Consultant Investigations Officer

World Food Programme; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Food Programme in Rome is seeking an experienced Investigations Officer (Consultant) to lead intake assessments, plan fact-finding, and document findings for potential investigations.

Reporting to the Director, OIGI, you will liaise with Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and HQ to gather information, produce strategic recommendations, and ensure compliance with UN rules and procedures. This role requires strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, finance, criminology or related field.
• At least five years of investigations or intake assessment work with proven leadership.
• Knowledge of UN rules, procedures and investigation practices is a plus.
• English fluency is required; French/Arabic/Spanish/Portuguese are strong advantages.

Responsibilities

• Assess allegations and determine appropriate action (investigation, referral, or closure).
• Prepare clear management briefings and stakeholder communications.
• Liaise with Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and WFP HQ to gather information.
• Plan, conduct and document fact-finding and interviews.
• Conduct digital forensics or open-source searches as needed.
• Recommend improvements to internal controls and operations.
• Monitor progress of preliminary assessments and advise colleagues.
• Engage with authorities and external organizations as required.
• Perform other related duties.

Skills

Judgment & planning

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

University degree in law/finance/criminology or related field

Job description

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

14 November 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Investigations Officer (Consultant)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: When Actually Employed Consultancy

UNIT/DIVISION: OIGI

DUTY STATION (City, Country):Rome, Italy (REMOTE WORKING FROM PPR)

DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Consultant will report to the Director, OIGI, or their delegate and work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team. OIGI conducts objective and fair investigations into alleged misconduct or wrongdoing involving WFP staff, contractors and other persons or entities with a contractual relationship to WFP. The consultancy is based in the Intake and Case Development Team, OIGI’s strategic decision point for responding to allegations and concerns.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess allegations and recommend the most appropriate response, including opening an investigation, referring the matter to another entity or function, or closing the matter without further action;
• Prepare clear, concise briefings for management and high-quality communications for stakeholders, including whistleblowers and affected persons;
• Liaise with focal points in Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and WFP Headquarters to obtain information and advise WFP employees on the OIGI process;
• Plan, conduct and document fact-finding activities, including witness interviews or document reviews, to develop allegations received to the point where an investigation can be opened or other action taken;
• Plan, conduct and document digital forensic or open-source searches and leverage technology, as required;
• Recommend improvements to the controls, effectiveness or efficiency of WFP operations, including through liaison with the OIG audit team;
• Regularly review the progress of preliminary assessments, evaluate the likely impact of investigation outcomes on strategy, and advise colleagues accordingly;
• Liaise with local authorities, governments, other UN organizations and external organizations, as required;
• Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Preliminary assessments completed as per OIGI standard practice.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

A university degree in law, finance, criminology, or other relevant field. Training from a police academy or another law enforcement agency, with extensive experience in investigations can be considered in lieu of a university degree.

Experience:

• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience related to intake assessments or investigations, with a proven track record in planning, leading, and executing intake assessments or investigation, and with a focus on fraud and/or sexual misconduct.
• Previous experience in the conduct of investigations and/or preliminary assessments with a UN organization or international financing institution and working in developing countries is an asset.
• Thorough knowledge of UN staff rules and procedures is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Full and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of investigation work, especially in an international environment.
• Good understanding of linkages between policy and operational practices.
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, interpersonal and communications skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of investigations and ability to identify key investigation issues and provide in-depth analysis with well formulated recommendations.
• Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relations with officials at all levels.

Languages:

Written and oral proficiency in English is a must for this position. Fluency in Arabic, French, Spanish, or Portuguese is a strong advantage.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [e-mail]

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.