Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.  Visit www.worldbank.org.

As part of the World Bank Group (WBG), the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) shares in the WBG’s overall mission in alleviating poverty and achieving a shared and sustainable prosperity in client countries. INT’s fundamental role within the WBG is to help detect, prevent, and deter fraud and corruption in the use of the WBG’s financial resources, so that those resources are used effectively to benefit the poor people that they are intended to reach. In contributing to the WBG’s overall mission, INT works closely with other stakeholders across the WBG to:
1. Help detect, prevent, and deter fraud and corruption in WBG-supported projects and activities by: 
• Investigating allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, or obstruction (the five Bank-sanctionable practices) in WBG activities; 
• Seeking Bank sanctions against firms and individuals that have engaged in any sanctionable practice; 
• Using information available to INT (including from the Voluntary Disclosure Program) to help operational staff design and implement projects in ways that minimize fraud and corruption risks;
• Working with the WBG’s operational departments and other oversight and control units to help prevent fraud and corruption in operations by distilling lessons learned from investigative findings; developing effective risk identification and management tools; preparing remedial recommendations at the project and broader level, as appropriate, to address risks and issues identified through investigations; and ensuring timely disclosure to the Board of risks identified through ongoing or recently completed investigations that are of relevance to new operations presented to the Board for approval;
• Conducting detailed fiduciary reviews of Bank-supported projects with operations, using forensic methodology to detect indicators of fraud or corruption and help address them as early as possible for better project outcomes; and
• Working with sanctioned entities, through its integrity compliance office, in supporting and monitoring their efforts to put in place appropriate integrity compliance programs in order to raise their integrity standards and reduce risks associated with their operations following their release from sanction.

2. Help client countries to fight fraud and corruption by:
• Referring investigative findings to investigative and enforcement authorities in those countries, and working with authorities to follow-up and take action; 
• Supporting client country counterparts with their preventive and integrity risk mitigation efforts at the project and policy levels; 
• Helping build client country capacity in preventive and forensic techniques; and
• Collaborating in multilateral efforts to mitigate the risks of fraud or corruption in development activities.

3. Enforce the highest standards of professional integrity, and ethical behavior among WBG staff and corporate vendors by:
• Investigating allegations of staff misconduct involving significant fraud and corruption; 
• Investigating corporate vendors alleged to have engaged in sanctionable practices; and 
• Mining the lessons learned from those investigations to undertake training and outreach programs, and also strengthen the WBG’s internal controls environment.

INT’s work contributes directly to achieving the shared prosperity/poverty reduction mission of the WBG. Reducing fraud and corruption in WBG projects helps to ensure that WBG funds are used for their intended purposes: to alleviate poverty and to increase prosperity and stability in our borrowing countries. Working with others in international development institutions, INT’s principal goal is to measurably minimize development assistance funds lost to fraud, corruption, and abuse, and increase the quality and results of development efforts. Results are reported in an annual integrity report that contains aggregated data, outcomes, and generic descriptions of significant cases. To ensure its independence, INT’s Vice President (VP) reports directly to the President of the World Bank.

In pursuit of INT’s core investigative mission, INT is seeking an Investigator to join one of INT’s region-focused external investigation teams.  Candidates are expected to have a track record of objectivity, fairness and thoroughness and can adapt easily to a diverse and multi-cultural work. Candidates must be fluent in written and oral English.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of one of INT Regional Team Leaders and one of two Managers of External Investigations, the Investigator will investigate fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion and obstruction involving WBG operations, including:

1. Reviewing and assessing allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion and obstruction;
2. Leading and conducting investigations, including by collecting testimonial, documentary, photographic and other visual and physical evidence through witness and subject interviews, company audits, site visits, database research, document analysis and integrity risk reviews;  
3. Leading and assisting with pro-active case development, including in collaboration with World Bank operational colleagues, through site visits, witness and source interviews, as well as through the analysis of red flags, indicators, intelligence and data;
4. Joining INT investigative missions or lead investigative activities on the ground, including by collaborating with and advising mission teams and representing INT in hybrid interviews and audits;
5. Analyzing evidence, drafting and assisting with drafting and preparing investigative reports with full supporting documentation;
6. Preparing work products for the World Bank Group’s sanction system, as well as memoranda for law enforcement referrals;
7. Collaborating closely with INT’s Litigation Unit in the preparation and litigation of sanctions cases in the World Bank Group’s sanctions system;
8. Collaborating closely with INT’s Preventive Services Unit in performing outreach initiatives, including by scheduling and planning preventative and lessons learned training with regional operational staff and partners;
9. Contributing to the identification and mitigation of regional integrity risks on a proactive basis, including in collaboration with INT’s Preventive Services;
10. Performing any other investigative activity, as required.

