Investigations Specialist (Open to all applicants).
- Organisation: UNDP
- Location: Panama City, Panama
- Deadline: 13 November 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
• Tier 0 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1 : Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2 : UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated : All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities. It is comprised of the Audit Section and the Investigations Section. The Investigations Section (OAI/IS) is charged with conducting misconduct investigations and with compliance review of UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures and has sole responsibility for the conduct of all investigations within UNDP.
In its performance of misconduct investigations, OAI/IS addresses allegations of misconduct, such as fraud, theft and embezzlement, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, workplace harassment and abuse of authority, retaliation, or other acts or omissions in conflict with the general obligations and policies that govern the conduct of UNDP staff and other personnel. OAI also investigates allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities committed by contractors, implementing partners and other third parties, deemed to be detrimental to UNDP. OAI’s capacity includes specialized SEAH, IT forensics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and proactive investigations units and resources.
As the provider of a professional, secure and reliable mechanism that responds to and addresses reports of possible misconduct or fraud, OAI is the sole and centralized custodian of a unique dataset of information regarding possible irregularities across UNDP’s operations. As such, OAI has a role to play in providing real-time and data-supported advice to management on wrongdoing risks, controls, lessons and mitigation strategies, and to use this information to develop intelligence-led detection, diversion and proactive investigation strategies that prevent and deter wrongdoing without relying solely on received reports.
OAI conducts misconduct investigations in accordance with the Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations endorsed by the 10th Conference of International Investigators, with the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with the United Nations Standards of Conduct, and with the OAI Investigation Guidelines.
OAI’s Investigations Section has established Units, under the supervision of Investigation Chiefs, that are comprised of (a) functionally specialized teams and (b) regionally focused misconduct investigation teams. This structure facilitates the accessibility of specialized functions to the entirety of the Investigations Section under the guidance and leadership of a manager and ensures close and rigorous oversight of investigation matters, also under the appropriate level of leadership
The Investigations Specialist functionally reports to the Investigations Team Lead, Headquarters, Latin America and the Caribbean (HQ/LAC Team) (P4), on investigation issues, under the overall supervision of the Chief, Investigations, Unit 1.
Position Purpose
Under the supervision of the Investigations Team Lead, Headquarters, Latin America and the Caribbean (HQ/LAC Team) (P4), the primary role of the Investigations Specialist is to conduct investigations into alleged wrongdoing that falls within OAI’s mandate, as outlined in ‘Organizational Context’ above.
The primary role of the Investigations Specialist is to conduct investigations into alleged misconduct that falls within OAI’s mandate, as outlined in ‘Organizational Context’ above, and that relates to Latin America.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Provision of Efficient Investigations Management
· Conducts case assessments and/or investigations into allegations in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures and the OAI investigation guidelines.
· Plans investigations to ensure that all appropriate lines of inquiry are identified and investigation resources are used effectively and efficiently to factually determine the issues relevant to an investigation.
· Identifies, collects and analyses information, demonstrating an understanding of information security and confidentiality issues relevant to investigation.
· Collects, records and handles evidence appropriately, ensuring chain of custody and demonstrating knowledge of handling considerations for different types of evidence.
· Uses specialist investigation services as and when appropriate (for example, handwriting analysis, document examination and computer forensics).
· Uses investigative technologies including case management systems, analytical software, open-source intelligence tools and artificial intelligence enabled solutions to enhance investigative efficiency, accuracy and timeliness.
· Interviews witnesses showing appropriate communications skills, accurate recording and verification of testimony through the use of interpreters as required.
· Interviews subjects/suspects in accordance with generally accepted best practice procedures (in order to obtain reliable information, while affording due process).
· Undertakes frequent, and at times extended, missions to UNDP offices worldwide, including areas with hazardous working conditions.
· Ensures that case records, databases, and documentation for matters under the Investigator’s responsibility are accurate, complete, and up to date, supporting institutional accountability and auditability.
· Formulates and recommends case closure decisions, including assessments of evidentiary sufficiency and proportionality, for review and approval by the Team Lead.
· Proposes action to close matters where appropriate.
· Drafts investigation reports of a high standard, providing an objective and factual summary of the investigation, with soundly based conclusions and recommendations.
· Field work and mission travel are mandatory for the position.
2.) Ensure efficient Client Services
• Under the direction of the Investigations Team Lead, Headquarters, Latin America and the Caribbean (HQ/LAC Team) (P4), liaises with the Office of Legal Services (OLS), the Ethics Office, the Procurement Support Office, the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit, and other relevant offices in UNDP.
• Under the direction of the Investigations Team Lead HQ/LAC, liaises with the investigation sections of other international organizations and with national anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
3.) Facilitate knowledge management and other tasks
• Contributes to the ongoing development of professional practices within OAI.
• Assesses the potential for fraud and corruption in UNDP offices and operations.
• Contributes to risk assessment planning.
• Participates in the implementation of his/her personal learning and training development plan.
• Keeps him/herself abreast of the jurisprudence of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).
• Performs other assignments or tasks as determined by the Deputy Director and/or the Chief, Investigations, Unit 3.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
• Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
• Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Direction and Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management-Portfolio Management:
• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
• Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.