Chief Investigations Division

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Chief Investigations Division reports to the Director of Internal Oversight Services Department

Responsibilities

• Leads the investigation function of UNRWA (“the Agency”); leads the conduct of preliminary assessments and investigations of allegations of staff misconduct and violations of the Agency’s regulatory framework, including, but not limited to, allegations of fraud and corruption, sexual misconduct, neutrality breaches, harassment and abuse of authority; applies and ensures objectivity, impartiality and fairness throughout investigative processes in accordance with generally recognised international best practices, investigative standards and applicable international administrative law standards.
• Develops, reviews and/or enhances guidelines for the conduct of investigations in the Agency including investigation policy, methodology and practices, including their planning, implementation and reporting in accordance with international professional standards and best practices; reviews and enhances investigation procedures Agency-wide to ensure that they adhere to the highest standards and practices.
• Is responsible for the Investigation Division’s proper functioning, including preparation and monitoring of the divisional annual work plan, staffing and budget allocations; ensures consistent high standards through proper management as well as coaching and motivating staff; where applicable, monitors the work of consultants, ensuring it is consistent with the Agency’s expectations and regulatory framework; oversees the timely reporting on investigation statistics to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversees the Investigations Division’s Case Management System, ensuring that all cases, including cases handled by Field Offices, are promptly, accurately, and completely managed; ensures prompt attendance of all serious fraud and corruption cases, of neutrality breaches and of sexual misconduct cases, and where necessary attend personally to high-sensitive/profile cases; regularly reviews and re-prioritises cases considering their timing and seriousness; pursues digitalisation of processes and workflows and capitalizes on the benefits of emerging technologies to improve efficiencies.
• Provides advice to management, including Fields’ and Departments’ Directors, to ensure that the Agency’s investigation policies, procedures and practices reinforce and promote the standards of accountability in conformity with related UN policies and frameworks; supports the development and maintenance of adequate mechanisms to report misconduct; establishes an effective and efficient mechanism to review the UN tribunal cases that have an impact on the work of the Investigations Division to ensure continuous improvements in the investigations policies and practices.
• Develops investigations awareness programmes in coordination with other related Departments and Offices; coordinates, and may conduct, training sessions to strengthen the Agency’s investigation capacity; disseminates lessons learned from investigations to ensure that risks are adequately mitigated and any systemic vulnerabilities addressed.
• Contributes to cross divisional initiatives within the Department of Internal Oversight Services (DIOS), as well as annual and periodic reports and other strategic initiatives and activities; coordinates with the Internal Audit and Evaluations Divisions of DIOS, as well as other departments, offices or units within the Agency, including the Ethics office, and outside the Agency, for example UN OIOS, to promote synergies in oversight and ensure adequate oversight coverage.
• Keeps abreast of wider UN issuances and international best practices and trends by liaising with professional peers, attending meetings of the UN Representatives of Investigative Services network, conducting research and analysing the impact of such developments on the Agency’s investigations strategies, policies and procedures; and initiates the reviews and updates the relevant Agency’s policy issuances accordingly.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law or a related field.

Work Experience

• At least ten years’ experience in applying internationally recognized investigation techniques is required.
• At least four years in managing a team of investigators, administrative investigations in the United Nations system, or in investigations in the public sector (including prosecutions or a similar function) or a similar system is required.
• At least four years hands on experience in undertaking and/or leading complex investigations of staff member misconduct, including but not limited to sexual misconduct, serious fraud and corruption and preparing and/or reviewing related investigation reports is required.
• Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required.
• Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN/UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post.
• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law or a related field is required.
• Experience in undertaking or leading investigations of neutrality breaches is desirable.
• Knowledge of the law of the international civil service relating to investigations is desirable.
• Working experience liaising with the Rule of Law sector and/or experience in intelligence analysis is desirable.
• Additional possession of the Professional Qualification of Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or equivalent in addition to Field experience in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Application instructions

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