IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Investigation Section of the Internal Oversight Division (IOD). IOD serves as an independent and objective reviewer of WIPO operations and activities based on risk and relevance to WIPO management and constituencies with a view towards promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness and impact of the Secretariat’s work.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent will perform varied and complex investigations into allegations of misbehavior, misconduct, fraud, corruption, harassment, abuse or other violations of WIPO’s Regulations, Rules and administrative issuances. The work will be done in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Oversight Charter, the Investigation Policy and the Investigation Procedures Manual.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the direction of the Director, IOD, and the supervision of the Head, Investigation Unit.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Plan the strategy for and conduct investigations defining the investigation’s parameters, timetable and investigative tools; obtaining documentary and physical evidence; studying and analyzing documents and records; conducting interviews with complainants, witnesses and subjects; maintaining case records, testimony and evidence; drafting investigation reports with recommendations for further inquiry or disposition of a case; ensuring that findings are legally sound and providing a sound basis for decision-making; drafting where relevant reports on lessons learned from investigations, providing recommendations to improve internal controls, policies and procedures.

b.  Liaise with the Office of the Legal Counsel and the Human Resources Management Department on issues raised by investigation cases and reports; cooperate and coordinate as appropriate with WIPO’s Ombudsperson and Ethics Office; contact staff members at all levels of the Organization and Member States representatives when required; coordinate and cooperate with internal and external oversight entities and law enforcement authorities where necessary.

c.  Perform proactive research on specific areas for fraud risks and develop and recommend new or modified policies and practices on fraud prevention. Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of, and perform advisory work on improving WIPO’s controls processes and systems; perform promotional work with the view to enhance the awareness and prevention of fraud, misconduct and abuse; conduct related training and communication activities in order to foster a culture of integrity.

d.  Provide expert and substantive inputs to the overall policy and strategies of the Division, particularly in relation to investigations. Participate in the review and development of the Investigation Procedures Manual, as required.

e.  Ensure the operation of communication facilities and systems that enable WIPO staff to report directly on any alleged waste, fraud, mismanagement or abuse, and ensure the effectiveness, security and confidentiality of such facilities and systems.

f.   Perform other job-related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, auditing, finance, accounting or a related area. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in investigations, auditing or a related field in an international or national setting.

Experience in at least one of the following areas: Forensic Accounting, Fraud & Financial Investigations, Business Intelligence, and Compliance.

Experience analyzing complete and complex data sets to identify anomalies and trends using contemporary data analytics tools such as Excel, IDEA, Power BI, Python, and Tableau.

Experience (Desirable)

Combined experience in the following areas: Forensic Accounting, Fraud & Financial Investigations, Business Intelligence, Internal Audit and Compliance.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of French.

Knowledge of other United Nations official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Knowledge of public international law, administrative law or criminal law.

Demonstrated ability to carry out complex and varied investigations. Ability to work under tight deadlines.

Ability to exercise sound and expert judgment, initiative and discretion and handle confidential and sensitive material.

Ability to write clearly and precisely and to communicate effectively.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of the law and procedures of international organizations, the international civil service law, or the jurisprudence of the ILO Administrative Tribunal or other international administrative jurisdictions.

1.    Communicating effectively.

2.    Showing team spirit.

3.    Demonstrating integrity.

4.    Valuing diversity.

5.    Producing results.

6.    Showing service orientation.

7.    Seeing the big picture.

8.    Seeking change and innovation.

9.    Developing yourself and others.

Mobility:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the February 2025 rate of 68.1%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions.  The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term.  S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.