Background

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigation 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 procurement fraud, corruption and bribery, theft and embezzlement, retaliation on whistleblowers, workplace harassment, abuse of authority, reckless or grossly negligent disregard of UNDP regulations, rules, and administrative instructions, that involve UNDP staff, contractors and other applicable persons.  The Investigations Section is also tasked with investigating allegations against parties external to UNDP of financial irregularities committed to the detriment of UNDP.  In addition, OAI undertakes proactive investigations in high risk areas that are susceptible to wrongdoings, fraud and corruption. 

OAI conducts investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations, the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct, and the OAI Investigation Guidelines.

OAI needs to engage and award long-term agreement (LTA) to  a maximum of two skilled and experienced consultants to support OAI/Policy, Quality Assurance and Special Investigations Unit, to call upon as required.  Other technically qualified candidates will be placed in OAI’s Roster of consultants for investigations quality assurance work.

Duties and Responsibilities

Nature of services and scope of work:

The consultant is to provide support to the Policy, Quality Assurance and Special Investigations Unit with the review of draft investigation reports, management letters and other documents produced by the Investigations Section to ensure high quality and legal sufficiency of the work-products.

The specific tasks that will be required of the consultant are:

1. Review draft reports and other work products prepared by the Investigations Section for sufficiency of evidence, accuracy, legal conformity, coherence and appropriateness of recommendations and compliance with OAI’s report templates and report writing style;
2. Based on the above reviews, identify areas for improvement in the quality of reports and other work products;
3. Review evidence gathered during an investigation and ensure that citations to evidence in footnotes of investigation reports and other documents are accurate and complete;
4. Provide proofreading and editorial services, including ensuring compliance with the editing standards of the United Nations and relevant templates.

Deliverables:

Draft reports and other investigation products in MS Word document format with review comments and edits tracked.

Inputs and recommendations for improvement in the quality of reports and other work products.

Institutional arrangement:

The consultant will be tasked by or on behalf of the Investigations Advisor, Head of the Policy, Quality Assurance, and Special Investigations Unit. The work performed by the consultant will be submitted to the Investigations Advisor, Head of the Policy, Quality Assurance and Special Investigations Unit. 

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience