Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Chief Investigations Division reports to the Director of Internal Oversight Services Department ResponsibilitiesLeads the investigation function of UNRWA (“the Agency”); leads the conduct of preliminary assessments and investigations of allegations of staff misconduct and violations of the Agency’s regulatory framework, including, but not limited to, allegations of fraud and corruption, sexual misconduct, neutrality breaches, harassment and abuse of authority; applies and ensures objectivity, impartiality and fairness throughout investigative processes in accordance with generally recognised international best practices, investigative standards and applicable international administrative law standards. Develops, reviews and / or enhances guidelines for the conduct of investigations in the Agency including investigation policy, methodology and practices, including their planning, implementation and reporting in accordance with international professional standards and best practices; reviews and enhances investigation procedures Agency-wide to ensure that they adhere to the highest standards and practices. Is responsible for the Investigation Division’s proper functioning, including preparation and monitoring of the divisional annual work plan, staffing and budget allocations; ensures consistent high standards through proper management as well as coaching and motivating staff; where applicable, monitors the work of consultants, ensuring it is consistent with the Agency’s expectations and regulatory framework; oversees the timely reporting on investigation statistics to internal and external stakeholders. Oversees the Investigations Division’s Case Management System, ensuring that all cases, including cases handled by Field Offices, are promptly, accurately, and completely managed; ensures prompt attendance of all serious fraud and corruption cases, of neutrality breaches and of sexual misconduct cases, and where necessary attend personally to high-sensitive / profile cases; regularly reviews and re-prioritises cases considering their timing and seriousness; pursues digitalisation of processes and workflows and capitalizes on the benefits of emerging technologies to improve efficiencies. Provides advice to management, including Fields’ and Departments’ Directors, to ensure that the Agency’s investigation policies, procedures and practices reinforce and promote the standards of accountability in conformity with related UN policies and frameworks; supports the development and maintenance of adequate mechanisms to report misconduct; establishes an effective and efficient mechanism to review the UN tribunal cases that have an impact on the work of the Investigations Division to ensure continuous improvements in the investigations policies and practices. Develops investigations awareness programmes in coordination with other related Departments and Offices; coordinates, and may conduct, training sessions to strengthen the Agency’s investigation capacity; disseminates lessons learned from investigations to ensure that risks are adequately mitigated and any systemic vulnerabilities addressed. Contributes to cross divisional initiatives within the Department of Internal Oversight Services (DIOS), as well as annual and periodic reports and other strategic initiatives and activities; coordinates with the Internal Audit and Evaluations Divisions of DIOS, as well as other departments, offices or units within the Agency, including the Ethics office, and outside the Agency, for example UN OIOS, to promote synergies in oversight and ensure adequate oversight coverage. Keeps abreast of wider UN issuances and international best practices and trends by liaising with professional peers, attending meetings of the UN Representatives of Investigative Services network, conducting research and analysing the impact of such developments on the Agency’s investigations strategies, policies and procedures; and initiates the reviews and updates the relevant Agency’s policy issuances accordingly. CompetenciesUN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Leadership - Engaging and Nurturing - Delivering Results Functional - Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Deciding and Initiating Action - Leading and Supervising - Relating and Networking - Persuading and Influencing EducationAn advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law or a related field. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least ten years’ experience in applying internationally recognized investigation techniques is required. At least four years in managing a team of investigators, administrative investigations in the United Nations system, or in investigations in the public sector (including prosecutions or a similar function) or a similar system is required. At least four years hands on experience in undertaking and/ or leading complex investigations of staff member misconduct, including but not limited to sexual misconduct, serious fraud and corruption and preparing and/or reviewing related investigation reports is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law or a related field is required. Experience in undertaking or leading investigations of neutrality breaches is desirable. Knowledge of the law of the international civil service relating to investigations is desirable. Working experience liaising with the Rule of Law sector and/or experience in intelligence analysis is desirable. Additional possession of the Professional Qualification of Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or equivalent in addition to Field experience in developing countries is desirable. LanguagesExcellent command of written and spoken English. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent may be required to travel frequently and extensively in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system Inspira will be considered, and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as perthe requirements in the Job Opening. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions will not be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post, when the need arises. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org United Nations ConsiderationsStaff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.