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 allegations of sanctionable actions involving third parties. OIG's investigation mandate covers misconduct such as fraud, corruption, abuse of privileges and immunities; sexual exploitation and abuse; sexual harassment; workplace harassment and abuse of authority; retaliation against whistle-blowers; or any other conduct not in conformity with the Standards of Conduct of the International Civil Service. OIG also prepares reports for the Director-General and Senior Management on lessons learned and proactive integrity reviews and promotes policies and activities that enhance the integrity of FAO's operations. The position is in OIG's Investigation Branch (OIGI).

OIGI consists of two units, both headed by a Senior Investigator (Head of Unit): the Investigation Operations Unit and Investigation Analysis and the Professional Practices Unit. OIGI staff would normally rotate between the two units.

The post is located in OIG's Investigation Branch (OIGI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy

Reporting Lines
The Investigator reports to the Senior Investigator (Head of Unit) or an Investigator (Team Leader).

Technical Focus
Under the supervision of more senior Investigator, support the intake of, and/or investigations into, allegations of serious misconduct and wrongdoing by FAO personnel and third parties and in line with internal standard operating procedures and relevant rules.

Key Results
The intake of complaints and/or investigations into allegations of fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and other types of wrongdoing, and the development of recommendations to support management decisions; and improve internal controls over fraud risks and to prevent and timely detect violations of FAO policies.

Key Functions

• Provides support to intake analysis of incoming complaints; this includes reviewing the information received, and when necessary, obtaining additional information from the complainant to determine whether the complaint/allegation falls within the mandate of OIG or whether the matter would be more appropriately handled by another FAO office.
• Supports investigative activities in connection with the planning, organizing and conduct of investigations at headquarters or Decentralized Offices, in accordance with the applicable rules involving a preliminary review of the complaint/allegation, interviews of personnel and third parties, review of documentary and electronic information, analysis of the facts, organization of the evidence, and determines the appropriate presentation of investigative results including the preparation of reports.
• Participates in complex investigation cases.
• Contributes to the preparation of investigative outputs, such as reports, memoranda and other communications.
• Provides support to various policy-related initiatives and other matters under review by the Office.
• Carries out basic research, collects, analyses relevant information, and contributes to the preparation of analytical notes, investigation reports and memoranda presenting facts, circumstances, conclusions and recommendations for management action.
• Participates in outreach activities such as the development of training workshops, seminars/webinars, and presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Maintains OIG records and updates databases.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law or in a subject associated with criminal and/or administrative investigations (candidates holding a first-level university degree in above-mentioned fields may also be considered if possessing two (2) additional years of relevant work experience in fact-finding/investigatory work and a professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction).
• Three years of relevant experience in fact-finding/investigatory work preferably, but not limited to, misconduct and wrongdoing by employees, suppliers and partners organizations, including fraud and other forms of corruption, using investigation techniques and procedures.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of 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

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in investigations including employee misconduct, procurement fraud and corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse, workplace harassment and sexual harassment.
• Ability to analyse relevant legal and procedural issues, and documentary and financial evidence.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant investigative theories, concepts and approaches.
• Ability and willingness to travel, including hardship duty stations.
• A professional qualification to practice law in a national/state jurisdiction is an advantage for candidates' possessing an advanced university degree

Job Posting
27/Oct/2025

Closure Date
17/Nov/2025, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit
OIG

Job Type
Staff position

Type of Requisition
Professional

Grade Level
P-2

Primary Location
Italy-Rome

Duration
Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number
2010808

CCOG Code
1A21

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

• 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
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for
better production
,
better nutrition
,
a better environment,
and
a better life
, leaving no one behind.