Head of Investigation Unit

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Investigation Service of the Inspector General¿s Office (IGO) has the sole authority in UNHCR to investigate suspected misconduct involving UNHCR personnel, partners, and other parties with whom UNHCR has a contractual arrangement, subject to the conditions in those agreements.
An investigation is a process to gather information in order to establish the facts and conclude whether UNHCR personnel, partners or other parties with whom UNHCR has a contractual link engaged in conduct that may amount to misconduct. The investigation is administrative in nature and not a criminal investigation. It does not make a legal determination about whether the established facts legally amount to misconduct.
The investigations in UNHCR are conducted by trained professional investigators who follow strict internationally recognized investigation standards. The IGO investigation reports are reviewed by the UNHCR LAS as they need to stand up to the standards applied and jurisprudence developed by United Nations tribunals (UNDT and UNAT).
The IGO also performs inquiries in response to incidents involving fatalities of UNHCR personnel or violent attacks on UNHCR personnel, operations or premises where these fatalities, major injuries or large-scale damages result in actual or potential reputational damage or major financial or material losses to UNHCR.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Investigation Service of the IGO, the Head of Investigation Unit works as part of a team on investigation cases assigned to him or her by the Head of the Investigation Service.
The investigative work frequently entails field missions. Some of these field missions are in hardship areas.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Assess allegations of misconduct with a view to determining the most effective investigative approach, cognizant of security risks to all actors implicated in the investigation as well as to UNHCR operations.
• Develop investigation plans and methodologies, including use of the appropriate forensic tools to gather evidence and establish facts.
• Conduct investigations into all types of allegations of misconduct in a timely and effective manner and in accordance with the relevant formal framework governing the conduct of Investigations in UNHCR. This involves gathering and analyzing evidence from available sources, including documentary and electronic records and interviewing witnesses, victims and subjects of the investigation in order to establish the facts.
• Ensure investigations are conducted in compliance with due process requirements, respecting confidentiality, impartiality, sensitivity and a victim centred approach. As a P5 senior investigator in the unit, the most complex investigations will be assigned to the incumbent.
• Prepare investigation or closure reports based on the available evidence and the investigation findings.
• Prepare a Management Implication Reports for the attention of senior management if systemic weakness which may have contributed to the alleged misconduct allegations have been observed during the investigation.
• Liaise closely with DHR and LAS for issues related to staff misconduct investigations and the disciplinary process, as well as with the Ethics Office for cases related to retaliation.
• Internally, interact with a vast range of individuals within and outside UNHCR including UNHCR Regional Bureau Directors and Country Representatives. Externally, interact with other investigation entities in- and outside the UN system.
• Provide advice and guidance to UNHCR personnel and implementing partner staff members on the investigation process and how to report misconduct in UNHCR.
• Assist in building the investigative capacity among UNHCR implementing partners by leading regional workshops and other training sessions as required.
• Mentor, advise and manage IGO personnel assigned to the unit as well as manage and oversee the effective utilization of the resources made available to the Unit.
• Establish and oversee the implementation of systems, administrative and operational procedures and working arrangements for the efficient and timely processing and completion of investigations in the region in line with established procedures within the Investigation.
• Ensure that effective follow-up of recommendations takes place, through established systems and procedures for compliance monitoring and assess the training needs of Investigation staff and make, as appropriate, proposals to the Head of Service.
• Act as focal point for specific areas of expertise / typology of investigation as may be delegated by Head of Service.
• Liaise with the Regional Bureau as well as with country offices in the region, as required for the proper conduct of investigations and other IGO exercises.
• Ensure that appropriate security measures and evacuation plans are in place to protect IGO staff and that security guidelines and procedures as outlined by the Designated Official and UNDSS are complied with.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 – 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Criminal Justice,Criminology, Law, Public Administration, Military, Police Studies, Law enforcement or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Certified Fraud Examiner
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 12 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of investigations. Of these 12 years, at least 7 years in an international environment preferably within the UN System or other international organizations. Experience in conducting investigations into allegations of financial fraud and corruption as well as sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH) investigations. Experience of investigations into fraud and corruption investigations specifically involving UNHCRs implementing partners. Experience of investigations into fraud and corruption in the resettlement process. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of clear and concise reports. Solid knowledge of the UN justice system related to investigations and staff misconduct. Honesty and integrity in the highest degree. Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity and judgment.

Desirable
Field experience in conducting investigations in developing countries. Experience in digital forensic investigations and evidence handling. Experience in the design, organisation and delivering of internal and external training related to investigations.

Functional Skills
FS-Police/military/NGO/Corporate security experience
IG-Investigation
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.