Investigator

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.

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• 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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting
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 misconduct and wrongdoing involving FAO personnel and third parties and advice on enhancements to integrity policies of the Organization.

Key Results
Planning and conducting investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and other types of wrongdoing; developing recommendations to support management decisions and improve internal controls over fraud risks; preventing and detecting violations of FAO policies and promoting policies and activities to enhance the integrity of FAO operations in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

Key Functions
• Supports the Senior Investigator (Head of Unit) in managing the investigative caseload by prioritizing cases, reviewing intake assessments and/or preparing casework assignments.
• Leads complex investigation cases; plans, organizes and conducts the investigations in accordance with the applicable rules involving preliminary assessment of complaints, interviews of personnel and third parties, review of documentary and electronic information, analysis of the facts, organization of the evidence and presentation of investigative results including investigation reports.
• When required, provides supervision and guidance to more junior investigators on complex investigation cases; as required, coordinates a portfolio of investigation activities as Team Leader.
• Prepares, revises and updates policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures governing the planning, conduct, evidence collection, report writing and follow-up of preliminary reviews and full investigations at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
• Develops lessons learned, conducts proactive integrity reviews, and develops recommendations for actions to prevent violations of FAO policies prohibiting fraud and misconduct with respect to staff members or third parties; promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO operations.
• As part of OIGI’s quality assurance function, reviews and edits investigation reports and other written outputs, ensuring logical and clear presentation of investigative findings, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions.
• Maintains effective liaison with relevant FAO units regarding specific cases and with external and UN investigators on cases/issues of mutual concern.
• Provides input into the preparation of statistics and periodic reports on investigation matters and analyses on investigation trends.
• Leads and/or contributes to FAO’s awareness and training activities on prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption or on other types of wrongdoing and promotes state-of-the-art investigative techniques and best practices.
• Participates in Organization-wide thematic working groups.
• 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.

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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).
• Seven years of relevant experience in fact-finding/investigatory work preferably, but not limited to, misconduct and wrongdoing by employees, suppliers and partner organizations, including fraud and 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).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Work experience in an international setting is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of investigative experience, especially into alleged fraud and corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment.
• Ability to analyse relevant legal and procedural issues, as well as large volumes of complex evidence, including documentary and financial evidence.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of relevant investigative theories, concepts and approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in advising and/or conducting interviews, delivering presentations, networking, building effective working relationships with stakeholders, and writing/editing complex reports.
• 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.

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

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• 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

• 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

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