Investigator

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.

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.

The position is located in OIG's Investigation Branch (OIGI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Investigator reports to the Senior Investigator (Head of Unit) or an Investigator (Team Leader).

Technical Focus

Intake of, and/or investigations into, allegations of serious misconduct and wrongdoing by FAO personnel and third parties and in line with internal standard operating procedures and relevant rules.

Key Results

The intake of complaints and/or investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and other types of wrongdoing, and 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.

Key Functions

•          Undertakes the intake and assessment of incoming complaints/allegations. This includes reviewing the information received, and when necessary, obtaining additional information from the complainant to determine whether the complaint/allegation falls within the mandate of OIG or whether the matter would be more appropriately handled by another FAO office.
•          Participates in the planning, organizing and conduct of investigations at headquarters or Decentralized Offices, in accordance with the applicable rules involving a preliminary review of the complaint/allegation, interviews of personnel and third parties, review 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 intake and assessment of complaints, investigative findings, including relevant facts; circumstances, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions regarding any disciplinary or corrective action. Written outputs include referral documents upon finalization of the assessment process, 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 personnel or third parties and promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO operations.
•          Maintains effective liaison with relevant FAO Divisions, Offices and Centres (DOCs) in the context of the intake assessment and/or investigation process 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 misconduct including fraud, corruption, abusive conduct and sexual misconduct in FAO.
•          Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

•               Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) 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 (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - 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 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 hardship duty stations.
•          A professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction is an advantage for candidates possessing an advanced university degree.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.