Investigator

Organizational Setting

The Office of the Inspector-General (OIG) provides oversight of FAO's programmes and operations through internal audit and investigations. OIG investigates allegations of misconduct involving FAO personnel and third parties, covering misconduct such as fraud, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, workplace harassment, retaliation against whistleblowers, and any conduct not in conformity with the International Civil Service's Standards of Conduct. OIG also prepares reports to the Director‑General and Senior Management on lessons learned, proactive integrity reviews, and promotes policies that enhance the integrity of FAO's operations.

Location

The post is located in the Investigation Branch (OIGI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. OIGI consists of two units headed by a Senior Investigator: the Investigation Operations Unit and the Investigation Analysis and Professional Practices Unit. Staff typically rotate between the two units.

Reporting Lines

The Investigator reports to a Senior Investigator (Head of Unit) in OIGI.

Technical Focus

Investigations into allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing involving FAO personnel and third parties, and advice on enhancing the organisation's integrity policies.

Key Results

Plan and conduct investigations into fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment, and other wrongdoing; develop recommendations to support management decisions and improve internal controls; prevent and detect violations of FAO policies and promote integrity across FAO operations.

Key Functions

• Support the Senior Investigator in managing the investigative caseload by prioritizing cases, reviewing intake assessments, and preparing casework assignments.
• Lead complex investigation cases, including preliminary assessment of complaints, interviews, documentary and electronic evidence review, fact analysis, evidence organisation, and presentation of investigative results.
• Provide supervision and guidance to junior investigators when required and coordinate a portfolio of activities as Team Leader.
• Prepare, revise and update policies, guidelines and SOPs governing administration, evidence collection, report writing and follow‑up of investigations at headquarters and Decentralised Offices.
• Develop lessons learned, conduct proactive integrity reviews, and make recommendations to prevent violations of FAO policies relating to fraud and misconduct.
• Perform quality assurance by reviewing and editing investigation reports and other outputs to ensure logical and clear presentation of findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Maintain liaison with relevant FAO units on specific cases and with external and UN investigators on mutually relevant matters.
• Provide input into the preparation of statistical and periodic reports on investigation matters and trend analyses.
• Lead or contribute to FAO’s awareness and training activities on prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption, and promote state‑of‑the‑art investigative techniques and best practices.
• Participate in organisation‑wide thematic working groups.
• Contribute to OIG’s quarterly and annual reports and other reporting requirements, including donor reporting where relevant.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law or a field associated with criminal and/or administrative investigations; candidates with a first‑level degree may also be considered if they have at least two additional years of relevant investigatory experience and a professional qualification to practice law.
• Seven years of relevant experience in fact‑finding or investigatory work, preferably on misconduct and wrongdoing by employees, suppliers and partners, including fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, and workplace harassment.
• Proficiency (Level C) in English and intermediate proficiency (Level B) in another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in more than one location or area, especially field positions.
• International work experience desirable.
• Extensive investigative experience, particularly into alleged fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment.
• Ability to analyse legal and procedural issues and large volumes of complex evidence.
• Advanced knowledge of investigative theories, concepts and approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in advising, conducting interviews, delivering presentations, building relationships with stakeholders, and writing/editing complex reports.
• Willingness and ability to travel, including to hardship duty stations.
• A professional qualification to practice law is an advantage for candidates with an advanced degree.

All candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

Job Posting

Posted: 25 Nov 2025 • Closure Date: 17 Dec 2025, 5:29 AM

Organisational Unit: OIG
Job Type: Staff Position
Type of Requisition: Professional
Grade Level: P-4
Primary Location: Italy – Rome
Duration: Fixed term, two years (with possibility of extension)

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non‑and under‑represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

FAO, as a specialised Agency of the United Nations, upholds a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director‑General, who may assign them to any activity or office of the Organization.