Investigations Specialist/Team Leader- RBLAC [Open to Tier 0, 1, and 2 applicants only]

UNDP•Panama City, FL

12h

About The Position

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. The Investigations Section of OAI (OAI/IS) conducts assessments and investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as assault and/or threat, discrimination, fraud, theft and embezzlement, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, workplace harassment and abuse of authority, retaliation on whistleblowers, or other acts or omissions in conflict with the general obligations that involve UNDP staff and other personnel. OAI/IS also investigates allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities committed by contractors, implementing partners, and other third parties, deemed to be detrimental to UNDP. Where vendors are found to have engaged in proscribed practices (including, for example, corruption, collusion, and unethical conduct) OAI provides all relevant evidence to the UNDP Vendor Review Committee for consideration of sanctions against the vendors involved. OAI may undertake proactive investigations in high-risk areas that are susceptible to fraud, corruption and other wrongdoings. OAI/IS has the sole responsibility for the conduct of all investigations within UNDP. OAI/IS conducts investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations endorsed by the 10th Conference of International Investigators, with the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct, and with the OAI Investigation Guidelines. OAI maintains multi-language, toll-free reporting facilities (telephone hotline, web-based reporting facility, email, postal address and other means as appropriate) that function around the clock to facilitate staff, management and others to report any instances of fraud, corruption or other wrongdoings, including sexual misconduct. OAI operates separate mechanisms for the reporting of alleged non-compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures. Position Purpose The Investigations Specialist/Team Leader RBLAC and HQ functionally reports to the Chief, Regional Investigations (HQ & RBLAC) and Investigations Support Team (IST) on investigation cases, under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, Investigations. Under the supervision of the Chief, Regional Investigations (HQ & RBLAC) and Investigations Support Team (IST), the primary role of the Investigations Specialist/Team Leader RBLAC and HQ, is to oversee, supervise and conduct investigations into alleged misconduct that falls within OAI’s mandate, as outlined in ‘Organizational Context’ above, and that is reported within RBLAC and HQ. The Investigations Specialist/Team Leader RBLAC and HQ will supervise the work of the team, including but not limited to Investigations Specialists at the P3 level, and IPSA holders, assigned to the RBLAC and HQ Team, and will complete their annual performance appraisals. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Investigations, Forensics Accounting, Finance, Law or related fields is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, with an additional 2 years’ experience, which will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations or equivalent experience.
Formal professional training in a comprehensive range of investigation-related areas is required.
Specialized training in advanced investigative skills and digital forensics is required.
Specialized training in basic investigative techniques including interviewing, evidence handling, and evidence analysis and report writing, is required
Demonstrated experience in investigating and overseeing investigations of administrative misconduct and/or criminal offenses, including fraud and other financial crimes, sexual misconduct, and workplace standards of conduct violations are required.
Familiarity with open-source, investigative analytic software, and AI tools in furtherance of investigations is required.
Proficiency in oral and written English and Spanish languages is required.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working within an international investigation role is desirable.
Experience communicating and collaborating with multiple parties is preferred.
Experience in managing teams is an advantage.
Experience in conducting risk assessments is required.
Working knowledge of French and Portuguese is desirable.

Responsibilities

As Investigations Specialist/Team Leader RBLAC and HQ, coordinates and conducts the work of the RBLAC and HQ Team, including the work outlined below, to ensure that all appropriate lines of inquiry and associated work streams are identified, and OAI resources are used effectively and efficiently.
In coordination with the Chief, Regional Investigations (HQ & RBLAC) and Investigations Support Team (IST), manages the caseload assigned to the RBLAC and HQ Team.
Oversees, supervises, plans and conducts – for higher priority and complex allegations – investigations into allegations in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures and the OAI investigation guidelines.
Ensures that all appropriate lines of inquiry are identified and investigation resources are used effectively and efficiently to factually determine the issues relevant to an investigation.
Identifies, collects and analyses information, using software, internal data and open-source information relevant to investigations, demonstrating an understanding of information security and confidentiality issues.
Collects, records and handles appropriate evidence, ensuring chain of custody and demonstrating knowledge of handling considerations for different types of evidence.
Uses specialist investigation services as and when appropriate (for example, document examination and computer forensics).
Interviews victims, complainants and witnesses, showing appropriate communications skills, accurate recording and verification of testimony using interpreters as required.
Interviews subjects/suspects in accordance with generally accepted best practice procedures (to obtain reliable information, while affording due process).
Undertakes frequent, and at times extended, missions to UNDP offices worldwide, including areas with hazardous working conditions.
Keeps the Investigation Section’s database and case files up to date on cases under investigation.
Proposes action to close matters where appropriate.
Reviews and edits investigation reports prepared by team investigators and other relevant documents to ensure they are of a high standard, providing an objective and factual summary of the investigation, with soundly based conclusions and recommendations.
Leads and manages the RBLAC and HQ Team and supervises the work of Investigations Specialists at the P3 level, and IPSA holders assigned to the RBLAC and HQ Team.
Assigns, oversees, and closely supervises investigations conducted by investigative team; conducts regular case reviews with team investigators to ensure timeliness and appropriate case management; and quality-assures investigators’ output to ensure editorial, analytical and evidentiary standards.
Plans the work of the RBLAC and HQ Team and distributes workload among the Team appropriately.
Provides senior expertise and advice to the RBLAC and HQ Team so that the work of the Team is performed in the most professional, efficient and timely manner.
Appraises the work performance of the RBLAC and HQ Team.
Recruit personnel for the RBLAC and HQ Team as necessary
Ensure efficient Client Services.
Liaises with the Office of Legal Services (OLS), the Ethics Office, Regional Offices and counterparts, and other relevant offices in UNDP.
Liaises with the investigation sections of other international organizations and with national anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Liaises with the audit section within OAI.
Liaises with the Regional Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean personnel.
Facilitates knowledge management and other tasks
Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI.
Assesses the potential for misconduct in UNDP offices and operations.
Contributes to risk assessment planning.
Participates in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan.
Keeps him/herself abreast of the jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).
Performs other assignments or tasks as determined by the Chief, Regional Investigations (HQ & RBLAC) and Investigations Support Team (IST)and/or Deputy Director, Investigations
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.