Investigation Specialist, P-3, Fixed Term Position, #00111347, Office of Internal Audit & Investigation, Investigation Services, OIAI, New York, USA

UNICEF

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is an independent office reporting to UNICEF’s Executive Director and the Executive Board. Within OIAI, the Investigations Service reviews and investigates allegations of misconduct involving UNICEF staff and other personnel, including fraud, theft, corruption, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment, whistleblower retaliation, and other failures to observe prescribed regulations, rules, relevant administrative issuances and standards of conduct. The Investigation Service also investigates alleged wrongdoing including fraud and corruption, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse, committed by third parties including institutional contractors and implementing partners. The position is located in New York. The incumbent, as member of the Strategy, Intake and Analysis Unit, will report to the Chief, Strategy, Intake and Analysis Unit of OIAI’s Investigations Service. Within limits of delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief, Strategy, Intake, Policy and Reporting Section, the Investigations Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the legal quality and sustainability of the Investigations Service's work, with particular focus on ensuring that investigation processes, findings, and written products are grounded in applicable legal principles and relevant jurisprudence.

Requirements

Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Law, criminal investigation and any other related fields. A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in legal activities and/or investigation related functions is required.
Strong legal analytical and drafting skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal analysis clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing;
Ability to provide practical, actionable legal guidance to non-legal professionals in a collaborative and constructive manner;
Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to investigations with good research, analytical and problem-solving skills;
Good drafting and research skills to assist in the preparation of complex reports;
Handles sensitive information with discretion and consistently demonstrates initiative and sound judgment;
Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
Proficiency in English is required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
Experience with policy development, capacity building, evidence evaluation, disciplinary procedures, governance is desirable.
Experience working in an international or multilateral public institution is an asset.
Experience working in or with the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, the United Nations Appeals Tribunal, and/or the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal is an asset. This includes, but is not limited to, experience as counsel, in a registry or case management capacity, or in a legal advisory role involving regular analysis of the jurisprudence of these bodies.
Experience working with administrative sanctions systems within national, international or multilateral public institutions is an asset.

Responsibilities

Reviews work products of the Investigations Service, including investigation reports, together with findings and recommendations including for related disciplinary action, to assess their legal sufficiency, factual integrity, and consistency with applicable legal standards;
Provides legal guidance to investigators on the application of relevant legal principles, procedural standards, and emerging jurisprudence throughout the investigation process, including at the planning, fact gathering and reporting stages;
Develops, maintains, and updates guidance materials, standard operating procedures, and legal reference tools to support investigators in producing legally sustainable work products;
Identifies legal and procedural gaps in investigation practice and recommends policy or procedural improvements to address them;
Designs and delivers training to investigators on legal standards, evidentiary requirements, and best practices relevant to the conduct and documentation of investigations;
Monitors developments in United Nations jurisprudence, General Assembly resolutions, and Executive Board decisions and advises on their operational implications for the Investigations Service;
Conducts legal research on assigned matters, including analysis of investigation files, identification of relevant precedents, and drafting of legal analysis in support of findings and recommendations;
Reviews policies, procedures, and legal agreements issued by other UNICEF business units to identify provisions with implications for the work of OIAI, and provides guidance thereon as appropriate;
Liaises with the Administrative Law Unit and other relevant offices within UNICEF and the broader United Nations system on case-related and policy matters;
Assists fulfilling and responding to the Office's reporting obligations;
Provides advice in relation to UNICEF’s administrative sanctions processes, including by reviewing reports prepared for the Vendor Review Committee and the Implementing Partner Review Board;
Conducts preliminary assessments of complaints and drafts assessment memoranda and related documentation as appropriate.