Senior Integrity, Investigations and Compliance Leader
From frontline legal protection in Africa to building country level integrity frameworks in Iran and Iraq, my career has moved steadily toward the heart of institutional accountability.
Career at a Glance
10
Field Postings Across 6 Countries
27
Staff Led at Peak
5
Professional Certifications
Career History / 01
CareerTimeline.
- Jul 2023 - PresentCurrentErbil, Iraq
Associate Integrity Officer
UNHCR
700+ Staff TrainedAnnual Control ReviewsMonthly Integrity Briefings- Designed and delivered Code of Conduct, anti-fraud and PSEA/H training to more than 700 staff and NGO partners.
- Led annual internal control reviews, assessing fraud vulnerabilities within case management systems and translating findings into corrective recommendations for senior leadership.
- Coordinated monthly integrity briefings for senior leadership, converting investigative trend data into actionable recommendations on internal controls and risk mitigation.
- Feb 2022 - Jul 2023Tehran, Iran
Associate Integrity Officer
UNHCR
450+ Staff TrainedFraud Trend AnalysisAnnual Vulnerability Assessments- Delivered targeted anti-fraud training to over 450 staff, investigators, fraud assessment panel members and partner personnel.
- Managed fraud allegation intake records and conducted trend analysis, producing reporting that directly informed senior leadership decisions on risk mitigation.
- Led annual fraud vulnerability assessments, identifying control gaps within operational systems and issuing corrective action recommendations as part of the formal risk review cycle.
- Jul 2019 - Dec 2020Arua, Uganda
Protection Officer
UNHCR
250,000+ Persons Served181 Partners TrainedDocument System Rollout- Served a combined population of over 250,000 persons of concern across Rhino Camp and four West Nile settlements.
- Delivered protection training to 181 partner staff and 63 senior government officials.
- Introduced standardised document management systems for secure physical and electronic record-keeping across a multi-settlement operation.
- Jan 2019 - Jul 2019Mbarara, Uganda
Protection Officer
UNHCR
27 Staff Led270,000+ Persons of Concern5 Locations Covered- Coordinated a team of 27 protection staff across a population of around 270,000 persons of concern.
- Oversaw legal, anti-fraud and protection activities across five locations in Southwest Uganda: Nakivale, Isingiro, Kyaka, Rwamwanja and Nyakabande Transit Centre.
- Served as the alternate Anti-Fraud Focal Point, supporting fraud prevention and detection activities alongside core protection responsibilities.
- Mar 2016 - Dec 2018Nakivale, Uganda
Resettlement Expert
UNHCR
200+ Cases Annually3-Nationality CaseloadRSD Standards Compliance- Prepared and submitted Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs) for over 200 cases annually, meeting quality and compliance thresholds for referral to the Nairobi Regional Support Hub.
- Conducted resettlement interviews for vulnerable and protracted refugee populations, assessing eligibility in strict alignment with UNHCR Standard Operating Procedures.
- Researched and analysed Country of Origin information to build well-substantiated resettlement cases across complex protection profiles.
- Nov 2014 - Jan 2016Kasulu, Tanzania
Resettlement Expert
UNHCR
100,000+ Camp ResidentsHigh-Volume RRF CaseloadNyarugusu Camp Operations- Monitored pending cases and family composition changes to ensure no eligible beneficiary fell through the gaps during a period of camp population growth exceeding 100,000 residents.
- Delivered resettlement interviews and RRF submissions for Burundian and Congolese refugee populations at Nyarugusu camp during a period of significant influx.
- Maintained proGres case management records and physical case files across a high-volume caseload, supporting timely referrals to the Nairobi Regional Support Hub.
- Mar 2013 - Nov 2014Cairo, Egypt
Associate RSD Officer
UNHCR
9+ Nationalities AssessedRSD Decision Quality ReviewWorkflow Efficiency Gains- Reviewed and endorsed RSD decisions while providing structured feedback to junior staff, contributing to consistent decision quality across a high-volume urban caseload.
- Monitored RSD trends and compiled statistics to identify processing bottlenecks, enabling timely adjustments to workflow and decision-making efficiency.
- Conducted RSD interviews and prepared protection assessments for asylum seekers from 9+ nationalities across Africa and the Middle East, applying UNHCR legal standards and refugee protection frameworks.
- Jul 2011 - Mar 2013Kakuma, Kenya
Senior Resettlement Assistant
UNHCR
Active Follow-Up SystemReduced Community AnxietyEast Africa's Largest Operation- Tracked submission outcomes across resettlement country pipelines, maintaining an active follow-up system to monitor approvals and rejections and flag cases requiring intervention.
- Reduced misinformation and community-level anxiety around the resettlement process through structured group counselling.
- Supported the resettlement pipeline at one of East Africa's largest and most complex refugee operations, contributing to a caseload spanning multiple nationalities and vulnerability categories.
- Jan 2010 - Jul 2011Kakuma, Kenya
RSD Associate
UNHCR
High-Volume CaseloadRSD Legal StandardsCase Record Integrity- Maintained accurate and current case records for individual RSD files, supporting data integrity across an active and high-volume protection caseload.
- Conducted refugee status determination interviews for protracted refugee populations at Kakuma Refugee Camp, drafting RSD assessments in line with UNHCR legal standards and applicable guidelines.
- Provided counselling to asylum seekers and refugees on RSD procedures, protection entitlements and expected timelines to support informed engagement with the process.
