Head Investigation

Global Roles; Genf; Hybrid; CHF 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

World Health Organization seeks a Head of Investigation to lead policy formation, strategy, and management of misconduct investigations across staff and contractors. The role oversees investigations, liaises with stakeholders, and guides staff and external consultants to ensure ethical conduct.

The candidate should have an advanced degree in law or related field, 15+ years in investigations/oversight, and strong leadership, with English essential and French desirable.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in law or related field.
• At least 15 years in investigations/oversight roles, including 5+ years international experience.
• Experience leading investigation teams and managing complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement policies for investigations into wrongdoing.
• Lead and direct the IOS Investigation staff and external consultants.
• Plan multi-year strategies and annual work plans for the function.
• Ensure timely, high-quality investigation reports for senior management.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on investigation matters.
• Maintain systems for complaint intake, prioritization and tracking.

Skills

Investigation Mgmt

Fraud Investigation

Forensic Accounting

Prosecutions

Oversight Functions

Team Leadership

Strategic Planning

Policy Development

Results-based Mgmt

Forensic Tools

Intergovernmental Processes

UN System Policies

Conflict Resolution

Communication

Networking

Field Experience

Audit

Law Expertise

Education

Master's degree in law, accounting, audit, business administration or related field

Job description

The Head Investigation leads the management and strategic direction of the investigation function within WHO's Office of Internal Oversight Services. The role involves formulating policies, managing investigations into misconduct including fraud and abuse, overseeing staff and consultants, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accountability and ethical conduct.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement policies and procedures for managing investigations into allegations of wrongdoing including fraud, embezzlement, theft, corruption, abuse of authority, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, retaliation on whistleblowers, gross negligence and other misconduct involving WHO staff and contractors.
• Contribute to policy formulation for promoting ethical conduct, accountability, resource management and prevention of wrongdoing.
• Manage the Investigation function efficiently to meet organizational needs and stakeholder expectations, including preparing multi-year strategies and annual work plans.
• Develop concepts for proactive investigations in high-risk areas and manage complaint receipt systems.
• Plan and direct investigations ensuring high-quality and timely reports.
• Manage, guide, and train IOS Investigation staff and external consultants, fostering teamwork and communication.
• Liaise and represent IOS with internal and external entities on investigation matters.
• Contribute to improving WHO's legal framework for addressing noncompliance with ethical standards and international civil service standards.
• Establish internal policies and procedures aligned with international investigation standards.
• Ensure effective 24/7 communication systems for complaint intake and case prioritization.
• Prepare periodic reports on investigation status and results for senior management and oversight bodies.
• Identify systemic weaknesses and recommend improvements.
• Keep abreast of investigation standards and represent WHO in international investigator forums.
• Maintain systems for complaint intake, assessment, prioritization, allocation and tracking through investigation stages.
• Ensure forensic, case management and quality assurance support for investigations.
• Guide investigators and coordinate with Legal Counsel, Ethics, Risk Management, Human Resources and other stakeholders.
• Arrange joint investigations with other organizations or authorities as appropriate.
• Support resource management, staff competence, and expertise acquisition for investigations.
• Lead or support oversight projects, serve as Officer-in-Charge when required, and perform other tasks to promote office efficiency.

Requirements

• Advanced level university degree (Master or equivalent) in law, accounting, audit, business administration or another directly relevant field.
• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in investigations, prosecutions or related oversight functions, including at least five years at the international level.
• Demonstrated experience in investigating or prosecuting complex cases involving fraud, workplace misconduct, proactive fraud investigations or forensic accounting investigations is required.
• A minimum of five years of managerial experience, including team leadership and oversight of investigation-related work, is required.
• Field experience in complex and challenging operating environments is desirable.
• Experience in the United Nations system, Bretton Woods institutions or other comparable international organizations is desirable.
• Demonstrates mature judgment, initiative, tact, impartiality and confidentiality, with strong networking, team building, communication, conflict resolution and strategic planning skills.
• Familiarity with forensic tools and analysis, intergovernmental processes, and strong knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Leads strategic planning, results-based management, investigation policy development and the sound application of organizational policies across resources, HR, procurement, ICT and administration, while continuing to develop relevant investigation expertise.
• Expert knowledge of English is essential.
• Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable.
• Intermediate knowledge of other WHO languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish is desirable.

Skills

• Investigation Management
• Fraud Investigation
• Forensic Accounting
• Prosecutions
• Oversight Functions
• Team Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Investigation Policy Development
• Result-Based Management
• Forensic Tools
• Intergovernmental Processes
• UN System Policies
• Conflict Resolution
• Communication
• Networking
• Field Experience
• Audit
• Business Administration
• Law Expertise

Languages

English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish