for conduct of effective investigations, ensuring proper application of due process principles;
Contributing to strengthening UNDP’s Legal Framework for Addressing Non Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct;
Assisting management in developing and implementing fraud prevention policies; and
Conducting investigations in very high priority and complex cases.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the guidance of the Director, OAI, the Deputy Director is responsible for:

Formulating and implementing policies and procedures for the management of investigations into allegations of wrongdoing, such as fraud, embezzlement, theft, corruption, abuse of authority, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, retaliation on whistleblowers or any other type of misconduct involving UNDP staff, contractors and other applicable persons;
Contributing to the formulation of policies and procedures for the promotion of ethical conduct, improving accountability, and the prevention of wrongdoing;
Managing the investigation function efficiently in order to meet the needs of the Organization as well as the expectations of all stakeholders. This includes the timely execution of investigations;
Planning and directing the conduct of investigations in UNDP in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures, ensuring that the resulting reports are of a high quality and issued timely;
Managing, guiding, and training OAI investigation staff, and fostering teamwork and communication among staff across organizational boundaries;
Liaising and representing OAI with entities within and outside UNDP on all matters concerning investigations.

Management of the Investigation function – strategic:

Contribute to the continuous improvement of UNDP’s legal framework for addressing non-compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct and of other frameworks and standards relevant for the investigation function;
Streamline the investigations process to ensure timely execution of investigations;
Formulate, monitor and report on an annual work plan.
Formulate and implement policies and procedures for proactive investigation in high risk areas in order to minimize the risk of fraud and misuse of resources.
Establish and maintain internal policies and procedures in accordance with generally accepted standards for investigations in international organizations and ensure that all staff are properly briefed on these;
Ensure that there is an effective communication system (hotline, email systems, postal mail and personal reporting) that is operational round the clock for the receipt of complaints from staff, management and others.
Prepare periodic reports on the status and results of investigations for the information of the Senior Management, and as appropriate, the audit Advisory Committee and the Executive Board;
Identify systematic weaknesses and deficiencies encountered in investigations and submit draft management letters with recommendations to the Director for submission to Senior Management;
Keep abreast of investigation standards and practices in other international organizations and represent OAI at the Conference of International Investigators and in other fora which are concerned with conduct, ethics and integrity issues;
Formulate and implement a strategy for communicating the investigation function to staff and external stakeholders as to make them understand how the function operates and helps to strengthen integrity and accountability.

Key results expected: An efficient and effective and independent investigation function that helps strengthen integrity and accountability in UNDP.

Management of the investigation function – operational:

Design and maintain an intake system for categorizing and prioritizing all complaints in terms of risk and complexity and allocate cases to individual investigators to ensure timely completion of investigations;
Establish and maintain a comprehensive case management system for the effective tracking, management of and reporting on cases at all stages of investigations;
Supervise and provide guidance to investigators, experts and consultants to ensure that their work conforms to established standards and procedures and is completed in a timely manner;
Where necessary directly perform investigations of very high priority, sensitive and complex cases;
Ensure that all investigations are properly documented in accordance with the standards, and ensure that all findings are properly cross-referenced to the final report;
Establish and maintain a quality assurance function to ensure investigations are conducted in compliance with established standards and procedures and reports meet quality standards;
Ensure that investigations are completed and reports issued in a timely manner;
Manage the relationship and communication between OAI, and the Legal Support Office, Ethics Office, Office of Human Resources, Communications Office, and the Regional Bureaus and other stakeholders concerned by the investigation process or the investigation results;
Where appropriate, facilitate and arrange joint or concomitant investigations whith investigators from other international organizations and/or national authorities;
Ability to explore and effectively create synergies between investigation and audit work;
Ability to look for and implement opportunities for making the investigation process shorter without compromising due process and staff welfare.

Key results expected: Efficient and effective conduct of all investigations and timely issuance of high quality investigation reports.

Human and Financial resources management:

Assist the Director in ensuring that resources allocated for the investigation function are properly applied both in the short and long term by performing the following:

Monitor, review and ensure that all resources allocated to the investigation function are properly used in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;
Ensure that personnel within the Investigation Section continue to maintain their professional competence through appropriate training and development programmes;
Where additional resources are required to undertake investigations, identify and engage experts, consultants and temporary staff to complement the investigation staff.

Key results expected: Effective and efficient management of resources.

Other responsibilities:

Lead and participate in special projects related to oversight and cooperate with other OAI and UNDP units, in order to build organizational synergy and productivity;
Serve as Officer-in-Charge of OAI, as required;
Perform any other tasks assigned by the Director

Key results expected: Serve to promote the overall efficiency of the office.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional Competencies:

Continuous Learning

Promotes a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills particularly in the field of operational investigation work and investigation techniques.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to lead in the formulation and implementation of polices relating to investigations;
Comprehensive knowledge in the proper application of the following organizations policies and procedures in undertaking investigations: resource and financial management; human resources management and related organizational values; procurement, contract and asses management; information and communication technology management; and general administration;
Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change;
Ability to explore and effectively create synergies between investigation and audit work;
Ability to look for and implement opportunities for making the investigation process shorter without compromising due process and staff welfare.

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure; keeps difficulties in perspective;
Provide effective support to the Director.

Building and Maintaining Relationships

Identifies opportunities to build and maintain relationship within the Organization and the United Nations system;
Manages relationships for both tactical and strategic purposes;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
Shows consideration and respect for others;
Displays utmost discretion and upholds confidentiality;
Establishes harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the Organization;
Interacts openly, honestly, and professionally.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in law or another directly relevant field.

Experience:

A minimum of 15 years progressively responsible professional work experience, of which at least 10 years of investigatory or prosecutorial work in a law enforcement or investigation body;
Several years of relavent managerial experience is required, preferably in an international environment.
Field experience is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required;
Good working knowledge of either French or Spanish is desirable;
Working knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.