UN Women - OPEN CALL : Investigations Consultant Roster (various levels and duration), Remote-based

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Under a hybrid model of investigation services, UN Women’s Internal Investigation Function of the Independent Evaluation, Audit, and Investigations Services (IIF/IEAIS), and the external investigation service provider, have authority to conduct investigations for UN Women at Headquarters and offices away from headquarters. When directed, the IIF undertakes preliminary reviews and analysis, conducts investigations into allegations of violations of UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions, including fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse of authority or other misconduct.

The IIF seeks to establish a roster of pre-vetted investigation professionals at various levels of seniority and across relevant areas of specialization to support the implementation of its investigation mandate and objectives.

The Consultant Roster is a deployment mechanism maintaining pre-vetted experts within an area of specialization and related sub-specializations. The roster is established to meet the organization’s growing need for access to expertise and to accelerate delivery.

Candidates who have successfully passed a pre-vetting process are added to the Roster for an initial duration of two (2) years. After two years (2) membership on the roster, the hiring unit will reach out to roster members to request an updated CV/P-11 and confirm continued availability to renew their membership on the roster for an additional two-year period. Extension of membership on the roster is subject to positive performance evaluation for prior assignments, if any. When a consultant has ended their assignment with UN Women with satisfactory service, they are placed back on the roster for an initial period of two (2) years.

Placement on the roster does not constitute an offer of employment or a commitment by UN Women to issue a consultant contract, provide a minimum number of working days, or guarantee any assignment or payment. Roster members may be contacted according to IIF’s operational requirements, the nature and urgency of the assignment, the expertise and level required, availability, geographical or language considerations, and the outcome of any assignment-specific comparative assessment.

Where consulting services are required, one or more roster members whose profiles most closely match the assignment may be invited to confirm their interest, availability, current location, potential conflicts of interest and proposed fee, and may be requested to participate in an additional assessment.

The Investigations Consultant will be assigned specific tasks such as conducting investigation activities and providing quality assurance review of investigation products and files.

The Investigations Consultant will report to the Head of the Internal Investigation Function as primary supervisor. The Investigations Consultant will work closely with other IEAIS personnel, Management and Finance, Legal personnel as well as relevant personnel at headquarters, regional and country offices.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

1.Conducts timely investigations aligned with UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions:

• Conducts preliminary assessment reviews, investigations and lessons learned reviews of allegations of misconduct or violations of UN Women regulations, rules and administrative instructions for cases assigned and under the direction of Head, IIF;
• Plans, organizes, conducts investigations of serious and complex cases of misconduct, malfeasance, mismanagement, waste of resources, abuse of authority, fraud, corruption, and other alleged violations of the Organization's Rules, Regulations and pertinent administrative instructions, as assigned.
• Gather and analyze relevant evidence (documentary, physical, electronic, etc.) and maintain accurate and complete records;
• Conducts interviews and obtains statements (victims, witnesses, and subjects) in accordance with best practice procedures (ensuring confidential and reliable information and according due process); and analyzes information.
• Prepares concise written outputs, including investigation and closure reports, which set forth the findings, supporting evidence, analysis and evaluation of the evidence, as well as recommendations.

2. Provide timely quality assurance review of investigation products and files:

• As part of quality review process, reviews to assist with quality control assurance of complete and concise investigation reports with findings and recommendations, as well as evidence and materials to support disciplinary actions; ensuring the legal sufficiency, clarity, and completeness of investigation.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete records filing of investigation-related materials.
• Quality control of other IIF unit written outputs.

3. Support IIF unit staff with other investigation-related activities and deliverables, as needed.

Payment plan:

The Investigations Consultant will work on an on-demand and as-needed basis. The consultant will be paid on an hourly rate plan based on agreed estimates, upon satisfactory certification of the deliverables.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy.

Official travel is not anticipated but if required, will be discussed with the consultant and paid for by UN Women.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Strong technical knowledge of administrative investigation principles, methodologies, evidentiary standards and due-process requirements.
• Ability to plan and conduct complex and sensitive investigations, including the collection, preservation and analysis of documentary, testimonial and electronic evidence.
• Ability to plan and conduct investigation interviews using appropriate, trauma-informed and procedurally fair approaches, as applicable.
• Strong analytical judgement, including the ability to assess conflicting evidence, identify material facts and develop evidence-based findings and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare and quality-assure clear, concise and legally sufficient investigation reports and related written products.
• Ability to manage sensitive information and multiple case assignments with discretion, sound judgement, accuracy and timely delivery.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law or a field related to investigations. A first-level university degree with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in investigative or related work, including leading complex and sensitive investigations is required. Demonstrated experience managing multiple investigation assignments and coordinating investigative activities involving diverse stakeholders is required. Experience conducting or supporting investigations across countries and regions, including coordination with multiple stakeholders, evidence gathering, and data analysis is required. Experience working in international, multilateral, or other comparable complex operational environments is required. Experience in conducting administrative investigations with the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience with UN policies, procedures and operations is desirable. Experience leading complex criminal or administrative fraud investigations is an asset. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, case management systems and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is an asset.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.