TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT: Head of Intake and Reporting, Investigation Branch, Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS), New York, P-4

The Position:

The Head of Intake and Reporting manages the registration and triage of the complaints or reports of wrongdoing to UNFPA’s Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS). The position is responsible for regular internal and external reporting on cases handled by OAIS and for monitoring applicable donor disclosure requirements associated with matters as they are reported to OAIS.

You will report directly to the Director, OAIS.

How You Can Make a Difference

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose

OAIS is an operationally independent office at UNFPA and reports to the Executive Director of UNFPA. The Office is responsible for supporting the achievement of the objectives of UNFPA by contributing to the improvement of its operations, risk management and results through its internal audit, investigation, and advisory services. OAIS is composed of the Office of the Director, an Internal Audit Branch and an Investigation Branch, composed of two Investigations Units. It is the sole office authorized to perform, manage or authorize investigations at UNFPA.

The Intake and Reporting Section (“the Intake Section“) sits within the Investigations Branch and the Head of Intake and Reporting is responsible for the overall management of the Section. The Intake Section ensures that OAIS receives, triages, registers, acknowledges and assesses all reports of wrongdoing made to OAIS. The assessment determines which of the complaints received falls within the mandate of OAIS by either closing, referring to another unit or entity, or designating the complaint for investigation. As such, the Intake and Reporting Section holds a critical role in the proper conduct of OAIS’ internal and external investigations. The Intake Section also tracks, collects, aggregates and summarizes data related to OAIS’ work, enabling OAIS to report on patterns, risks and trends of wrongdoing in UNFPA operations. Finally, the Intake Section assists in investigation-related policy development and implementation at OAIS, keeping OAIS in line with UNFPA policy, donor requirements, investigative best practices, and the victim-centric approach.

You Would Be Responsible For

• Key Outcome: Intake and assessment of complaints and reports of wrongdoing managed efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure efficient and timely receipt, registration and acknowledgement of all complaints of wrongdoing and misconduct at UNFPA.
• Supervise and provide guidance to the Investigations Analysts in the Unit, ensuring their work conforms to established standards and procedures and is properly documented.
• Review preliminary assessments and recommendations from Investigations Analysts to decide whether complaints/reports fall within the mandate of OAIS or not.
• Work in collaboration with the Investigation Units Chiefs, in assigning new cases and/or reassigning legacy cases based on the strategy adopted to address the current backlog of cases and to prevent a backlog build up.
• Prepare annual workplans and budgets for the Intake Section and ensure that all available financial and human resources are managed and used in the most cost-effective manner.
• Assist in annual self- assessment and an external quality assessment every five years to obtain assurance that the Investigation Branch consistently conforms to the general standards in the professional practice of investigation.
• In close collaboration with the Investigative Unit Chiefs, lead and promote proactive collaboration and performance; stimulate team-building and promote team-work, encourage open communication and dialogue; support active participation and interaction at all levels; and inspire and support innovation.
• Assist in managing the backlog of pending cases

Expected result: Timely, efficient and effective receipt and processing of all complaints or reports of wrongdoing and staff misconduct made to OAIS, enabling a strong basis for OAIS high quality and expeditious investigative work.

• Key Outcome: OAIS Management advised on addressing cases, non-cases, referral decisions, and measures for UNFPA to prevent and respond to wrongdoing and staff misconduct at UNFPA.
• Make recommendations on corrective actions in response to matters received that do not fall under OAIS jurisdiction, and provide, as necessary, advice and guidance to UNFPA units and initiatives.
• Ensure that referrals of matters to other divisions within UNFPA or to other UN agencies occurs promptly and efficiently with, where applicable, precise and actionable recommendations.
• Provide guidance and opportunities for staff development as it relates to report registration, preliminary assessments, case documentation and reporting, and investigative work.
• Collaborate actively with OAIS Internal Audit and Quality Assurance, Policy and Reporting Units on, e.g., work planning, risk assessment, sharing systemic findings and recommendations, and performing forensic data testing as basis for reporting to the Executive Director, the Oversight Advisory Committee, and the Executive Board.
• Monitor the implementation of recommendations made by the investigation function to UNFPA offices.
• Participate as necessary in special projects related to oversight and collaborate with other units in OAIS and other offices in UNFPA to build trust and organizational synergy to improve organizational impact.
• Contribute to the development and application of systems and mechanisms to foster accountability and ethical conduct, as well as appropriate management of resources and prevention of wrongdoing.

Expected result: Intake Section contributes to OAIS’ overall internal oversight efforts and impact on UNFPA operations and programs, ensuring that UNFPA mitigates and responds to risks of wrongdoing and staff misconduct.

