HEAD OF INVESTIGATIONS

OVERVIEW Position Number: IOS 009 Grade: P-5 Parent Sector: Internal Oversight Service (IOS) Duty Station: Paris Job Family: Management/Audit/Oversight Contract Type: Fixed Term Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 08/07/2026 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, ProfessionalismORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The Division of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) provides an independent consolidated oversight mechanism that covers internal audit, evaluation, investigation and other management support. The Investigation Office examines and determines the veracity of allegations about misconduct or other irregularities affecting the Organization, its projects, assets or personnel. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST Under the authority and the direct supervision of the Director of the Division of Internal Oversight Services, the incumbent will lead and oversee the investigation function, conduct the most serious and complex investigations, and provide authoritative expertise for fraud risk management, deterrence and response to sexual harassment and abuse in UNESCO.KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Lead, direct and plan the investigative activities of the Section by: Developing investigation plans; deciding on investigative tools and methodologies; Conducting complex and/or sensitive investigations; Assessing risks associated with investigative activities for the investigators and all investigation participants; and ensuring appropriate mitigating or preventing measures; Assigning cases and tasks to investigative team; providing technical and methodological guidance and performance feedback to investigative team; ensuring that due process is respected in the IOS investigative processes by conforming to requirements of the Human Resources Manual and to UNESCO's Staff Rules & Regulations; preparing and/or assuring quality of IOS investigative reports in accordance with applicable professional standards and UNESCO requirements; and maintaining investigative records in accordance with IOS procedures. Long Description Supervise and perform screening of allegations of misconduct, in accordance with established criteria, presented to IOS from all sources, including hotline reporting, the Bureau of Human Resources Management, the Ethics Office, other UNESCO personnel and external parties. Determine whether the allegations received fall in the mandate of IOS. Based on assessment of the facts presented in the allegations, recommend the next steps in their resolution (e.g., formal investigation, further fact-finding, referral). Ensure reliability of IOS records of the timeframe and disposition of all allegations received. Define, update and implement investigative procedures and processes. Draft or contribute to policy revisions, ensuring international investigation standards are met and ILOAT jurisprudence is taken into account. Advise management of sectors and support services on fraud prevention measures and response to incidents (contractual clauses, interim measures, mitigation and recovery, including initiating or participating in civil and criminal proceedings when appropriate and approved). Respond to request for information, assistance or advice from organizational entities outside IOS, including requests for information from sister agencies and national authorities with due respect to privileges and immunities of UNESCO. Identify issues requiring management attention and make recommendations on preventive or corrective measures derived from investigative findings. Long Description In collaboration with programme sectors, support services and assurance providers, coordinate the identification, assessment and monitoring of fraud risks of the Organization by: Identifying principal fraud risks and the factors that influence them; Mapping assurance on the effectiveness and efficiency of existing intern