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.

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.

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 misconduct and wrongdoing involving FAO personnel and third parties and advice on enhancements to integrity policies of the Organization.

Key Results
Planning and conducting investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and other types of wrongdoing; developing recommendations to support management decisions and improve internal controls over fraud risks; preventing and detecting violations of FAO policies and promoting policies and activities to enhance the integrity of FAO operations in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

Key Functions
• Supports the Senior Investigator (Head of Unit) in managing the investigative caseload by prioritizing cases, reviewing intake assessments and/or preparing casework assignments.
• Leads complex investigation cases; plans, organizes and conducts the investigations in accordance with the applicable rules involving preliminary assessment of complaints, interviews of personnel and third parties, review of documentary and electronic information, analysis of the facts, organization of the evidence and presentation of investigative results including investigation reports.
• When required, provides supervision and guidance to more junior investigators on complex investigation cases; as required, coordinates a portfolio of investigation activities as Team Leader.
• Prepares, revises and updates policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures governing the planning, conduct, evidence collection, report writing and follow-up of preliminary reviews and full investigations at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
• Develops lessons learned, conducts proactive integrity reviews, and develops recommendations for actions to prevent violations of FAO policies prohibiting fraud and misconduct with respect to staff members or third parties; promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO operations.
•  As part of OIGI’s quality assurance function, reviews and edits investigation reports and other written outputs, ensuring logical and clear presentation of investigative findings, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions.
• Maintains effective liaison with relevant FAO units regarding specific cases and with external and UN investigators on cases/issues of mutual concern.
• Provides input into the preparation of statistics and periodic reports on investigation matters and analyses on investigation trends.
• Leads and/or contributes to FAO’s awareness and training activities on prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption or on other types of wrongdoing and promotes state-of-the-art investigative techniques and best practices.
• Participates in Organization-wide thematic working groups.
• 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).
• Seven years of relevant experience in fact-finding/investigatory work preferably, but not limited to, misconduct and wrongdoing by employees, suppliers and partner organizations, including fraud and 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, is desirable.
• Work experience in an international setting is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of investigative experience, especially into alleged fraud and corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment.
• Ability to analyse relevant legal and procedural issues, as well as large volumes of complex evidence, including documentary and financial evidence.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of relevant investigative theories, concepts and approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in advising and/or conducting interviews, delivering presentations, networking, building effective working relationships with stakeholders, and writing/editing complex reports.
• 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.