Investigation Manager, P-4, FTA, Office of Internal Audit & Investigation

About the Role

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) conducts investigations to examine and determine the veracity of all allegations received concerning corrupt and fraudulent practices and allegations of misconduct that involve UNICEF staff, consultants, non-staff personnel and institutional contractors. OIAI’s investigations cover all forms of misconduct including, but not limited to, fraud, corruption, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and failure to observe prescribed regulations, rules, relevant administrative issuances and standards of conduct.

Based in Nairobi and under the supervision of the Chief of Investigations, the Investigations Manager carries out complex and sensitive investigations and, as required, provides management and technical oversight of assigned investigative capacity, including through matrix management arrangements.

Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks

1. Undertaking preliminary assessments and planning investigations:

• As delegated, conduct informal discussions with victims, perform preliminary assessments and/or formulate investigation plans to ensure that all appropriate lines of inquiry are identified and that investigation resources are used effectively and efficiently in undertaking the investigation.
• Identify appropriate investigative strategies, methodologies, confidentiality requirements and resource needs at the outset of each matter.
• Where relevant, coordinate investigative inputs from staff, consultants or specialist personnel working under matrix management arrangements, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, reporting lines and quality standards.

2. Leading investigations:

• Plan and direct investigations in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures, including by coordinating investigative tasks carried out by staff or consultants, as required.
• Personally conduct investigations. Ensure that investigations are timely and of required quality, in compliance with established OIAI procedures.

3. Managing the Sexual Misconduct Portfolio:

• Manage, guide and provide technical oversight to investigators attached to the Sexual Misconduct Portfolio responsible for initial handling of all complaints of a sexual nature received by OIAI, including allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, and other sexual misconduct. Ensure that such complaints are assessed, prioritized, assigned, investigated, reported and closed in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, OIAI procedures, due process requirements, confidentiality obligations, and a victim-centred and trauma-informed approach.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, performance feedback, mentoring and quality assurance to team members, including personnel operating under matrix management arrangements, coordinate case allocation, monitor caseloads and timelines, and ensure consistency, sensitivity and quality in investigative practice.
• Escalate complex, high-risk or sensitive matters to the Chief of Investigations and/or Head of Investigations, as appropriate.
• Liaise with relevant internal stakeholders, including the Administrative Law Unit, Ethics Office, Division of People and Culture, Child Safeguarding, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse focal points, and other offices as required, while preserving OIAI’s independence and confidentiality; contribute to policy, procedural and methodological development relating to sexual misconduct matters.

4. Reporting investigation findings:

• Prepare reports detailing investigation findings that are submitted to the Chief of Investigations and the Quality Assurance Team for final review before submission to the Head of Investigations of OIAI for approval. Prepare closure memos or appropriate closure documents for cases that do not meet the threshold for full investigation, for approval by the Chief of Investigations, Quality Assurance Team (when required) and Head of Investigations of OIAI.

5. Management of data on reported allegations:

• Ensure information from cases is input to the investigations database accurately and on a timely basis for all cases assigned.

6. Training, awareness-raising and client services:

• As allocated, prepare information and training materials for investigators, auditors and UNICEF staff on the prevention, detection and reporting of fraud, misconduct and sexual misconduct. Make awareness-raising presentations to staff in UNICEF offices. Liaise with the Legal Office, the Ethics Office, and other relevant offices.

7. Other tasks:

• Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Investigations, including in support of policy development or advice to other UNICEF offices.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in Law, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics and any other related fields is required. A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years (at least three of which are at the international level) of progressively responsible professional work experience in planning, leading and undertaking complex and sensitive investigations in government, non-profit organizations, and/or the private sector is required.
• Experience applying victim-centred, trauma-informed and confidentiality-sensitive approaches in the assessment and investigation of such matters is essential.
• Experience in modern investigation techniques, including use of automated tools and technology-enabled investigative methods is required.
• Experience in handling allegations of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or other complaints of a sexual nature is required.
• Demonstrated experience in managing or supervising investigators, multidisciplinary teams, or specialist investigative functions is required, including experience providing technical guidance, quality assurance and performance feedback.
• Skills: Strong analytical judgment; planning and managing complex investigations; victim-centred and trauma-informed investigative practice; quality assurance oversight; investigation report writing; confidentiality-sensitive case handling; use of modern investigative tools and technology-enabled methods; and ability to work collaboratively across functions while preserving investigative independence.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish), but particularly French or Arabic is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
• Experience of working in developing countries and in international development is highly desirable.
• Experience conducting administrative investigations within an institutional, employment or workplace accountability framework is highly desirable, including investigations into staff misconduct, failure to comply with organizational rules and regulations, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, retaliation, fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and other breaches of standards of conduct.