DELIVERABLES:

The Investigator is expected to deliver:

1. Documentary, physical, photographic, testimonial and other evidence.
2. Mission and Investigative Plans and other case-related documents.
3. Interview plans and comprehensive Records of Interviews.
4. Audit Letters, Show Cause Letters, Final Investigation Reports, Case Closing Memos and other briefing materials.
5. Contribute to the preparation of Statements of Accusations and Evidence, Settlement Agreements, Referral Reports, and Evidence Binders.
6. The development of outreach plans, as well as training materials for internal and external stakeholders.

Selection Criteria

1. Fluency in written and oral English; Proficiency in a second language may be considered an advantage;
2. A graduate degree in the areas of law, criminal justice, criminology, business or public administration, or other relevant area; 
3. A minimum of five years of relevant investigative, audit or related experience, including substantial operational experience on the ground/in the field in at least one of the geographic regions of the WBG;
4. A minimum of five years drafting work products, preferably in (i) investigations, audits or litigation; and/or (ii) procurement;  
5. Demonstrated experience and skill with gathering, reviewing and analyzing investigative data; 
6. Proficiency with MS Office software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint); 
7. Proficiency with case management systems may be considered an advantage; 
8. Highest personal integrity with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive investigative matters in a discreet and strictly confidential manner; 
9. Willingness and flexibility to undertake mission travel, including in challenging environments.
INT is a diverse environment in which the major legal systems of the world are represented. The Investigator is expected to have a proven track record for being meticulously thorough, fair, and objective, and to be able to easily participate in an open exchange of ideas between staff from different legal systems and schools and work well in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

Competencies: 
• Investigative Support:  Ensure that all reliable and relevant information and evidence is obtained, reviewed, and analyzed in coordinating an investigation. Responsible for evaluating the significance of research and analytical work products and determining subsequent approaches to investigation. Coordinate and supervise reviews undertaken by junior team members on a regular and systematic basis to ensure high quality investigations. Identify and resolve gaps in the information gathering process.

• Investigative Work-Product Management: Prepare, manage and deliver high quality cases and related investigative work products in a thorough and timely manner and meet appropriate deadlines. Prepare and deliver findings and high quality briefing materials. Maintain case files electronically, and, where necessary or appropriate, in hard copy, to keep track of case status. Ensure accurate record keeping of all relevant documents.

• Investigative Knowledge: Develop and manage investigative strategies to include data collection and investigative planning, both individually and as part of a team. In-depth experience with theoretical and practical investigative collection methodologies and objective approaches to problem-solving. Demonstrated fluency with querying, compiling, and analyzing information across multiple databases. Demonstrated ability to apply innovative approaches to unique problems or investigative circumstances. Skilled in one or more interviewing methods with extensive experience conducting witness and subject interviews, debriefings, and/or depositions. In-depth ability to advise on fraud and corruption indicators and deterrents in public forums and internal communications with WBG management. In-depth understanding of indicators of illicit business practices such as fraud and corruption and its impact on WBG-supported operations or activities. Demonstrated sensitivity to conducting investigative activities as an international civil servant.

• Investigative Prowess: Comprehensive understanding of investigative frameworks and procedures, as well as sound judgment to make recommendations when to continue or conclude an investigation. Ability to develop stand-alone work plans and review work plans prepared by colleagues.  Ability to lead work program development, and assume responsibility for output and deadlines. Ability to manage several different work programs at the same time and link numerous information feeds into a cohesive summary for action/investigation. Ability to leverage a variety of tools to quickly gather and assimilate information into a clear plan of action including identifying preventative measures. Ability to develop and obtain witness testimony as part of an investigation and conduct effective interviews, including confrontational interviews.  Awareness and understanding of the cultural values and beliefs of others, and willingness to tailor own work style to complement others and enhance overall effectiveness of the team.  Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team.  Understands how to formulate recommendations based on stakeholder implications and sensitivities associated with an investigation.

• Lead and Innovate: Contributes new insights to understand situations and develops solutions to resolve complex problems. Adapts as circumstances require and manages impact of own behavior on others in context of WBG’s values and mission. Identifies and pursues innovative approaches to resolve issues.

• Deliver Results for Clients: Adds value by constantly looking for a better way to get more impactful results; sets challenging stretch goals for oneself. Immerses oneself in client experiences and perspective by asking probing questions to understand unmet needs. Demonstrates accountability for achieving results that have a development impact and financial, environmental and social sustainability. Identifies and proposes solutions to mitigate and manage risks.

• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries: Appropriately involves others in decision making and communicates with key stakeholders. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved. Actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches displaying a sense of mutuality and respect. 

• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge: Leverages department’s expertise and body of knowledge across the WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions. Seeks to learn from more experienced staff to deepen and strengthen professional knowledge and helps others to learn. Builds personal and professional networks inside and outside the department unit.

• Make Smart Decisions: Seeks diversity of information and inputs, researches possible solutions, and generates recommended options. Identifies and understands risks and formulates appropriate recommendations. Based on risk analysis makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility, considering the interests and concerns of stakeholders.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.