Oversight Officer

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

Job Category:

This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members (link) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

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The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Oversight Officer in the Office of Internal Oversight.

The Office of Internal Oversight (OIO) is a functionally and operationally independent office responsible for providing professional and objective oversight functions designed to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, to reinforce a culture of accountability and to strengthen the ethical climate of the WTO. The OIO is mandated to assist the Director-General in fulfilling her oversight responsibilities in respect of management, staff, and resources of the WTO by conducting investigations, internal audits, inspections, evaluations and other forms of assessment. The OIO helps hold the WTO Secretariat accountable to the Members by reporting through the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration. 

General Functions

Reporting exclusively to the Head of Office, the Oversight Officer will provide technical, analytical and communications support and insights across all Oversight functions (audit, evaluation, inspection, and investigation), in fulfilment of the WTO's strategic objectives, with an emphasis on creating, protecting, and sustaining value. 

The incumbent's responsibilities are to: 

1.    Work with the Head of the OIO and the team in prioritisation of oversight areas through providing actionable insights and reporting based on data analytics, information synthesis, trend and root cause analysis, and effective communications. 
 
2.    Support the processes of intake and assessment of reported concerns and investigations into alleged misconduct.  

3.    Contribute to evaluations, audits and inspections, working with the OIO team and other stakeholders.

4.    Ensure that the investigation case management system and restricted OIO drive are kept up to date with the relevant case file information. This includes ensuring that all relevant workflow information from intake to triage and conclusion is completed in line with timelines, investigation interviews and case diary voice notes are transcribed and securely stored, and chain of custody is completed where relevant.

5.    Handle management of responses and communications on the Integrity Line, and communications on post-investigation recommendations. 

6.    Ensure that recommendations and remedial measures resulting from audits, inspections, and evaluations are logged and tracked on data capture systems, and communicate with stakeholders to monitor progress with implementation.   

7.    Assist the Head of the OIO in conducting analysis of Oversight data for key performance indicator reporting, and for inputs into the OIO's reports to the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration. 

8.    Perform search and analytical tasks in investigations, inspections, audits, evaluations, fraud risk assessments, and other OIO independent reviews.  This includes conducting open source intelligence searches, supporting email and other forensic searches, and collecting and analysing data and information.

9.    Conduct communications and outreach activities to support the campaigns of the OIO, including fraud awareness, whistleblowing and other initiatives. 

10.    Research and implement use of technology including Artificial Intelligence to support analytical and other OIO tasks.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in criminology, forensics, data science, social science, or another relevant field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with additional related work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. 

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Accredited Counter Fraud Technician or Specialist (ACFS), or other similar professional accreditation is required. 

Qualifications or accredited training in data analytics, OSINT, statistics, research, or related area is desired.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

•    Good working knowledge of data and information management.

•    Ability to interrogate data and information on case management systems and databases; managing software and systems for data collection, analysis, monitoring and reporting.

•    Knowledge of or a keen interest in information systems management, information security, artificial intelligence, data management, data privacy.

•    Ability to produce impartial, credible, and timely reports on complex subject matters.

•       Technical knowledge of fraud risk assessment. 

•    Strong attention to detail. 

Behavioural Skills:

•    Ability to safeguard the reputation and independence of the OIO and to enhance its authority, credibility and independence while nurturing the proactive and approachable nature of the oversight function. This includes:

- Demonstrating uncompromising adherence to strong ethical principles and values;
- Maintaining strict confidentiality and discretion; 
- Fostering fairness and inclusion;
- Striving for continuous professional development and innovation. 

•    Capacity to develop and maintain working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority, both inside and outside the organisation. 

•    Adaptability and respectful attitude in supporting and gaining the support of others to achieve objectives.

•    Capability to understand complex information and ability to present it, both orally and in writing, in a clear, fair and concise way. 

•    Excellent planning and organizational skills, and capacity to work autonomously.

•    Self awareness and resilience when under pressure, including when addressing conflicts.

Organizational Competencies:

Core Competencies: 

•    Communicating for Results
•    Effective Collaboration
•    Cultivating Progressive Growth
•    Professional Accountability
•    Relevant Digital Proficiency
•    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Work Experience:

A minimum of five years of experience in an oversight or related analysis role is required. (e.g. intake management, investigations intake and triage, audit recommendation tracking, due diligence, inspection, open source intelligence, evaluation, compliance or monitoring) 
   
Experience working with confidential information and exercising highest discretion is required. 

Experience in using investigations case management systems, audit or evaluation tracking systems is desired.

Experience working for an international or multilateral organization, or multinational corporation is desired.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of French is required. 

Knowledge of Spanish is desired.

Additional Information - Contract Duration:

Five years non renewable.
 

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.