Investigator

Job Description - Investigator (2402454)

Job Posting: 02/Aug/2024

Closure Date: 30/Aug/2024, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: OIG

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration: Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number: 2001050

CCOG Code: 1A21

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device.
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.

Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values.

FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Office of the Inspector-General (OIG) provides oversight of FAO's programmes and operations through internal audit and investigations. OIG investigates allegations of misconduct involving FAO personnel and allegations of sanctionable actions involving third parties. OIG's investigation mandate covers misconduct such as fraud, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities; sexual exploitation and abuse; sexual harassment; workplace harassment and abuse of authority; retaliation against whistle blowers; or any other conduct not in conformity with the Standards of Conduct of the International Civil Service. OIG also prepares reports to the Director-General and Senior Management on lessons learned and proactive integrity reviews and promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO's operations.
The post is located in OIG's Investigation Branch (OIGI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. OIGI consists of two units, both headed by a Senior Investigator (Head of Unit): Investigation Operations Unit and Investigation Analysis and Professional Practices Unit. OIGI staff would normally rotate between the two units.

Reporting Lines:
The Investigator reports to a Senior Investigator (Head of Unit), OIGI.

Technical Focus:
Investigations into allegations of serious misconduct and wrongdoing by FAO personnel and third parties and advice on enhancements to integrity policies of the Organization.

Key Results:
The planning and conduct of investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and other types of wrongdoing, the development of recommendations to support management decisions and improve internal controls over fraud risks and to prevent and timely detect violations of FAO policies, and the promotion of policies and activities to enhance the integrity of FAO operations in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

Key Functions:
• Plans, organizes and conducts investigations at headquarters or Decentralized Offices, in accordance with the applicable rules involving a preliminary assessment of the complaint/allegation, interviews of staff and third parties, reviews of documentary and electronic information, analysis of the facts, organization of the evidence, and determines the appropriate presentation of investigative results including the preparation of reports.
• Participates, under the supervision and guidance of a more senior investigator, in complex investigation cases.
• Prepares and edits required written outputs with logical and clear presentations of investigative findings, facts; circumstances, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions regarding any disciplinary or corrective action. Written outputs include investigative plans, records of interviews and investigative reports.
• Contributes to the development of lessons learned, conduct of proactive integrity reviews and development of recommendations for actions to prevent violations of FAO policies prohibiting fraud and misconduct with respect to staff members or third parties and promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO operations.
• Maintains effective liaison with relevant FAO units regarding specific cases and with external and UN investigators on cases/issues of mutual concern.
• Contributes to the updating of policies, procedures, systems and best practices to support the planning, conduct, evidence collection, report writing and follow-up of preliminary and full investigations at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
• Assists with the provision of input into the preparation of statistics and periodic reports on investigation matters and analyses on investigation trends.
• Participates in awareness and training activities on the prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption in FAO.
• Provides input to OIG's quarterly and annual reports and other reporting requirements, including for donor reporting, as relevant to investigation-related activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements:
• Advanced university degree in law or in a subject associated with criminal and/or administrative investigations (candidates holding a first-level university degree in above-mentioned fields may also be considered if possessing two (2) additional years of relevant work experience in fact-finding/investigatory work and a professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction).
• Five years of relevant experience in fact-finding/investigatory work preferably, but not limited to, misconduct and wrongdoing by employees, suppliers and partners organizations, including fraud and other forms of corruption, using investigation techniques and procedures.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Technical/Functional Skills:
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Work experience in an international setting is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in investigations including employee misconduct, procurement fraud and corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment.
• Ability to analyse relevant legal and procedural issues, and documentary and financial evidence.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant investigative theories, concepts and approaches.
• Ability and willingness to travel, including to hardship duty stations.
• A professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction is an advantage for candidates possessing an advanced university degree.

_________________________________________________________________

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

_________________________________________________________________

GENERAL INFORMATION

Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds.
FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection.

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills.
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO's behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application.
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile.
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO's client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

#J-18808-Ljbffr