Senior Investigation Specialist

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

July 11 2025

Senior Investigation Specialist

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The ultimate aim of the IGO is to support the effective efficient and accountable management of UNHCR operations and to play a positive role in upholding an environment of integrity in UNHCR by contributing to the maintenance of the highest standards of personal and professional conduct by UNHCR personnel and all entities with contractual links to UNHCR.

The Investigation Service working under the authority of the Inspector General has responsibility for carrying out investigations into possible misconduct within UNHCR in a timely and appropriate manner and that findings are transmitted to the Inspector General.

The Senior Investigation Specialist reports to the Head of Unit and works independently or as part of a team on investigation cases assigned to him or her by the Head of the Investigation Service. The Senior Investigation Specialist has extensive contacts with all levels of staff within UNHCR as well as with staff from other organisations governments NGOs and with UNHCR beneficiaries.

An important aspect of the position is to expand the IGOs investigation capacity efficiency and strategic reach. The post will serve to enhance the IGOs focus and response to investigations notably in the region.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter UNStaff Regulations and Rules UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Reports received by the IGO on possible misconduct are efficiently and properly assessed to identify the appropriate investigative approach / plan to establish the facts relevant to the case.

• Design and monitor quality standards and procedures for all steps in the investigation process.

• Act as a focal point for specific areas of expertise or typology of investigation as may be required and/or delegated by the Head of Service.

• Conduct investigations into allegations of misconduct as assigned in a timely and effective manner and in accordance with the Administrative Instruction on Conducting Investigations in UNHCR and UN/UNHCR policies undertaking field missions when required. This may involve gathering evidence from available sources including electronic and e-mail records interviewing witnesses as well as interaction at all levels with external actors (other UN agencies/embassies/missions/implementing partners etc.) as well as UNHCR personnel.

• Conduct investigation interviews (complainants witnesses subject matter experts and subjects) in accordance with Administrative Instruction on Conducting Investigations UN Administrative Instructions and the framework of Administration of Justice within the UN.

• Gather and analyse physical evidence including forensic evidence to establish facts.

• Prepare reports based on the available evidence and the investigation findings such as: Investigation Reports in cases of misconduct; Closure Reports where no misconduct has been established; and Management Implication Reports on systemic issues (e.g. procedural or management issues) identified during the investigation.

• Liaise with different units within UNHCR e.g. DPM Ethics Office DIST etc. in relation to the investigation function

• Provide advice and guidance to staff members on how to report misconduct and as may be required how to assist in conducting preliminary assessments / investigations.

• Undertake training activities on investigations for UNHCR and partner agency staff and develop and deliver training as may be required.

• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate as needed. If a Risk Owner designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year as needed.

• Perform any other tasks in the interest of UNHCR as requested by the Head of Unit Head of Investigation Service or the Inspector General.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P4 - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Criminal Justice Criminology; Law; Public Administration;

Military; Police Studies; Law enforcement

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Certified Fraud Examiner;

(Field(s) of Certificates and/or Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Minimum 9 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of administrative misconduct or criminal investigations. preferably with an exposure to an international environment such as the UN Common System or other international organizations. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing including the preparation of clear and concise reports. Working knowledge of UN administrative disciplinary rules and regulations. Honesty and integrity in the highest degree. Resourcefulness initiative maturity and judgment.

Desirable

Familiarity with UN justice system and knowledge of the law of the international civil service as related to investigations and staff misconduct. Field experience in developing countries with direct responsibility for performing investigations into misconduct such as Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) sexual harassment fraud and corruption. Experience in digital forensic investigations and evidence handling. Experience in the design organisation and delivering of internal and external training related administrative investigations.

Functional Skills

*LE-Forensic Audit and/or Fraud Examination

LE-Digital forensic tools methodologies protocols and techniques

FS-Police military NGO Corporate security expertise

RC-Enterprise content and records management systems

SC-UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures

TR-Training/Coaching/Facilitation

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

Core Competencies:

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Strategic Planning and Vision

Managing Resources

Managing Performance

Cross-Functional Competencies:

Analytical Thinking

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

It is essential that the incumbent has sufficient training and experience in applying relevant digital forensics tools and while there is no need for the incumbent to be a forensic expert a broad understanding of the role and application of digital forensic methods in the context of investigative work is essential. Similarly the incumbent should have a clear understanding of witness protection challenges and their possible solutions.
The desired candidate for this position MUST have one of the below characteristics:
1)In addition to English the incumbent must be able to conduct investigations in Arabic; or
2)In addition to English the incumbent must be able to conduct investigations and draft investigation reports in French; or
3)In addition to English the incumbent the incumbent must be able to conduct investigations and draft investigation reports in Spanish; or
4)Legal degree and proven experience in assessing Protection Against Retaliation requests. In depth knowledge and understanding of the constituting elements of retaliation as defined in the UNHCR Administrative Instruction on Protection against Retaliation; or
5)Proven experience in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools related to investigative tasks. In-depth knowledge of AI prompts drafting; or
6)Proven recent experience in investigating complex cases of procurement or financial fraud involving UNHCR personnel or Implementing Partners and suppliers/vendors.
Any additional language abilities will be considered an asset.

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link: of Position:

The Investigation Service of the Inspector Generals Office (IGO) has the sole authority in UNHCR to investigate suspected misconduct involving UNHCR personnel partners and other parties with whom UNHCR has a contractual arrangement subject to the conditions in those agreements. An investigation is a process to gather information in order to establish the facts and conclude whether UNHCR personnel partners or other parties with whom UNHCR has a contractual link engaged in conduct that may amount to misconduct. The investigation is administrative in nature and not a criminal investigation. It does not make a legal determination about whether the established facts legally amount to misconduct. The investigations in UNHCR are conducted by trained professional investigators who follow strict internationally recognized investigation standards. The IGO also performs inquiries in response to incidents involving fatalities of UNHCR personnel or violent attacks on UNHCR personnel operations or premises where these fatalities major injuries or large-scale damages result in actual or potential reputational damage or major financial or material losses to UNHCR.

This position sits in the IGO office located within the UNHCR Country Office in Rome Italy and will report to the Head of Investigation Service in Geneva. The incumbent of this position will work on a variety of misconduct investigations into allegations such as financial fraud corruption resettlement and registration fraud sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH). This involves gathering and analyzing evidence from available sources including documentary and electronic records interviewing witnesses victims and subjects of the investigation in order to establish the facts. The investigative work may entail field missions including to hardship areas.
As an IGO staff member the incumbent will provide advice and guidance to UNHCR personnel and implementing partner staff members on the investigation process and how to report misconduct in UNHCR. The incumbent assists in building the investigative capacity among UNHCR implementing partners by leading regional workshops and other training sessions as required.

Living and Working Conditions:

Rome is an H category duty station with a variety of private schools for staff members with families. The living and working conditions are very good.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FS-Police military NGO Corporate security expertise LE-Digital forensic tools methodologies protocols and techniques LE-Forensic Audit and/or Fraud Examination RC-Enterprise content and records management systems SC-UN/UNHCR Procurement Rules and Procedures TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

Bachelor of Arts: Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts: Criminology Bachelor of Arts: Law Bachelor of Arts: Law Enforcement Bachelor of Arts: Military Bachelor of Arts: Police Studies Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration

Certifications

Certified Fraud Examiner - Other

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Judgement & decision making Managing performance Managing resource Organizational awareness Planning & organizing Political awareness Strategic planning & visions Teamwork & collaboration

Add. 1 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance