UNDP Investigations Specialist Job 2026: Home-Based Opportunity

Overview

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking an Investigations Specialist within its Office of Audit and Investigations. The position is home-based, with Panama City, Panama listed as the location, and is open to external applicants. It is offered under an International Personnel Service Agreement at IPSA-10 level for an initial period of one year.

The specialist supports assessments and investigations by the Investigations Section, which handles allegations such as fraud, corruption, retaliation against whistle-blowers, workplace and sexual harassment, abuse of authority and violations of UNDP regulations. The work contributes to establishing the facts in complex cases.

Duties include reviewing misconduct complaints, doing research and analysis, supporting witness interviews, collecting and recording evidence under chain-of-custody procedures, and communicating with complainants and witnesses. The specialist also helps prepare investigation and interview plans, investigation and closure reports, maintains case files and databases, analyzes information from internal systems and open sources, supports investigations in other regions, and documents lessons learned and best practices. Missions to UNDP offices may be required, including to locations with hazardous working conditions.

Requirements

The post requires an advanced university degree, such as a master's or equivalent, in investigations, law, fraud examination, accounting forensics or a related field. A first-level degree in these areas may be considered with additional qualifying experience.

Master's holders need at least five years of relevant experience and bachelor's holders seven, covering investigations, investigation report writing, editing and preparing communications material. At least one year in an international investigation role is also required. Desirable experience includes work in an international investigation office, administrative investigations, UNDP or UN system experience, familiarity with OAI and UNDP investigative procedures, and use of Microsoft Office, presentation software and forensic software such as Intella.

Fluency in English is required. Spanish is desirable, and another official UN language is an advantage.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the official UNDP recruitment system. UNDP asks candidates to follow its guidance on the responsible use of AI during recruitment.

Key dates

The vacancy was posted on 16 September 2026. Applications close on 1 October 2026 at 05:59 AM.