Chief, Investigations Job at UNDP in Nairobi, Kenya

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting a Chief, Investigations in Nairobi, Kenya. The position is open to internal and external applicants and involves leading complex investigations, supervising investigative teams, managing sensitive misconduct cases and strengthening organizational risk management across Central, West, East and Southern Africa.

Job Summary

Job Responsibilities

The successful candidate will lead investigations and oversee the work of investigative teams within UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and supervise misconduct investigations across Central and West Africa and East and Southern Africa.
• Manage investigative teams, allocate resources and monitor case progress to ensure timely completion.
• Review investigations to ensure compliance with international guidelines, UNDP policies and professional standards.
• Oversee investigations involving fraud, corruption, financial irregularities, workplace harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and other forms of misconduct.
• Review investigation reports and ensure findings, conclusions and recommendations rely on credible evidence.
• Provide expert guidance to investigators handling complex, sensitive and high-priority cases.
• Ensure the proper collection, analysis, storage and protection of documentary, electronic and other forms of evidence.
• Oversee witness and subject interviews and ensure investigators follow established procedures.
• Use digital forensics, financial analysis, artificial intelligence and other investigative technologies to strengthen investigative outcomes.
• Manage the Sexual Misconduct Team’s caseload and provide guidance on sensitive cases.
• Work with UNDP’s legal, human resources, ethics and other relevant offices on investigation-related matters.
• Advise senior management on misconduct risks, investigation findings and preventive measures.
• Coordinate investigation missions to UNDP offices, including locations with challenging security conditions.
• Build relationships with government agencies, law enforcement authorities and investigation teams from other international organizations.
• Represent UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations at relevant international investigation forums.
• Mentor staff, provide performance feedback and promote professional development.
• Strengthen investigative practices through knowledge-sharing, training and improved risk management.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following educational and professional requirements.

Educational qualifications

Candidates must possess either:

• An advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree or equivalent, in Investigations, Law, Management, Finance or a related field; or
• A bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, combined with an additional two years of qualifying professional experience.

Work experience

Candidates must have:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in complex criminal and administrative investigations with a master’s degree, or 12 years with a bachelor’s degree.
• Experience conducting criminal or administrative investigations across multiple geographical locations.
• Experience performing quality assurance reviews and legal assessments in investigations.
• Experience supervising investigators and managing a large, varied caseload of criminal or administrative investigations.

The following experience is an advantage:

• Designing risk assessment frameworks for complex investigations.
• Advising senior leadership on sensitive investigations and organizational risks.
• Developing policies in collaboration with institutional partners.
• Working in international investigations and senior investigative management.
• Leading investigations involving sexual misconduct using victim-centred approaches.
• Conducting field investigations in high-risk, fragile or conflict-affected environments.
• Using data analytics, digital evidence, artificial intelligence and forensic resources.
• Holding a professional certification in national or international investigations.

Skills and Competencies

UNDP expects the successful candidate to demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgement and advanced investigative expertise.

Essential competencies include investigation management, evidence collection and analysis, investigative interviewing, and the effective use of forensic technology. The role also requires strategic thinking, portfolio management, business judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities.

The successful candidate should demonstrate integrity, adaptability, collaboration, innovation and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Strong staff management skills and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams are also important.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official UNDP careers portal. Applicants should review the vacancy announcement carefully and ensure they meet the educational and professional experience requirements before submitting their applications.

UNDP does not charge application fees at any stage of its recruitment process. Candidates should avoid anyone requesting payment in exchange for recruitment or employment.