ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

JOB SUMMARY

Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
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 serious misconduct and wrongdoing by FAO personnel and third parties and advice on enhancements to integrity policies of the Organization.

Key Results
The planning and conduct of investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and other types of wrongdoing, 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, and the promotion of policies and activities to enhance the integrity of FAO operations in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

Key Functions
• Plans, organizes and conducts investigations at headquarters or Decentralized Offices, in accordance with the applicable rules involving a preliminary assessment of the complaint/allegation, interviews of staff and third parties, reviews 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 investigative findings, facts; circumstances, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions regarding any disciplinary or corrective action.

Written outputs include 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 staff members or third parties and promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO operations.
• Maintains effective liaison with relevant FAO units 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 fraud and corruption in FAO.
• 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.

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).
• 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 (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.
• 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 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.

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 60