Apply Today! Career Opportunity at UNICEF: Investigation Specialist, New York or Remote (2025)
Apply Today! Career Opportunity at UNICEF: Investigation Specialist, New York or Remote (2025)
Introduction
The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) continues to serve as one of the world’s most recognized and respected humanitarian organizations, working tirelessly in over 190 countries and territories to safeguard children’s rights, protect their welfare, and empower them to reach their fullest potential. Every role within UNICEF contributes directly to this mission. Among these crucial functions is the work of the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI), which ensures transparency, accountability, and integrity within UNICEF’s global operations.
As part of its expanding mandate, UNICEF is inviting qualified professionals to apply for the role of Investigation Specialist, P-3, Temporary Appointment (364 days). This position is based in New York, United States, with the option of remote or home-based work, depending on the candidate’s circumstances.
This blog post provides an in-depth overview of the vacancy, including key responsibilities, qualifications, competencies, and the broader context of working with UNICEF. It is written in a professional, HR-style format to help prospective candidates evaluate their fit for the role and understand the organizational values underpinning this appointment.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is a global leader in child advocacy and humanitarian assistance. Operating across diverse regions and contexts, UNICEF focuses on critical areas such as health, education, protection, and emergency response. The organization’s mission is built on the principle that every child deserves a fair chance in life.
With its headquarters in New York, UNICEF collaborates with governments, civil society, private sector organizations, and international bodies to implement programs that address the most pressing challenges faced by children. Its core values — Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) — guide every activity, from policy development to field operations.
For professionals who join UNICEF, the work is not merely a job. It represents a calling to defend children’s rights and a career path that allows individuals to contribute to global development, humanitarian response, and systemic reform.
The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI)
The OIAI is an independent office within UNICEF that reports directly to the Executive Director and the Executive Board. Its mandate is to ensure that UNICEF’s operations worldwide maintain the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and compliance with United Nations regulations.
Within OIAI, the Investigations Section focuses on allegations of misconduct involving staff, contractors, implementing partners, and other personnel connected to UNICEF’s operations. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Fraud and corruption.
- Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).
- Sexual harassment.
- Workplace harassment and abuse of authority.
- Misconduct involving financial irregularities.
- Violations of organizational standards of conduct.
The Investigations Section plays a vital role in protecting both UNICEF’s reputation and its operational integrity, thereby ensuring that resources entrusted to the organization are used effectively to advance the rights and welfare of children.
Within this framework, the Strategy, Intake, and Analysis Unit (SIA) handles the initial reception and assessment of misconduct allegations. It manages the hotline, conducts initial evaluations, ensures timely escalation of sensitive matters, and develops strategic processes to enhance investigations capacity.
Position Overview: Investigation Specialist (P-3)
- Title: Investigation Specialist
- Level: P-3 (Professional and higher categories, mid-level role)
- Contract Type: Temporary Appointment (364 days)
- Duty Station: New York, USA, or Home-Based/Remote
- Department: Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI)
- Job Number: 584023
- Requisition ID: #00132756
- Application Deadline: 22 September 2025 (Eastern Daylight Time)
The Investigation Specialist (P-3) will serve as part of the OIAI Investigations Section, specifically supporting the Strategy, Intake, and Analysis Unit. This unit handles the critical first stage of investigation: the intake and assessment of allegations. The Specialist will be responsible for managing reports received through the hotline and other reporting channels, analyzing incoming data, initiating case files, and supporting UNICEF personnel and complainants with guidance and communication.
Key Responsibilities
The Investigation Specialist will be expected to perform a wide range of duties, combining technical expertise with professional judgment and ethical awareness. Key responsibilities include:
Intake and Assessment of Reports
- Manage and review reports of misconduct received via OIAI’s email hotline or other channels.
- Determine whether incoming allegations fall within OIAI’s investigative mandate.
- Escalate sensitive or high-risk matters promptly to senior management.
- Conduct preliminary fact-finding to support decision-making regarding whether to initiate a full investigation, close the case, or refer it to other offices.
Communication and Guidance
- Provide professional guidance to UNICEF personnel regarding OIAI’s investigative processes.
- Advise on the availability of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, when appropriate.
- Communicate in a clear, respectful, and timely manner with complainants, whistleblowers, UNICEF offices, and external stakeholders.
