*Pending budget approval*

1. SUMMARY

The Office of Internal Audit and Risk Management (OIARM) is an Independent Office within the International Staff (IS). It reports directly to the Secretary General’s Private Office. It provides an internal oversight services that cover internal audit, risk management, ethics, investigation and other management advisory support under the direct supervision of the Office of the Secretary General.

The role of the Investigator, under the leadership of the Head of OIARM, is:

• To examine and determine the veracity of allegations of misconduct or other irregularities affecting NATO IS, its projects, assets or personnel by gathering and evaluating relevant evidence and reporting conclusions and recommendations;
• Conduct Proactive Integrity Reviews into integrity risks or non-compliance incidents in response to specific business needs;
• Advise and contribute to effective detection techniques, mitigation measures and remedial action in relation to integrity risks and monitor follow-up actions;
• Contribute to the communication, implementation and update of ethics and compliance rules, policies and procedures in coordination with relevant Divisions and Independent Offices.

The incumbent shall have specific responsibilities with respect to the NATO IS Implementing Directive for the NATO-Wide Strategy for the Prevention, Detection and Response to Fraud and Corruption and Whistleblowing Policy for NATO IS.  S/He is in charge of consolidating, analysing and communicating all data related to investigations under these instruments and establishing Key Performance Indicators to measure the performance of the prevention and detection activities and programmes put in place and where necessary recommend improvements.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• possess a university degree from an institute of a recognized standing, in a relevant field (e.g. business, finance, accountancy, audit, law, criminal justice etc) or equivalent experience;
• have 5 years of experience in criminal, legal, military fraud or other-related investigative experience with demonstrative ability to conduct complex and varied investigations in a timely manner;
• have the ability to design and implement detection and compliance programmes, including communication and training campaigns;
• have the ability to clearly draft memoranda, compile, analyse and track statistical data and monitor reports on complex and sensitive issues;
• display the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and objectivity;
• possess excellent interpersonal communication, mediation and negotiation skills;
• proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national, cultural and professional backgrounds, whilst remaining impartial and objective;
• possess the following minimum levels of NATO’s official languages (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one; IV (“upper intermediate”) in the other.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• a professional qualification from an internationally recognised institution (e.g. CFE;CFF;CIGI/E;CCEP-I;ACFE);
• a professional qualification from a relevant nationally recognised professional institution e.g. law, accountancy, internal audit etc;
• knowledge of forensic investigative tools and techniques;
• professional experience in an international public sector organization.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Expertise Development

Support OIARM in developing and improving policies, directives, guidelines, procedures and other internal documents to support an appropriate organisational investigative framework.

In liaison with the Head of OIARM, the Ethics Officer, Risk Manager, HR and other relevant stakeholders, support the development and implementation of a NATO IS strategy to raise awareness of the NATO IS Whistleblowing Policy and NATO IS Implementing Directive on the Prevention, Detection and Response to Fraud and Corruption.  Support the development and implementation of NATO IS training programmes to raise awareness and understanding of related key ethical and compliance issues and expected professional conduct. Develop standalone communication campaigns and associated materials for use internally and externally. Continuously expand their knowledge on trends and latest developments in fraud-risk, investigation and detection through research, training, attending conferences benchmarking, and liaising with other NATO Bodies and/or relevant comparator International Organisations and the private sector.

Project Management

Plan, organise, conduct and managing investigations of cases of alleged fraud, corruption, wrongdoing or abuse according to NATO or NATO IS policies and procedures.  This will include, inter alia to  (i) Define the parameters and timetable of an investigation, scope, methodologies and tools under the guidance of the Head of OIARM; (ii) obtain and analyse necessary evidence including physical and digital documents and records; conduct structured interviews with complainants, witnesses and alleged offenders, assess the reliability of sources and maintaining case records testimony and chain of custody of evidence, (iii) draft investigative reports and where relevant reports on lessons learned from investigations; (iv) provide recommendations to improve internal controls, policies and procedures and where agreed, monitoring implementation (v) liaise and cooperate with other IS Divisions or Independent Offices as well as law enforcement authorities and other external entities as required.

Knowledge Management

Prepare and present clear, convincing and timely investigation reports and Proactive Integrity Review Reports in accordance with international best practice, and NATO IS internal procedures.  Communicate reports and results with OIARM, the NATO IS relevant governing body or other competent authorities or affected stakeholders to act upon as-requested. Consequently oversee the implementation of mitigation measures and recommendations and assess the long-term benefits of such measures.

Information Management

In cooperation with the Ethics Officer, HR, Office of Financial Control and other relevant stakeholders, consolidate all data related to the detection and investigation of possible wrongdoings including fraud, misconduct, waste or abuse within NATO IS.

Analyse consolidated data to identify trends, gaps and areas for improvement. Develop appropriate solutions including preventive and corrective measures. Support the development of detection, reporting and monitoring tools, including dashboards and other digital diagnostics. Monitor and report on agreed Key Performance Indicators and ensure appropriate communication of activities and reports to staff and management.

Stakeholder Management

Work closely with colleagues, decision-makers, supervisory bodies to ensure robust and time-efficient investigative processes and with due regard to the relevant procedural requirements that may apply depending on the personal or material scope of an investigation and the duty of care to the alleged offender(s) and any individual engaging in protected activity for the purposes of the Whistleblowing Policy.

Collaborate with colleagues and support staff to gather and preserve relevant evidence, maintain confidentiality and appropriate information barriers and to identify solutions to issues raised in investigations. Be able to interact with tact, confidentiality and diplomacy in an international environment.

People Management

Be responsible for the supervision and review of the work of temporary or outsourced investigators assigned to them when appropriate, which may include directing the work of those providing services to support detection or investigation in the form of a digital forensic search by NATO Office of Security or the development or commissioning new digital tools to assist in the detection process. Promote integrity, professionalism and accountability through a sound and inclusive leadership culture.

Perform any other duty as assigned.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to the Head of OIARM and will work closely with the Ethics Officer (the central repository for whistleblowing concerns) and the Risk Manager within OIARM. In the event of an apparent conflict of interest, the incumbent will report to the higher level of management where the potential for a conflict of interest is not likely to exist.

S/He directly deals with civilian staff and line managers, and maintains close working relationships with HR, the Office of Financial Control, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Staff Committee, and other relevant stakeholders

Direct reports: N/a

Indirect reports: N/a

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must demonstrate:

• Achievement: Works to meet standards.
• Analytical Thinking: Sees multiple relationships.
• Clarity and Accuracy: Checks own work.
• Conceptual Thinking: Applies learned concepts.
• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems.
• Empathy: Is open to others’ perspectives.
• Impact and Influence: Takes multiple actions to persuade.
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation.
• Teamwork: Solicits inputs and encourages others.