LTA Consultant - Lead Compliance Officer SECU

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) reports to the Administrator and is responsible for internal audit and investigations services to UNDP and its affiliated entities.  OAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls. OAI also responds to allegations of misconduct by conducting and reporting on investigations. 

The Investigations Section of OAI is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as mismanagement, fraud, corruption, retaliation on whistle-blowers, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, violation or wilful disregard of UNDP regulations, rules, and administrative instructions, that involve UNDP staff, contractors and other applicable persons.

In 2013 OAI established the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) to respond to complaints that UNDP may not be meeting its social and environmental commitments. SECU became operational on 1 January 2015. The purpose of a compliance review is to investigate alleged violations of UNDP’s social and environmental policies and procedures, and to identify approaches to bring projects into compliance

In June 2014 UNDP approved Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and the Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM) to be integrated into UNDP’s policies and procedures and effective for all new projects starting January 1, 2015.  

OAI seeks to engage in a Long Term Agreement (LTA) with a suitably skilled and experienced consultant to call upon as required from time to time to support OAI in matters relating to Social and Environmental Compliance of UNDP.

Scope of work

Under the supervision of OAI Deputy Director/Head of Investigations the consultant will undertake the following activities:

• Serve as the lead Compliance Officer for UNDP’s Compliance Mechanism;

• Oversee the review eligibility of claims received;

• Conduct or oversee any investigations of claims of non-compliance found to be eligible;

• Complete and review investigation reports;

• Provide advice about the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit to potential claimants;

• Oversee the referral of claims that are ineligible for compliance review to the appropriate window in the UNDP grievance mechanism;

• Provide advice to OAI Management and UNDP staff about the application of UNDP Social and Environmental standards to UNDP projects;

• Manage a roster of suitably qualified consultants to assist in the assessment and investigation of compliance review cases;

• Make any findings of non-compliance and report its recommendations to the Administrator, through the Director OAI;

• Oversee the maintenance of a public “register” of claims;

• Oversee the maintenance of SECU’s component of the Case Management System;

• Conduct appropriate public outreach;

• Assist with the preparation of annual reports on SECU;

• Facilitate the public release of reports.

Deliverables

• Investigation Reports as needed;

• Advisory notes as needed;

• Explanatory materials for internal and external audiences about the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit and its procedures;

• Timeline and payment milestones will be determined in association with each task/deliverable.

Competencies

Communication: The consultant should be able to communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.

Professionalism: The consultant should be capable of working in a high pressure environment with sharp and frequent deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of data and reports accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail; Exercise the highest level of responsibility and be able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Teamwork: The consultant should work well in a team; Projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks; Focuses on results for the client; and welcomes constructive feedback.

Technical Skills: The consultant should be able to draft and edit documents in word and excel in English; French and/or Spanish are an asset; Have excellent computer skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning: The consultant should willingly share knowledge and experience and make contributions to UNDP practice areas (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives); actively develop substantive understanding and experience in one or more knowledge areas, including process and/or technical knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

• An advanced degree in environmental or international development or related field is required.

• 15 years of working experience in implementing or evaluating social and environmental impact assessment practices and procedures.

• At least 5 years of working experience in social and environmental safeguard policies of international institutions is required.

• Expertise in the design and use of accountability mechanisms is desirable.

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, including local communities is desirable.

• Knowledge of UNDP’s Programming and Operations Policies and Procedures is desirable.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral is required.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills is required.

How to apply

Interested candidates must apply through UNDP job site: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=81244

• Use the cover letter part provided in the website;

• Upload P11 to UNDP job-site;

• Applicants who are invited to interview will be asked to submit their financial proposal into the designated email address: oai.bids@undp.org within the given deadline prior to the interview date.

• TOR, P11 template, financial proposal and procurement notice with details on evaluation criteria are attached in the UNDP Procurement Website with the link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=50151