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 Investigation Section of OAI is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as mismanagement, fraud, corruption, retaliation on whistleblowers, workplace harassment, abuse of authority, violation or willful 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 the 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 seeks to engage in a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with suitably skilled and experienced Investigations Analysts (Maximum 3 consultants) to call upon as required from time to time.

Duties and Responsibilities

NATURE OF SERVICES AND SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the Investigations Advisor (GFATM), OAI, the Individual Consultant will undertake the following activities:

  • Researches and analyzes:

    • Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) related cases across countries and regions and over different periods of time to identify patterns, trends and problem clusters.

    • Risks faced by the implementation of GFATM Grants, such as how the risks change over time, how cases are detected and how could they be identified more easily.

    • Reports, graphs and charts on GFATM related information, as part of OAI’s risk mitigation and to advise Country Offices and Bureaux of red flags and raise awareness on fraud and corruption issues.

    • Information pertaining to investigations to aid in the planning of processes and deployment of investigations resources.

    • Information to identify similarities, patterns, trends and problem clusters across different countries and regions to assist in identifying lessons learned from reported cases.

  • Assists in reporting to various internal and external stakeholders and partners on fraud related issues.

  • Provides tactical intelligence support to the Investigations Advisor (GFATM), OAI, particularly on more complex cases.

  • Develops specialized and innovative research techniques, including data mining, forensic analysis and open source searches to identify elusive data sources, internally and externally.

  • Prepares and analyses information to identify emerging trends and risks across the regions in order to strategize pro-active investigations.

  • Maintains reference data and lessons learned from cases reported.

  • Drafts and presents reports and statistics.

  • Assist investigators on complex cases by conducting in-depth analysis (for example, on company structures and individuals) and preparing link charts using specialized software.

  • Assists investigators with case assessments and investigations.

  • Participates in investigations where required, including travel as necessary.

  • Maintains contemporaneous records of all actions undertaken.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

  • Information analysis from internal and external data sources, social media and open source information and develops relevant new data sources.

  • Reconstructed financial data and forensic accounting analysis.

  • Contribute inputs to OAI’s research reference library.

  • Draft research and analysis reports of a high standard, providing an objective and factual summary of the data with soundly based conclusions and recommendations.

  • Presentations on lessons learned to OAI and the Partnership with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.

  • Regular oral and written briefings to auditors, country offices and Bureaux with professional information based on lessons learned, research and analysis and fact-finding results, in order to mitigate risk.

  • Draft memoranda, case assessments, investigations related documents, reports and management letters as necessary and under the direct supervision of the Investigations Advisor (GFATM), OAI.

  • Written investigation-related documents such as assessment reports, closure notes, investigation plans, mission plans, vendor sanctions memos and investigation reports.

  • Timeline and payment milestones will be determined in association with each task/deliverable

Competencies

Communication: The individual consultant should be able to communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.

Professionalism: The individual consultant should be capable of working in a high pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of data and reports accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail; Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Teamwork: The individual consultant should work well in a team; Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks; Focuses on results for the client; and welcomes constructive feedback.

Technical Skills: The individual consultant should be able to draft and edit documents in word and excel in English; French and/or Russian are an asset; Have excellent computer skills; Demonstrates a strong understanding of information security and confidentiality issues relevant to investigations.

Knowledge Management and Learning: The individual consultant should willingly share knowledge and experience and make contributions to UNDP practice areas (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives); actively develop substantive understanding and experience in one or more knowledge areas, including process and/or technical knowledge

Required Skills and Experience

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Advanced university degree in audit, forensic audit, finance, actuarial science, intelligence research and data analysis, investigations, or risk management is required;

  • Minimum of four (4) years of working experience of providing financial analysis, forensic audit and research services in an international organization is required;

  • Working experience with GFATM grant implementation by a United Nations entity is highly desirable;

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in fraud and financial investigations is essential;

  • 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

  • Forensic and Analysis tools

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
  • Fluency in oral and written French is an advantage.
  • Working knowledge in Russian or Spanish is desirable.

HOW TO UPLOAD REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Interested applicants must:

  • Use the cover letter part provided in this UNDP Job site;

  • Upload P11 into the UNDP job-site;

  • Applicants who are invited to interview will be asked to submit their financial proposal into the designated email address: oai.bids@undp.org  within the given deadline prior to the interview date;

  • TOR, P11 template, Financial proposal template and Procurment Notice with details on evaluation criteria are posted in the UNDP Procurment Website with the link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=45449