Head of Investigations

The Head of Investigations leads and oversees the investigation function within the Division of Internal Oversight Services at UNESCO. The role involves conducting complex investigations, providing expertise on fraud risk management, and managing the investigative team and resources to ensure compliance with organizational standards and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct and plan the investigative activities of the Section by developing investigation plans; deciding on investigative tools and methodologies; conducting complex and/or sensitive investigations; assessing risks associated with investigative activities and ensuring appropriate mitigating or preventing measures.
• Assign cases and tasks to investigative team; provide technical and methodological guidance and performance feedback; ensure due process is respected in investigative processes; prepare and assure quality of investigative reports; maintain investigative records.
• Supervise and perform screening of allegations of misconduct; determine whether allegations fall within IOS mandate; recommend next steps; ensure reliability of records of allegations.
• Define, update and implement investigative procedures and processes; draft or contribute to policy revisions ensuring international investigation standards are met and ILOAT jurisprudence is considered.
• Advise management on fraud prevention measures and response to incidents; respond to requests for information and assistance from organizational entities and external parties respecting privileges and immunities.
• Identify issues requiring management attention and make recommendations on preventive or corrective measures derived from investigative findings.
• Coordinate identification, assessment and monitoring of fraud risks; identify principal fraud risks and influencing factors; map assurance on internal controls; identify areas requiring proactive investigations; prepare periodic reports on fraud risk assessments with recommendations.
• Promote fraud awareness through briefings, trainings and information material; develop visibility and trust in IOS as central intake mechanism for reporting fraud and corrupt practices.
• Manage staff and budget of the section; determine priorities and allocate resources; identify needs and ensure appropriate selection of contractors; prepare budget proposals; ensure staff development through training and mentoring.
• Mobilize internal and external resources to finance or support section activities including operational partnerships, expert training, seconded staff, and contributions for exceptional needs.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Investigations, Law, Management, Auditing, Risk Management, or in any other relevant subject.
• Professional qualification or membership of/certification from, a recognized, professional investigation association, such as the CFE (awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, ACFE), or equivalent.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in investigation or a related area, of which preferably five (5) years acquired at international level.
• At least three (3) years of experience in leading or co-leading an investigation function as Head, Deputy Head, or an Investigation Manager.
• Relevant investigative experience acquired in diverse fields: fraud and corruption, mismanagement, harassment, sexual misconduct, etc.
• Expert knowledge of legal principles applicable to investigative activities with a focus on administrative law and/or criminal law.
• Proven ability to identify key investigation issues and to collect, synthesize, and analyse complex information and technical materials (including data).
• Strong coordination and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills (written and oral) including the ability to effectively deal with various internal/external partners on complex and sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated leadership, management and organizational skills, with proven ability to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to draft investigative reports on complex topics with effectively supported and well formulated conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct sensitive interviews in consideration of due process and duty of care.
• Strong sense of impartiality and objectivity.
• Excellent knowledge (written and oral) of English or French, and very good knowledge of the other language.
• Law Degree (desirable).
• Professional experience in the conduct of investigations in a UN organization or other international organizations (desirable).
• Engagement in professional investigative networks practice groups (desirable).
• Strong knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, UN tribunal jurisprudence, and procedures (desirable).
• Strong experience in protection of sources and victims (desirable).
• Good knowledge of data analytics tools (PowerBI, Tableau, Excel etc.) (desirable).
• Good knowledge of digital forensics tools and digital seizing procedures (desirable).
• Good knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish) (desirable).

Skills

• Investigations
• Fraud and Corruption Investigations
• Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Investigations
• Legal Principles in Investigations
• Administrative Law
• Criminal Law
• Investigation Leadership
• Investigation Management
• Complex Information Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Investigation Report Writing
• Sensitive Interviewing
• Due Process
• Impartiality
• Coordination Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Organizational Skills
• UN System Policies
• Protection of Sources and Victims
• Data Analytics
• Digital Forensics
• Power BI
• Tableau
• Excel

Languages

English, French