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.  OAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls. OAI also responds to allegations of misconduct by conducting and reporting on investigations.

The Investigations Section of OAI is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as mismanagement, fraud, corruption, retaliation on whistle-blowers, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, violation or wilful disregard of UNDP regulations, rules, and administrative instructions, that involve UNDP staff, contractors and other applicable persons.

OAI established the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) to respond to complaints that UNDP may not be meeting its social and environmental commitments. The SECU became operational on 1 January 2015 and thus has new and additional staffing needs different from the prior years. The purpose of a compliance review is to investigate alleged violations of UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures, and to identify approaches to bring the project into compliance.

UNDP approved Social and Environmental Standards and the Stakeholder Response Mechanism to be integrated into UNDP’s policies and procedures and effective for all new projects starting January 1, 2015.

Overall, the Research Analyst reports administratively to the Deputy Director (Investigations) OAI. On a day-to-day basis, he/she works under the technical guidance of the Lead Compliance Officer, SECU, and Technical Specialists, Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM), Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS).

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The primary role of the Research Analyst is to provide a research and analysis capability to UNDP’s Compliance Review and Stakeholder Response Mechanism, including in the areas of communications and outreach; training and events; and case management.

Research and Analysis Management  of SECU  portfolio (55% of time):

• Conducts research and analysis of information pertaining to SES and related SECU activities;
• Collects and analyses information from internal and external data sources, social media and open source information and develops relevant new data sources;
• Researches and identifies similarities, patterns, trends and problem clusters across different countries and regions to assist in identifying lessons learned from reported cases;
• Drafts research and analysis reports of a high standard, providing an objective and factual summary of the data with soundly based conclusions and recommendations;
• Drafts reports and communications with respect to cases under review in order to provide strategic direction for SECU investigations.

Outreach and Communications  (20% of time):

• Prepares and disseminates outreach materials to inform stakeholders. Develops outreach strategies and implementation plans for each key stakeholder group;
• Participates in OAI and stakeholder meetings, providing updates on SECU as requested;
• Provides research and drafting support to preparation of the annual report by SECU;
• Organizes and contributes to SECU weekly update meetings and develops action lists and implementation plans arising from those meetings;
• Maintains the rosters of compliance and technical experts, including liaising with the members of the rosters of compliance and technical experts on a regular basis.

SECU/SRM Complaint Mechanism (20% of time):

• Supports ongoing maintenance and monitors SECU/SRM website, Hotline, Case Management System, Registry;
• Undertakes functional reviews of the website, Case Management System and Registry at three-month intervals to identify possible improvements;
• Manages the intake and assessment of complaints.

Other Tasks (5% of time):

• Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI;
• Participates in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan;
• Undertakes other related functions as requested by the Director, OAI, or the Deputy Director (Investigations).

Impact of Results

Decisions:

Significant decisions are made in assessing the soundness of source material and providing analysis of findings relating to social and environmental compliance to SECU team, country offices, bureaux and other offices.

Recommendations:

• Makes recommendations, through the Deputy Director (Investigations), for proposed changes in procedures and policies.

Error:

• Failure to detect and address weaknesses in information gathered on social and environmental compliance could result in loss of resources or reputational damage;
• Failure to identify potential for efficiency gains could result in certain functions and activities being performed at sub-optimal levels.

Competencies

Core Values & Ethics:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness;
• Demonstrates the ability to remain objective neutral and independent vis-a-vis all parties involved;
• Displays utmost discretion and upholds confidentiality;
• Display cultural sensitivity;
• Supports corporate goals;
• Complies with UNDP regulations, rules, and code of conduct.

Relationship Building:

• Builds strong client relationship;
• Focuses on client results and impacts;
• Anticipates evolving client needs;
• Manages conflict and stress.

Teamwork:

• Participates in team-based activities;
• Embraces extra responsibility;
• Helps to build team morale & consensus.

Task Management Skills:

• Produces timely, quality outputs;
• Exercises sound judgment in analysis;
• Develops creative solutions;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Communications:

• Writes clearly and convincingly;
• 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:

• 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;
• Social Media and Open Sources;
• Investigations software;
• Database applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Development (or related areas such as Globalization and sustainable development, Human Ecology) or Law with a focus on the environment, human rights or cultural anthropology.

Experience:

• Experience working with, or a detailed knowledge of, social and environmental accountability mechanisms is desirable;
• Experience working with local communities and civil society organizations is an advantage;
• Experience in communications, outreach, and managing web based reporting and case management system is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
• Fluency in French, Spanish or any widely-used language of countries where UNDP implements projects is an advantage.

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 experience technical issues with uploading your P11 form during the online application, please send it to oai.bids@undp.org   indicating: your name and “P-1 Research Analyst” in the e-mail subject field.

Please note that:

• Applications without P11 form may not be considered;
• Application should be submitted in the English language.