Case and Data Management
- Initiate new matters in the Case Management System (CMS).
- Create structured and well-documented case files in SharePoint.
- Extract and analyze relevant data from UNICEF databases and external sources to support assessments.
- Ensure that case information is securely stored and accessible in compliance with data protection standards.
Process Improvement and Reporting
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the hotline, case management, and file repository systems.
- Provide technical guidance to enhance the quality and reliability of intake processes.
- Support the preparation of statistical reports, both periodic and ad hoc, on OIAI’s investigative activities.
- Contribute to policy development, quality assurance, and the preparation of formal reports and notes for the record.
Additional Duties
- Conduct initial assessments of reported misconduct and prepare written outputs such as referrals and official memoranda.
- Support strategic initiatives to improve overall investigations capacity.
- Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Investigations Section Chief or SIA management.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, International Public Policy, Criminology, or a related field.
- A First-Level University Degree (Bachelor’s) combined with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.
Professional Experience
- Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in investigations, audit, hotline management, or misconduct report assessment.
- Experience in international organizations, the UN system, or humanitarian/development settings is highly desirable.
- Strong background in case management, investigative analysis, and misconduct prevention.
- Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters ethically and effectively.
Skills and Competencies
- Case management and investigative analysis.
- Ethical awareness and professional discretion.
- Strategic and analytical thinking.
- Strong data management and reporting skills.
- Communication and partnership-building with diverse stakeholders.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a relevant local language is considered an asset.
UNICEF Core Values and Competencies
At UNICEF, all staff are expected to embody and uphold the CRITAS values:
- Care – placing children’s needs at the center.
- Respect – valuing diversity and fostering inclusivity.
- Integrity – adhering to the highest ethical standards.
- Trust – building strong relationships internally and externally.
- Accountability – ensuring transparency and responsibility in every action.
- Sustainability – promoting practices that safeguard long-term impact.
The following competencies are required for the role:
- Builds and maintains partnerships.
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
- Drive to achieve results for impact.
- Innovates and embraces change.
- Manages ambiguity and complexity.
- Thinks and acts strategically.
- Works collaboratively with others.
Safeguarding and Ethical Standards
The Investigation Specialist role has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding. As such, additional vetting, including enhanced background checks, will apply. UNICEF upholds a zero-tolerance policy toward:
- Sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Sexual harassment.
- Discrimination based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or other status.
- Abuse of authority.
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF may also request supporting documentation confidentially from candidates with disabilities.
Work Modality
This position allows for a remote or home-based work modality. Should a candidate work remotely, entitlements will be adjusted based on the cost differential between the duty station (New York) and the remote location. Relocation entitlements will not apply in such cases.
Diversity and Inclusion at UNICEF
UNICEF is committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the children it serves. Applications are encouraged from qualified candidates of all genders, nationalities, religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and neurodivergent candidates.
UNICEF also strongly encourages male candidates from low-income countries to apply for this role.
Why Join UNICEF?
Working at UNICEF offers:
- A meaningful career dedicated to children’s rights.
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- An inclusive and diverse organizational culture.
- Competitive compensation and benefits packages, including parental leave, medical insurance, and reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities.
For many professionals, joining UNICEF is more than career advancement — it represents the chance to contribute directly to global humanitarian efforts and make a lasting difference in the lives of children worldwide.
Application Process
- Application Deadline: 22 September 2025 (Eastern Daylight Time)
- Job Number: 584023
- Contract Type: Temporary Appointment (364 days)
- Duty Station: New York or Remote
- APPLY HERE.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNIES HERE.
Please note: UNICEF does not charge any application or processing fees at any stage of recruitment.
Conclusion
The role of Investigation Specialist, P-3, Temporary Appointment (364 days) at UNICEF offers a unique opportunity for experienced professionals in investigations and accountability to contribute to a vital mission — safeguarding integrity within one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations. This position ensures that misconduct is addressed swiftly and fairly, thereby protecting the organization’s credibility and reinforcing its ability to serve children globally.
By joining UNICEF, candidates will not only advance their careers but also play a key role in defending children’s rights, strengthening organizational accountability, and supporting global humanitarian goals.
Apply now to become part of UNICEF’s mission to protect every child’s right to a future.
