UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN-OIOS provides investigation services to UN Women. While retaining investigation services from UN-OIOS, starting in 2024, UN-Women will establish in-house investigation capacity working under the Internal Audit Service (IAS) of the Independent Evaluation and Audit Services (IEAS). When directed, the in-house investigators will conduct preliminary analysis, integrity reviews, investigations, and lessons learned reporting into alleged fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse of authority or other misconduct and violations of UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions.

The Investigator reports to the Chief, IAS as primary supervisor, and works closely with the Director, Independent Evaluation and Audit Services (IEAS) as secondary supervisor. The Investigator works in close collaboration with the Senior Investigator, IEAS and IAS personnel, Human Resources personnel, Department of Management and Administration personnel, Legal personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Under the supervision of the Chief, IAS the Investigator will conduct and participate in preliminary assessments, integrity reviews, investigations and lessons learned reviews of alleged misconduct including procurement fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse of authority, or other misconduct and violations of UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions. For cases assigned, the Investigator will be responsible for the following:

• Conduct initial reviews and prepare proposed work plans (including on potential tools, interviews, etc.) for review and approval by Chief, IAS;
• Gather and analyze relevant evidence (documentary, physical, electronic, etc.);
• Participate within a team of investigators to interview witnesses, victims, and subjects, using interpreters as required, in accordance with accepted best practices (ensuring confidentiality, reliable information and according due process);
• At the completion of an assignment, prepare a detailed report setting forth the findings, supporting evidence, analysis and evaluation of the evidence, as well as recommendations for next steps; and
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders, both internally (other offices, and divisions) and externally (civil society organizations, suppliers, donors)

 2. Contribute to the maintenance and development of investigation and investigation-related policies, procedures and guidance material, based on applicable best practices and legal developments including maintaining information systems, files and statistics related to investigations.

3. Perform legal and policy research and analysis of evidentiary material gathered for investigation reports, including analysis of the applicable legal norms governing investigations.

4. Provide technical contributions to knowledge management and sharing:

• Contributes to the provision of training and guidance to personnel and partners on integrity and fraud and corruption prevention and detection;
• Contributes to the provide guidance and advice to business units on investigation-related matters;
• Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within the team including the development of investigation standard operating procedures for the effective and efficient conduct of investigations; and
• Participates in the implementation of a personal learning and training development plan.

5. Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the investigation services within UN Women.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The investigation section of the Internal Audit Service will comprise two Investigators. The post has no direct supervisory/managerial responsibility.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated ability to perform investigation services across a wide range of types of misconduct
• Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to administrative investigations.
• Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases.
• Ability to gather evidence and conduct investigation interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise confidentiality.
• Ability to produce timely and quality written outputs.
• Ability to develop creative solutions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively in an international environment and to embrace and promote diversity.
• Ability to listen actively and respond effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft office suite, data analytical tools, Enterprise Resource Planning systems (e.g. Oracle)

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:     

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, investigation, audit/accounting or a related area.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Additional professional certifications (e.g. CFE, CIA, CPA, ACCA) are strongly desirable.

Experience      

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in conducting administrative investigation activities is required.
• At least two years working experience in an international organization is an asset
• Experience with UN policies, procedures and operations is desirable.

Languages       

• Fluency in English is required;
• Good knowledge of French or Spanish desirable;
• Knowledge of additional official UN languages is desirable (Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). 

Special Notice: “In accordance with the UN Staff Regulation 4.5 (b) A temporary appointment does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. A temporary appointment shall not be converted to any other type of appointment. This temporary appointment is budgeted for the period through 31 December 2025.”

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc   Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.