Head Investigation

Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME 

The Office of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) reports to the Director-General and is responsible for internal audit, evaluation and investigation services to WHO and affiliated entities. As the sole office in WHO mandated to conduct investigations, IOS conducts independent investigations into allegations of misconduct involving WHO staff, contractors and other applicable persons. IOS conducts investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations endorsed by the 10th Conference of International Investigators, with the WHO legal framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct, and with the IOS Investigation Guidelines, as relevant. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Director IOS, the Head Investigation is responsible for: 

• Formulating and implementing policies and procedures for the management of investigations into allegations of wrongdoing, with a particular emphasis on fraud, embezzlement, theft, corruption, but also other misconducts such as abuse of authority, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, retaliation on whistleblowers, theft, gross negligence or any other type of misconduct involving WHO staff, contractors and other applicable persons, as defined in the relevant policies. 

• Contributing to the formulation of policies and procedures for the promotion of ethical conduct, improving accountability, as well as proper management of resources and the prevention of wrongdoing. 

• Managing the Investigation function efficiently in order to meet the needs of the Organization as well as the expectations of all stakeholders.

• This includes the preparation of a multi-year strategy and annual plans of work, the development of concepts for proactive investigations in high-risk areas, and the management of proper systems for the receipt of complaints from staff, Management and others.

• Planning and directing the conduct of investigations in WHO in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures, ensuring that the resulting reports are of a high quality and issued timely.

• Managing, guiding, and training IOS Investigation staff (and external investigation consultants) and fostering teamwork and communication among staff across organizational boundaries. 

• Liaising and representing IOS with entities within and outside WHO on all matters concerning investigations.

 Strategic: 

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of WHO's legal framework for addressing noncompliance with the WHO Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the International Civil Service Standards of Conduct and other frameworks and standards relevant for the Investigation function.

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• Formulate, monitor and report on IOS' multi-year strategy for investigations. 

• Formulate, monitor and report on an annual plan of work. 

• Formulate policies and procedures for proactive investigation in high-risk areas in order to minimize the risk of fraud and misuse of resources.

• Establish internal policies and procedures in accordance standards for investigations in international organizations. 

• Ensure that there is an effective communication system that is operational 24/7 for the receipt of complaints from staff, Management and others. 

• Designing and maintaining an intake system for categorizing and prioritizing all complaints in terms of risk and complexity and allocate cases to individual investigators to ensure timely completion of investigations.

• Prepare periodic reports on the status and results of investigations (including reporting performance against key indicators), for senior management, and as appropriate, the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee (IEOAC) and the World Health Assembly (WHA). 

• Identify systemic weaknesses and deficiencies encountered in investigations and submit draft reports with recommendations.

• Keep abreast of investigation standards and practices in other international organizations and represent IOS at the Conference of International Investigators, UN-RIS and in other related fora. 

WHO Operational: 

• Maintain systems to intake, assess, prioritize, allocate and track complaints and cases through all investigation stages.

• Ensure forensic, case management and quality assurance functions support timely, well documented investigations and high-quality reports.

• Guide investigators, experts and consultants, directly manage sensitive or complex cases when required, and coordinate with Legal Counsel LEG,), Ethics, Risk Management and Due Diligence and Non-state Actors (ERD), Department of Human Resources and Talent (HRT) in HQ and the regions, and other stakeholders concerned by the investigation process or the investigation results. 

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• Arrange joint or concomitant investigations with other international organizations or national authorities, where appropriate, to support efficient investigations and timely, high-quality reports.

• Support the Director IOS in managing investigation resources, ensuring compliance with relevant rules, proposing resource strategies, maintaining staff competence, and securing additional expertise when required. 

• Lead or support oversight projects, cooperate with IOS and WHO units, serve as Officer-in-Charge when required, and perform other tasks assigned by the Director IOS to promote office efficiency. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

    Education

    Essential: 

• Advanced level university degree (Master or equivalent) in law, accounting, audit, business administration or another directly relevant field.
   

   Experience 

   Essential: 

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in investigations, prosecutions or related oversight functions, including at least five years at the international level.

• Demonstrated experience in investigating or prosecuting complex cases involving fraud, workplace misconduct, proactive fraud investigations or forensic accounting investigations is required.

•  A minimum of five years of managerial experience, including team leadership and oversight of investigation-related work, is required. 

   Desirable 

• Field experience in complex and challenging operating environments. 

• Experience in the United Nations system, Bretton Woods institutions or other comparable international organizations. 

   Skills

• Management and leadership: Demonstrates mature judgment, initiative, tact, impartiality and confidentiality, with strong networking, team building, communication, conflict resolution and strategic planning skills. 

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• Technical knowledge: Brings familiarity with forensic tools and analysis, intergovernmental processes, and strong knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures. 

• Operational effectiveness: Leads strategic planning, results-based management, investigation policy development and the sound application of organizational policies across resources, HR, procurement, ICT and administration, while continuing to develop relevant investigation expertise. 

 WHO Competencies

• Teamwork 

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 

• Communication 

• Ensuring the effective use of resources 

• Producing results 

• Creating an empowering and motivating environment 

Use of Language Skills

     Essential: 

• Expert knowledge of English. 
   

     Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French

• Intermediate knowledge of other WHO languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 117,953 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 8227 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.
• Special selection procedures may apply.
• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO 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 through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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