Investigator

Job Description

Job Overview

Two commitments lie at the foundation of the IRC’s work: 1) our unceasing quest to serve the needs of our beneficiaries; and 2) our determination to meet the requirements of our donors as trusted stewards of their resources. Our Ethics and Compliance Unit (ECU) plays a critical role in this mission by upholding and promoting our code of conduct, the IRC Way, to ensure that we carry out our work following the ethical and moral principles that support our humanitarian calling. One of the main responsibilities of the ECU is to safeguard our workers, beneficiaries and resources from misconduct and abuse in high-risk operating environments through investigating allegations of fraud, waste, collusion, corruption, exploitation, and other misconduct.

As an Investigator, you support IRC Country Programs in Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, and South Sudan. Your main responsibility is to conduct investigations into violations of the IRC Way, including the misuse of grant funds. You are integral to developing, improving, and promoting complaint mechanisms, and expanding the ECU’s investigation capacity. You collaborate with other IRC functional areas and programs to support our partners, sub-grantees, and other agencies in encouraging a work environment that minimizes the potential for misconduct.

Your work location is flexible – you can either work from an IRC office or remotely from your home base. It is preferable, however, that you have experience working in or with countries in East Africa in which the IRC operates. Proficiency in English is required for this role. This role also encompasses travel to our offices and field locations within the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate alleged fraud, corruption, waste, safeguarding violations, and any other type of misconduct, with objectivity, impartiality, and fairness throughout the investigative process and in line with international investigative standards and IRC guidelines.

• Formulate investigation plans; obtain, review, and analyze all information; conduct interviews of staff and other parties; record interviews; acquire and analyze evidence; conduct investigative research.

• Engage with Country Directors, Regional Vice Presidents, and other relevant team members on investigations; streamline investigative steps with in-country Compliance Coordinators or other local staff assigned to support investigations.

• In coordination with the Senior Investigator, ECU management, and others as appropriate, prepare ad hoc briefs and draft investigation reports, presenting investigative results factually and accurately in a succinct written form.

• Prepare recommendations for corrective actions and improved controls and effectiveness or efficiency of IRC operations.

• Assist in the prioritization of investigative work.

• Participate in improving compliance-related standard processes, specifically based on lessons learned from investigative work.

• Train Country Program staff supporting investigations.

Job Requirements

• Work Experience:

o 4-6 years of experience in the private and/or public investigations sector. This includes experience conducting investigations into fraud, corruption, vendor and supplier collusion, safeguarding matters, etc. in complicated environments, and preferably in locations where the IRC operates.

o Extensive expertise in examining forensic, financial, and electronic evidence.

o Proficiency in interviewing witnesses and subjects in multicultural environments.

o Experience working with diverse investigation teams, including in remote locations and insecure environments.

o Experience in the nonprofit and NGO sectors, with grant-supported organizations, regional and international organizations, or the inspector general function within a large government organization is advantageous.

• Languages: Proficiency and fluency in English.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (or similar) in law, international relations, criminal justice, journalism, finance, accounting, or a related field.

• Certification: Certificates, licenses or advanced degrees in law, accounting, or computer forensics (i.e., CFE/CFF/CPA/CA/CCEP) are an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Investigative curiosity, an analytical mind, and attention to detail.

• Excellent judgment, honesty, and integrity.

• Expertise in fraud investigation principles and techniques to detect procurement fraud, collusion, bribery and corruption, etc.

• Clear and effective communication, both orally and in writing, including in diverse and multicultural environments.

• Excellent inter-personal skills, experience in conducting interviews with empathy and purpose.

• Proven track record of building relationships with internal programs and operational units.

• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare factual, clear, and concise reports in a timely manner.

• Confidence in working with minimal direct supervision, with a focus on delivering quality results.

• Strong time management skills with the ability to adjust quickly to multiple demands and changing priorities.

• Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Experience with digital e-discovery tools is a plus.

Reporting Lines and Relationships

• Reports to: Senior Investigator – East Africa, ECU.

• Supervises: None.

• Other internal and/or external contacts:

o Internal: Headquarters departments, international and US program operations.

o External: International representatives, partners, vendors, suppliers, service providers, and external auditors, as needed.

Working Environment

• Location: Working from home or in an IRC office in your home base.

• Travel: Travel (30%+) to IRC offices, field sites, and possible insecure environments is required (post Covid-19 travel restrictions). #LI-FC1

Qualifications