• Key Outcome: Timely gathering, review, analysis and production of wrongdoing and case data in support of OAIS reporting requirements.
• Ensure that the intake and registration of reports of wrongdoing is complete, including all initial necessary clarifications, relevant funding sources and agreements from complaints are appropriately documented and regularly and accurately uploaded in the OAIS systems, case folders, and other data repositories.
• Develop, improve and maintain, as necessary, the OAIS case management and monitoring system for the effective tracking, management and reporting on cases at all stages of investigation.
• Supervise the regular and accurate input of data into OAIS investigative systems, inclusive of data related to the implementation of OAIS’ victim-centric approach in sexual misconduct and prohibited conduct cases.
• Identify and monitor all applicable donor reporting and disclosure requirements, registration of case data on shared United Nations systems (such as the iReport SEA Tracker), and internal UNFPA information exchange arrangements.
• Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the activities and work outputs of the Investigation Branch to facilitate management of information and timely reporting to UNFPA senior management, the Oversight Advisory Committee, the Executive Board, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in OAIS’ drafting, review and production of OAIS reports and/or presentations required by UNFPA’s Oversight Policy, Disciplinary Framework and the OAIS Charter.
• Monitor actions taken by management on investigation recommendations, assess the adequacy of their responses, and prepare periodic reports thereon.

Expected result: Objective and complete assessment of complaints/reports that is well-documented in a well-maintained OAIS systems as basis for the efficient conduct of investigation work, preparation of accurate reports, and proactive monitoring and validation of actions taken by Management on results of the work of the Investigation Branch.

• Key Outcome: Regular monitoring, adherence and input to UNFPA and broader investigation-related policies, practices and procedures.
• Keep abreast of developments in the investigation profession and propose, as necessary, improvements and innovations in investigative practices, particularly as they relate to intake and triage of complaints and donor reporting.
• Track and monitor donor reporting requirements as they relate to wrongdoing or misconduct committed under specific funding agreements; ensure that timely notifications, where applicable, are prepared.
• Review Investigation Branch case files and case management system for completeness and adherence to applicable policy and best practice.
• Compile and disseminate within Investigations Branch guidance and policies, including but not limited to, new policies implemented across UNFPA, Administrative Issuances within the United Nations system, relevant United Nations Dispute and Appeals Tribunal judgements or decisions, changes in jurisprudence, and guidance manuals related to investigations.
• Design, improve and maintain, as necessary, OAIS’ Standard Operating Procedure for Intake to ensure compliance with policy and evolving best practice.
• Supervise Investigations Analysts on research activities on into wrongdoing and misconduct trends, patterns, lessons learned and actions to mitigate future risks.

Expected result: The Director of OAIS, Chiefs of Investigations Units, Investigation Specialists, Investigation Analysts and Investigation Consultants are informed of and can apply or implement all applicable UNFPA policies, United Nations jurisprudence, and investigative best practice throughout the course of their investigative work

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director, OAIS.
• Assist the other Chiefs of the Branch and the Director in addressing issues raised by clients and other stakeholders.
• Undertake, as needed, the investigative activities for specific cases in support of the cases investigated by OAIS investigators or as assigned specifically to the Head of Section themselves.
• Perform special reviews and other tasks assigned by the Director, OAIS.

Expected result: The Director of OAIS and Chiefs of Investigations Units receive timely and effective assistance in addressing day-to-day issues arising from investigative work and operations.

Education

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced university degree in law, criminology or closely related fields. A first level university degree with a combination of significant relevant education, professional certification(s), training and experience in the field of investigations may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Formal training and/or certification in law enforcement methodologies, an asset. Admission to the Bar or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), highly desirable.

Knowledge And Experience

• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations, with a proven track record in leading, planning, executing, and reporting on investigations, including as a case lead investigator, as well as several years of experience in managing multi-disciplinary investigation teams.
• Proven ability to rapidly assess complex allegations of wrongdoing conduct, assign investigative tasks, and accurately analyze, assess and summarize findings, observations and make investigation-related recommendations.
• Demonstrated advanced experience in investigating white-collar crime and coordinating investigations or investigative functions; demonstrated experience in investigating fraud and other fraudulent activities, any proscribed practices, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment (work/sexual), abuse of authority and other forms of wrongdoings.
• Proven ability to conduct and lead complex investigations and to analyse, assess, and summarize investigation findings, observations, and recommendations quickly and accurately.
• Good knowledge of international civil service law, as it relates to UN policies, procedures and jurisprudence relevant to administrative investigations and decisions and rulings of the relevant tribunals highly desirable.
• Experience in an International Organization (UN system or multilateral context) highly desirable.
• Experience in conducting investigations in the public sector in developing countries, including prosecutor or ‘juge d’instruction’ similar function, highly desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English required, with proven ability to express well verbally and in writing.
• Good knowledge of other UN official languages (French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian), highly desirable.

Values

Required Competencies:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies

• Excellent knowledge of investigation principles and their application,
• Excellent investigation interviewing skills,
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills,
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing, and ability to draft and edit clear and concise reports in English,
• Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given,
• Ability to plan work and manage conflicting priorities for self and others,
• Ability to respond effectively to stress, situations of ambiguity, and difficult situations; as well as to manage conflicts, negotiate and resolve disagreements.

Compensation And Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.