- Jan 2009 - Dec 2009Nairobi, KenyaKC
Legal Assistant
Kituo Cha Sheria (Centre for Legal Empowerment)
Legal Literacy TrainingADR & MediationPro Bono Representation- Mobilised community members and delivered training on legal and human rights issues, building legal literacy among populations with limited access to formal legal services.
- Drafted legal opinions, case briefs, concept notes and donor proposals to support the organisation's litigation, advocacy and fundraising functions.
- Facilitated Alternative Dispute Resolution and mediation sessions for employment disputes, helping clients reach negotiated settlements outside the formal court system.
Education and Credentials / 02
Education &Credentials.
Education
Executive MBA, Business Administration and Management
Quantic School of Business and Technology, Washington DC
Post Graduate Diploma in Law (Advocates' Training)
Kenya School of Law, Nairobi, Kenya
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Certifications
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
SEA Investigator (Tier 2)
Humentum
Certified Professional Mediator
Mediation Training Institute East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Certified Secretary, Governance and Compliance
Kenya School of Law, Nairobi, Kenya
Protection Learning Curriculum
UNHCR
Testimonials / 03
What ColleaguesSay.
Silper Pesa
Senior Administration and Finance Officer, UNHCR, Iraq
“I would recommend her without hesitation for senior or advisory roles in governance, integrity, compliance, investigations, safeguarding, institutional accountability and risk management.”
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In Iraq, I saw firsthand the impact of Jael's work as the country focal point for anti-fraud, PSEA/H and integrity. She strengthened prevention, detection and response mechanisms; developed and operationalized anti-fraud and PSEA/H SOPs; conducted end-to-end fraud investigations; led internal-control and fraud-vulnerability reviews; and translated investigative trends into practical risk-mitigation recommendations for senior management. A particularly notable contribution was her capacity-building work: she trained more than 700 staff and NGO partners in Iraq on the Code of Conduct, anti-fraud and PSEA/H, helping strengthen understanding and accountability across the operation.
Based on my experience working with Jael, I would recommend her without hesitation for senior or advisory roles in governance, integrity, compliance, investigations, safeguarding, institutional accountability and risk management. What distinguishes her is not only her technical expertise, but her ability to engage strategically with leadership, partners and technical teams while handling highly sensitive matters with fairness and integrity. She is a professional I trusted to provide evidence-based advice, challenge constructively and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and accountability, and I am confident she would add significant value to any organisation she joins.
Zoya Golovneva
Legal Officer, UNHCR, Iraq
“I highly recommend her services to any organization seeking reliable, insightful, and principled leadership combined with extraordinary legal skills.”
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Working with Jael in UNHCR in Iraq was an outstanding experience. As our Integrity Officer, she provided sound legal advice and practical support that helped various teams navigate complex challenges with confidence. She also developed and rolled out several internal and external trainings on integrity and fraud prevention. Besides being an excellent professional in the area of legal affairs and integrity, she is an easy going and kind hearted person, super pleasant to work with. I highly recommend her services to any organization seeking reliable, insightful, and principled leadership combined with extraordinary legal skills.
Joyce Wahome
Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR
“In particular, she has great international experience and knowledge in the areas of Protection from Sexual Exploitation, safeguarding, integrity and ethics. She has experience and is also a trainer in these areas.”
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Jael is a dedicated and knowledgeable colleague. She takes time to learn more about her fields so that she is an expert in her field. In particular, she has great international experience and knowledge in the areas of Protection from Sexual Exploitation, safeguarding, integrity and ethics. She has experience and is also a trainer in these areas. Jael is also pleasant to work with and is highly regarded by her peers, and her senior and junior colleagues. She establishes good relationships with her colleagues and also with external partners.
Irene Caritas
Associate Protection Officer, UNHCR, Tanzania
“I wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Chunge and am confident that she will continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact wherever she serves.”
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It has been my privilege to work with Ms. Chunge across different portfolios within UNHCR, including Resettlement, Protection, and Community-Based Protection (CBP). Since 2014 in Tanzania, she has played key leadership and technical advisory roles in promoting integrity, anti-fraud measures, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
Jael has been an invaluable member of every team she has served. She is exceptionally hardworking, highly skilled, and deeply committed to achieving results. She consistently inspires professional growth among her colleagues while fostering a healthy work-life balance and a collaborative team environment.
She is a results-oriented professional who is always willing to go the extra mile. Her innovative thinking, consultative approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence ensure that clients and stakeholders receive the highest quality of service. Jael approaches every challenge with professionalism, integrity, and compassion, making her a trusted advisor and an outstanding leader.
I wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Chunge and am confident that she will continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact wherever she serves.
Manpreet Singh
Protection Officer, UNHCR, Iran
“In summary, her reliability, ethical judgement, and collaborative spirit make her highly recommended for any role requiring strong integrity oversight and steadfast dedication to organizational values.”
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I am known to Ms Jael during my tenure at the UNHCR Iran office. I have always noted that she has demonstrated exceptional dedication to upholding ethical standards and promoting transparency as an integrity officer. Her keen eye for detail and strong sense of responsibility ensure that all organisational policies are rigorously monitored and enforced. During our office team meetings, her suggestions always upheld the programmes and policies, keeping the assistance to the vulnerable at the stage with ethics and integrity always at the centre.
She communicates effectively with team members and management, skillfully navigating complex situations with professionalism and fairness. Her commitment to integrity fosters a trustworthy work environment, inspiring confidence among colleagues. Her analytical skills and proactive approach to problem-solving make her an invaluable asset to any team focused on compliance and ethical governance.
In summary, her reliability, ethical judgement, and collaborative spirit make her highly recommended for any role requiring strong integrity oversight and steadfast dedication to organizational values.