Safeguarding Investigator

Job Description

The IRC has grown because its teams have gone to the toughest places, done cutting-edge research, developed in-depth knowledge, and forged vital relationships with local governments. Today its 14,000 employees and 13,000 incentive workers work in 170 field offices in 40 crisis-torn countries are helping communities rebuild after Ebola, survive terrorist insurgencies, and recover from war. From health care to education to protection for women and girls, the IRC is there.

The Safeguarding Investigator position will conduct investigations on a global scale of high priority cases involving beneficiary exploitation and abuse. The position will support IRC programs to ensure continued vigilance with regard to the risks associated with violations of IRC’s Code of Professional Conduct and Policies and the further development of investigation capacity.

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. This position will play a key role in meeting these challenges by furthering a critical mission of the ECU: to safeguard our employees, beneficiaries, staff and resources from misconduct and abuse in complex and high-risk operating environments through investigating allegations of fraud, collusion, and corruption in the use of the grant funds.

The position may be filled by local candidates who are willing to work remotely in the following locations: Geneva-Switzerland; New York-USA; London- UK, Beirut-Lebanon; Amman-Jordan; Nairobi-Kenya; Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire; and Cameroon.

Major Responsibilities

• Undertake investigations of alleged safeguarding violations, specifically beneficiary exploitation and abuse (economic and sexual), with objectivity, impartiality and fairness throughout the investigative process and in accordance with generally recognized international investigative standards and IRC guidelines

• Formulate investigation plans, review and analyze all information to determine its relevance and reliability

• Conduct interviews of staff and other involved parties, record interviews, obtain and analyze potential documentary and electronic evidence, and conduct investigative research

• Prepare draft investigation reports, including ad hoc briefs, and present investigative findings in a clear written form

• Draft recommendations for corrective action and improved controls and effectiveness or efficiency of IRC operations

• Work with Compliance Coordinators or other local staff assigned to support safeguarding investigations

• Lead or participate (depending on the level) in the prioritization of investigative work in consultation with Ethics and Compliance Unit management

• Deliver investigation training, remotely and in person, to Country Program staff supporting safeguarding investigations

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required with an emphasis on gender studies, human rights, international relations, criminal justice or related field, a plus.

Work Experience:

• 8+ years of investigations, Gender based violence, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, audit or compliance experience considered. Safeguarding investigations experience, a plus.

• Experience with exposure to highly sensitive information, and ability to maintain confidentiality, including legal and financial information.

• Ability to remain respectful, empathetic, and diplomatic in the face of difficult and uncomfortable situations and conversations surrounding reviews and assessments.

• Proven ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and communicate effectively across multiple levels in a complex global organization.

• Experience in the nonprofit, NGO sectors or grant-supported organizations, regional and international organizations, or the inspector general function within a large government organization a plus

• Experience working with investigation teams in remote locations and insecure environments

• Extensive experience conducting interviews of victims/survivors, witnesses and subjects in multicultural environments

• Travel to insecure environments required

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Interviewing skills and the ability to interview reporters, witnesses and subjects, often in relation to highly sensitive matters

• Sexual Exploitation and Abuse investigation and interviewing experience preferred

• Excellent judgment and Honesty and Integrity in the highest degree

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, including the preparation of clear and concise reports, and strong analytical abilities

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work successfully with internal functional units and operations

• MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Demonstrated experience and a successful track record working with minimal direct supervision.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills in English required. Fluency in French or Arabic a plus.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Staff and Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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Qualifications