Investigation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provides oversight of the programmes and operations of the Organization, through internal audit and investigation. The Office reports to the Director-General and Senior Management on lessons learned, and
promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO's operations.

The Investigation Branch of the Office of the Inspector General (OIGI) investigates allegations of misconduct in the programmes
and operations of the Organization. It is anticipated that OIGI will need to retain incumbents to assist in conducting and supporting investigative activities and related tasks (e.g. intake, policy-related, reporting, etc.). Assignments may cover a number of activities, or be limited to a specific case or other specific type activity. The purpose of this call for expressions of interest is to identify suitably qualified candidates who may be invited to undertake assignments for OIGI, for a period of up to 11 months, with possibility of renewal.

This call is aimed at candidates with various levels of experience, in particular, Investigations Specialists with assignments at of the C and B categories, depending on level of experience. The Investigations Specialists may be located at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome (Italy), with possible missions to the field, or may be home based, as appropriate under the circumstances. 

Reporting Lines

The Investigation Specialist will work under the supervision of the Team Leaders or Senior Investigators (Heads of unit), OIGI, as appropriate.

Technical Focus

•    Conduct of intake, preliminary reviews, and/or investigations and/or provide support to OIGI staff in relation to review and analysis of complaints falling within OIG’s investigative mandate; and/or
•    Support OIGI staff in relation to policy-related activities relevant to OIG’s oversight function; 
•    Support OIGI staff in relation to OIGI’s data management and/or reporting obligations, and/or
•    Support OIGI staff in relation to its quality assessment process.  

Tasks and responsibilities

The specific tasks and responsibilities of each selected incumbent will be defined in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the corresponding assignment.

•    Undertake investigative tasks, according to generally accepted investigative practice, applicable policies, deadlines and deliverables. Assigned tasks and responsibilities may include:
o    Lead or assist in the conduct of intake activities, preliminary reviews and investigations as set out in the FAO Investigation Guidelines, identifying any sensitive issues and proposing course of action.
o    Conduct interviews, gather and analyze information, prepare investigative reports and memoranda presenting facts, analysis, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions.
o    Participate in field missions, as necessary, to carry out investigative activities.
o    Maintain investigative records.
•    Provide input into OIGI policy-related activities. Assigned tasks may include:
o    Contribute to the review and revision of draft policies and internal OIGI products;
o    Contribute to the review and revision of donor contribution agreements and other external materials in relation to topics falling within OIGI’s mandate.
•    Participate in OIGI’s data management activities, and in OIG’s reporting to senior management and/or to Oversight and Finance Committees. Assigned tasks may include collecting data from various sources, including liaising with investigative staff, and preparing outputs in relation to specific reporting requirements.
•    Provide input into OIGI quality assessment activities.  Assigned tasks may include:
o    Reviewing investigative outputs (reports, memoranda) for adherence to applicable policies, procedures, guidelines, 
o    Reviewing investigative outputs for sufficiency of evidence, logic, flow, coherence, and presentation.  
o    Checking exhibits against investigative outputs for correctness;
•    Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

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. A university degree in law or in a subject associated with criminal and/or administrative investigations is acceptable for certain types of assignments.
•    At least five years of relevant experience for category B and at least one year of experience for category C 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 of English, French or Spanish is required. Limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian considered as an asset.

FAO Core 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 is highly desirable.
•    Work experience in an international organization and/or an international setting is considered an asset.
•    Demonstrated ability to write professional documents in a clear and succinct manner in English is highly desirable;
•    Familiarity with data management and processing techniques, and basic understanding of statistics are considered an asset.