INVESTIGATIONS CONSULTANT

Title of Assignment: INVESTIGATIONS CONSULTANT

Name of unit/sector: Internal Oversight Division (IOD)

Place of Assignment: REMOTE

MODALITY: INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR – DAILY RATE + DELIVERABLE-BASED PAYMENT.

Expected duration of assignment: JULY 2026 – DECEMBER 2026

Activity rate: Full time (100%)

1. Background

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system that rewards creativity, stimulates innovation, and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest. WIPO serves 194 member states.

The Internal Oversight Division (IOD) at WIPO is an independent internal oversight body established under the WIPO Internal Oversight Charter (the Charter) approved by the WIPO General Assembly. IOD provides WIPO Management with systematic assurance, analyses, appraisals, recommendations, advice, and information through the undertaking of independent internal audits, evaluations, and investigations. IOD operates in accordance with applicable international professional standards, including the Uniform Guidelines for Investigations endorsed by the Conference of International Investigators (CII).

IOD’s Investigation function is responsible for conducting administrative investigations into allegations of misconduct, including harassment and abuse of authority, fraud, corruption, procurement irregularities, conflicts of interest, and other violations of WIPO’s rules, regulations, and policies.

2. Deliverables/services

The Investigations Consultant shall carry out the following duties:

• Conduct between three (3) and six (6) full investigations over the duration of the six-month assignment, depending on the complexity and nature of cases assigned.
• For each investigation, draft investigation reports in accordance with WIPO templates and CII investigative standards.

3. Working Modality

• The Investigations Consultant shall work on a hybrid basis: primarily home-based with in-person presence in Geneva, Switzerland, as required for interviews, meetings, or evidence review.
• All work shall be carried out under the direction and supervision of the Director, IOD, who retains full managerial oversight over the investigations function.
• The Consultant shall respect all applicable WIPO policies, including those relating to confidentiality, data protection, and the use of WIPO IT systems and premises.
• WIPO shall provide the Consultant with access to case files, relevant databases, and office space (when on-site) as required for the performance of the assignment.
• All communication and deliverables shall be submitted in English, unless otherwise agreed with the Director, IOD.

4. Administrative and Financial Considerations

4.1 Compensation Structure

The Investigations Consultant shall be compensated under a hybrid model comprising:

• A daily rate (DR) applied to billable working days. and
• A deliverable-based payment component tied to the acceptance of final investigation reports.

This dual structure is designed to ensure accountability, prevent overuse of billable days, and align the Consultant’s remuneration with measurable outputs.

4.2 Billable Days

• The total number of billable days per case shall be agreed in writing between the Director, IOD and the Consultant prior to the commencement of each investigation.
• No additional days beyond the agreed cap per case shall be invoiced without the prior written approval of the Director, IOD.
• Billable days are those working days on which the Consultant actively performs investigation-related activities, as documented in the pre-investigation plan and any authorized amendments.

4.3 DURATION OF THE CONTRACT AND Payment Schedule

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations of a daily rate in Swiss francs.

Invoices shall be submitted by the Consultant monthly and shall be accompanied by a timesheet, a brief activity log per case, and, where applicable, the relevant completed deliverable. Payment shall be made within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt and approval of the invoice by WIPO and successful completion of agreed milestones.

The duration of the contract is expected from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to budget availability, satisfactory performance and business needs.

5. Performance Management

5.1 Performance Standards

The Investigations Consultant shall be expected to maintain the following performance standards throughout the assignment:

• Delivery of the agreed number of completed investigations (3–6 investigations) over the six-month period.
• Timely submission of deliverables within the agreed timelines and the case-specific pre-investigation plans.
• Consistent adherence to WIPO and CII investigative standards and professional conduct requirements.
• Maintenance of strict confidentiality and integrity in the handling of all case materials, evidence, and witness information. and
• Active and professional engagement with the Director, IOD, including timely communication of case developments, risks, and challenges.

5.2 Performance Review

The Director, IOD shall conduct an informal performance review at the three-month mark of the assignment to assess progress against deliverables, quality of work, and professional conduct. Feedback shall be communicated to the Consultant in writing. The Consultant shall be given the opportunity to respond.

6. Profile

6.1 Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s level or equivalent) in law, criminology, international relations, public administration, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying investigation experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

6.2 Certification

• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation, issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), is desirable.

6.3 Professional Experience

Mandatory:

• Candidates holding a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation are required to have a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in administrative investigations, preferably within the United Nations system or comparable international organizations. Candidates without a CFE designation must have at least ten (10) years of such experience.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, including but not limited to: harassment and abuse of authority, fraud, procurement irregularities, conflicts of interest, financial misconduct, and violations of standards of conduct.
• Proven experience in conducting investigative interviews of complainants, witnesses, and subjects under caution, in compliance with due process requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and evaluate documentary, digital, and testimonial evidence, including maintaining a chain of custody.
• Substantial experience in drafting evidence-based investigation reports in English, structured in accordance with United Nations or equivalent international standards. and
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of the CII Uniform Guidelines for Investigations.

Desirable:

• Prior investigation experience at international organizations affiliated with the United Nations.
• Experience in or exposure to external quality assessments or peer reviews of investigative functions.

6.4 Skills and Competencies

The following skills and competencies are required:

• Strong analytical and critical reasoning skills, with the ability to assess evidence objectively and draw well-supported, legally sound conclusions.
• Excellent report-writing skills in English, with the ability to produce clear, structured, and professionally formatted investigation reports.
• High degree of integrity, independence, and professional objectivity.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong interpersonal and interview skills, including the ability to engage effectively with diverse individuals in culturally sensitive contexts.
• Capacity to work independently, manage multiple cases simultaneously, and meet deadlines without close supervision. and
• Familiarity with relevant UN and international organization staff regulations, rules, and disciplinary procedures.

6.5 Languages

• Full proficiency in written and oral English is mandatory.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable, given WIPO’s bilingual working environment.

7. Reporting

The Investigations Consultant shall report directly to the Director, Internal Oversight Division (IOD) or, as delegated, to the Senior Investigator, IOD.

The Consultant shall not disclose, share, or discuss any case-related information, evidence, findings, or conclusions with any other WIPO staff member, official, or external party, except with the prior written authorization of the Director, IOD or as required by WIPO’s applicable policies and procedures.

All deliverables under this ToR shall be addressed to the Director, IOD and transmitted through secure, agreed channels. Physical case files and evidence shall be handled and returned in accordance with WIPO’s evidence management and retention protocols.

Upon the conclusion or early termination of the assignment, the Consultant shall return all WIPO documentation, case files, evidence, and electronic materials to the Director, IOD, and shall retain no copies thereof.

8. OTHER INFORMATION

ICS Consultants fall outside the coverage of employment contracts for WIPO Staff members and are not subject to the WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules. The Consultant has no entitlement to vacation or sick leave, except for WIPO official holidays, or to medical insurance or staff pension. Absences from work will be deducted from the Consultant’s payment on a pro-rated basis.