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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 Future

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) conducts investigations to examine and determine the veracity of all allegations received concerning corrupt and fraudulent practices and allegations of misconduct that involve UNICEF staff, consultants, non-staff personnel and institutional contractors. OIAl's investigations cover all forms of misconduct including but not limited to fraud; corruption; workplace harassment; sexual harassment; abuse of authority; and failure to observe prescribed regulations, rules, relevant administrative issuances, and standards of conduct. The position is moved to Budapest as of January 1, 2026.

How can you make a difference

Purpose of the Job:

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 New York. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will serve as the Chief of Section (Investigations) of OIAI’s Investigations Service. The incumbent will be responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Investigations Service office in that particular duty station.

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

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: 

• Lead, supervise and manage a team of Investigators in Budapest, including oversight of assignments, performance monitoring and evaluation.

• Plan, conduct and manage investigations into serious and complex cases of corruption, fraud, misconduct, mismanagement, waste of resources, and violations of UN Regulations and Rules, including SEA and sexual harassment. Responsibilities include gathering and analyzing evidence, conducting interviews, preparing statements, and ensuring professional, efficient and timely investigations in line with international best practices.

• Prepare high-quality investigation reports with findings and recommendations for disciplinary or jurisdictional actions, ensuring supporting evidence and analysis are complete.

• Manage case portfolios, assign tasks, and maintain accurate case activity records for effective prioritization and oversight by the Head of Investigations.

• Handle evidentiary material, liaising with national and international authorities, forensic institutions, and UN/UNICEF legal and review bodies, including ALU, OLA, Vendor Review Committee and Implementing Partner Review Board.

• Provide advice on investigatory matters and respond to requests for information or assistance from internal and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to developing data-analytical tools, risk-mitigation strategies and mechanisms to strengthen investigative practices across UNICEF operations.

• Represent the Investigations Section with HQ and field colleagues, and oversee administrative tasks related to the duty station.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Investigations or Director, OIAI.

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

• • 1. 1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Law, Criminology, Law, criminal investigation, fraud examination and any other related fields.
          A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree)in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
       2. Work Experience: At least 10 years of relevant work experience in Legal, Audit and Investigation, Fraud cases, corruption cases, misconduct investigations, abuse of authority, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment. and any other related fields.
       3. Skills: People management, strategic thinking, critical thinking, analytical skills, self-awareness, communication skills.
       4. Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required

• Desirables
  
  1. 1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
     2. International experience, multilateral public experience, international investigations, UN experience
     3. 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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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 male candidates from low-income countries 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.

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.