Investigator (S)

Background:

This position is open for secondment only and participating States are kindly reminded that all costs in relation to an assignment at the Secretariat must be borne by their authorities.
The duties and requirements of this seconded (S) position correspond to a P3-level role in the UN common system. Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered. Seconded staff members in the OSCE Secretariat and Institutions are not entitled to a Board and Lodging Allowance payable by the Organization.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna assists the Chairpersonship in its activities, and provides operational and administrative support to the field operations, and, as appropriate, to other institutions.

The Office of Internal Oversight (OIO) is part of the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, Austria. OIO is responsible for planning and delivering internal audits, investigations, and independent evaluations of the Organization's activities, including field operations. The work of OIO provides assurance on the adequacy of governance, risk management, and internal control; contributes to ensuring compliance with the Organization's regulatory framework; and helps enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Investigator will support the assessment of incoming indications or allegations for referral to investigation and the investigation of cases of alleged misconduct, malfeasance, waste of resources, or other violations of the Organization's Regulatory Framework in accordance with OSCE applicable instructions, policies and practices. Specific tasks involve carrying out diligences aimed at assessing whether allegations are substantiated and also involve planning, organizing, conducting, and reporting on investigations within OIO’s mandate. This includes obtaining and analyzing evidence and conducting interviews; as well as drafting and finalizing reports and communications.

The Investigator will also support the Office of Internal Oversight’s counter-fraud activities by assessing the potential for fraud and other violations in selected executive structures, processes, programmes and projects and by delivering trainings and other briefings on fraud/misconduct related subjects, as needed. The Investigator will interview management, staff members and others as part of an ongoing investigation; discuss planning and logistics and results arising from investigations; review irregularities, assess their impact, seek identification of their cause, and circumstances of their occurrence; and to assist in overcoming deficiencies in an area of control or accountability; assist in identifying causes for deficiencies and to facilitate corrective/remedial action.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Investigator (S), the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

1. Assessment and Planning: Assessing incoming indications or allegations to determine whether they are substantiated and representing a prima facie case of misconduct, and providing recommendations to the Chief Investigator; Proposing investigation plans and timetables to the Chief Investigator;
2. Investigative Techniques: Assisting the Chief Investigator on complex investigations, and leading other investigations as required; Conducting interviews, taking statements and analysing facts and findings, obtaining and reviewing pertinent documentation, and preparing relevant evidence with a specific attention to the chain of custody and due process;
3. Investigative Concepts: Using theories, concepts and approaches relevant to administrative investigations, with an emphasis on fraud, complex information technology issues, retaliation, whistle blowing, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse and violations of OSCE financial/ administrative instructions;
4. Reporting and Follow-up: Drafting complete and concise closure and/or investigations reports, recommending action as appropriate and undertaking post-investigation tasks as relevant; Follow up on the implementation of recommendations, appraising their adequacy based on the results achieved by the actions undertaken; and making proposals for best practices to be incorporated within Internal Audit working programmes, or OSCE regulations, as appropriate;
5. Advisory: Providing guidance and advice to investigative teams tasked to investigate allegations outside of OIO’s mandate; Making proposals for improving investigation practices, policies and procedures, and in Internal Audit working programmes, as appropriate;
6. Fraud Risk and Control: Assisting in developing and performing fraud risk assessments to identify vulnerable areas including the development of strategies for fraud prevention and detection; Developing and proposing recommended improvements of a remedial and/or innovative nature to improve the control and accountability framework of OSCE;
7. Performing other related duties and assignments as required.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the OSCE Secretariat, please see: Secretariat | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in law, applied criminal justice, business administration, accounting, or another relevant discipline;
• A minimum of seven years (five years with a relevant second-level degree) of professional-level experience in investigative activities (legal, judicial or court experience and internal audit work can also be considered relevant experience);
• Demonstrated experience in investigations into complex and serious cases of fraud, corruption and other misconduct;
• Demonstrated experience using research, analytical and problem-solving skills including to efficiently and accurately, identify, assess and summarize investigative issues and findings, observations and recommendations;
• Demonstrated experience in report writing and conveying complex information in a clear and concise manner;
• Professional fluency in English with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; working knowledge of at least one other language from the OSCE region is an asset;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity;
• Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. If your participating State does not provide the option to apply online for seconded positions, you are kindly requested to submit your offline application form available at https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/offline-application-form to the respective OSCE delegation whose address can be found at https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts open for secondment, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages the nomination of qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds.

The OSCE is a non-career organization committed to the principle of staff rotation; therefore, the maximum period of service in this post is 10 years.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please apply to your relevant authorities well in advance of the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered. The OSCE can only process Secondment applications that have been nominated by participating States. For queries relating to your application, please refer to the respective delegation as listed here: https://www.osce.org/contacts/delegations.

Please be aware that OSCE appointments are subject to medical clearance.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

Additional Information

• Issued by: OSCE Secretariat
• Requisition ID: SEC001030
• Contract Type: International Secondment
• Grade: S
• Job Type: Seconded
• Number of posts: 1
• Location: SEC - OSCE Secretariat, Vienna
• Issue Date: Jun 18, 2026
• Closing Date: Jul 30, 2026
• Employee Status: Fixed Term
• Schedule: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree (First-level university degree or equivalent)
• Target Start Date: As soon as possible