UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Champion

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is an independent office reporting to UNICEF’s Executive Director and the Executive Board. The Investigations Service investigates reports of possible violations of rules or regulations, mismanagement, misconduct, waste of resources or abuse of authority.

The position is located in Nairobi, under the general guidance of the Chief of Investigations, the incumbent assists and supports the Investigations Section in the planning, organization and conduct of investigations into allegations of misconduct and other wrongdoing in or affecting UNICEF. This will include conducting and supporting investigations into sensitive and complex matters, including sexual misconduct matters, specifically Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH) in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and victim-centred principles. The Investigations Officer will also support the day to day operational and specialized activities of the investigation function, to enhance the smooth running of his/her section.

The Investigations Officer is accountable for applying relevant administrative rules, investigative procedures, and evidentiary standards in support of investigations conducted by OIAI.

Successful performance in this role contributes to thorough, accurate and timely investigative work, supporting the determination of accountability and enabling appropriate management, disciplinary, administrative or referral action.

NOTE: This post is based in Nairobi with travel to UNICEF locations, often in difficult duty stations.

How can you make a difference?

Participate as a member of a team of investigators and assist with the planning, organization and conduct of investigations into alleged misconduct, malfeasance, mismanagement, fraud, corruption, waste of resources, abuse of authority, retaliation, harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, or other violations of United Nations and UNICEF regulations, rules, policies and pertinent administrative issuances.
Conduct, and assist in conducting, interviews, obtaining statements, reviewing documentation, and analyzing information and evidence.
Search for, gather, record and preserve all potential or relevant evidence, including in electronic format, ensuring that appropriate chain of custody and evidence handling procedures are followed. Assist in determining whether matters involving potential fraud, corruption, or other illegal or criminal conduct warrant referral to national authorities.
Conduct research on assigned issues using investigation files, and alternative sources, to establish and verify facts, identify relevant provisions and precedents, and support the drafting of statements of findings and analysis of respondent replies and other investigation-related documents.
Participate in field missions for the purpose of conducting investigations, including sensitive interviews and evidence-gathering activities.
Draft or contribute to complete and concise investigation reports, closure reports, memoranda, interview records, notes for the file, correspondence and other investigation related documentation.
Assist with post-investigation tasks, including case closure actions, evidence management, referrals, and preparation of materials for disciplinary, administrative or managerial action tasks.
Draft, edit, proofread and finalize for review, signature or approval a variety of correspondence, reports, briefing notes and other communications related to investigations work.
Perform other duties as required.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Job Description

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in law, criminal investigation, or a related field.
Work Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in legal activities or investigations into fraud, abuse of authority, mismanagement, harassment, retaliatory actions, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment.
Skills:
- Strong discretion, sound judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to administrative investigations.
- Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess evidence, identify issues and draw well-reasoned conclusions.
- Knowledge of various research methodologies and information sources, including internet, intranet and other electronic databases.
- Good drafting and research skills, including the ability to prepare, and contribute to the preparation of, investigation reports, case summaries, statistical reports and other institutional documents.
- Ability to conduct or support interviews, gather information and document findings accurately.
- Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
- Ability to identify risks, establish priorities, plan assignments and adjust workplans as required.
- Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
- Demonstrates initiative, persistence and professionalism when faced with complex or sensitive matters.
- Ability to develop clear work goals aligned with agreed strategies, identify priorities and allocate time and resources effectively.
- Ability to anticipate risks, plan contingencies, monitor progress and adjust workplans as necessary.
- Demonstrates accountability for assigned work and contributes to continuous improvement within the work unit.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to the achievement of common goals.
- Ability to provide guidance and support to colleagues, where required.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and engage professionally with stakeholders in sensitive contexts.

Language Requirements: Knowledge of English language at a Proficient/Fluent is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese and Russian).
Working knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is an advantage.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from Global South are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Investigation Officer (P-2), FT, #00121870, Office of Internal Audit & Investigation, Nairobi, Kenya