Investigator, Abuse and Exploitation

Background/IRC Summary:  

The International Rescue Committee is among the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organizations. The IRC has been at the forefront of virtually every major humanitarian initiative to assist people uprooted by war, persecution, or civil conflict for the last 80 years. And, more than 80 years after Albert Einstein helped create the IRC, the number and intensity of humanitarian crises across the globe warrant a dose of Einstein-inspired innovation. 

The world’s more than 50 million displaced people, the most since World War II, require more than “aid as usual.” Their growing and increasingly complex needs mandate a transformation—a creative rethinking—in the global humanitarian response. 

The beneficiaries of its programs deserve evidence-based interventions that bring real change to their lives. That is what the IRC is determined to deliver. 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 11,000 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. And unlike any other humanitarian organization, it is also here, in 26 U.S. cities, helping newly arrived refugees adjust to life in America and make a contribution to their new country.

Job Overview/Summary:

Reporting to a Sr. Investigator, the Investigator  –Abuse and Exploitation,  will assist the Ethics and Compliance Unit in conducting investigations into allegations of abuse, exploitation and other forms of misconduct against beneficiaries and staff.  This includes but is not limited to allegations related to sexual exploitation and abuse of beneficiaries, and other forms of misconduct such as sexual harassment and discriminatory conduct toward staff.  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 the law/regulations and the further development of complaints mechanisms and investigation capacity. The position will work with other IRC functional areas and programs to support our partners, sub-grantees and other agencies in fostering a work environment that minimizes the potential for abuse, exploitation and other forms of misconduct.

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. In connection with this latter function, the ECU is vested with the responsibility to detect, deter and investigate allegations of misuse of grant resources.  This position will play a key role in meeting these challenges by furthering a critical mission of the Ethics and Compliance Unit - to safeguard our employees, beneficiaries, staff and resources from misconduct and abuse in challenging and high-risk operating environments. As the investigations will involve transactions, individuals and entities in the field, the position requires extensive travel, coordination with investigation teams, forensic specialists and external contractors as required.

Major Responsibilities:

• Undertake investigations of allegations of abuse, exploitation and other forms of misconduct against beneficiaries and staff;
• Ensure objectivity, impartiality and fairness throughout investigative processes 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, conduct investigative research, prepare draft investigation reports, and present investigative results in a clear written form;
• Prepare reports and ad hoc briefs pertaining to investigations in coordination with the Sr. Director, Investigations, and others as appropriate;
• Support the preparation of work plans and the prioritization of investigative work in consultation with Compliance Unit management. Work with, monitor and assist the work of contracted specialists as appropriate;
• Act as an IRC expert  for IRC’s programs on the prevention of abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries globally;
• Work with IRC stakeholders to maintain, update and disseminate training materials and assist with efforts to build capacity with local staff;
• Work on other misconduct investigations and ECU projects as requested.

Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: Senior. Investigator
Position directly supervises: None

Other Internal and/or external contacts

Internal: Headquarters departments, international and U.S. program operations as needed

External:  Vendors, service providers and external auditors and contractors as needed

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required in business, accounting, criminal justice or related field.

Certificates, licenses or advanced degrees in law, accounting or computer forensics an advantage: (CFE/CFF/CPA/CA/CCEP)

Work Experience:

• 5+ years of experience conducting sexual exploitation, abuse and other misconduct investigations in challenging environments, and in the locations where the IRC operates;
• Experience in the nonprofit, NGO sectors or grant-supported organizations, or the inspector general function within a large government organization;
• Extensive experience of working with children and vulnerable adults, including demonstrable experience of undertaking difficult interviews and investigations, with sensitivity;
• Experience working with investigation teams in distant locations and insecure environments;
• Experience examining forensic evidence; electronic evidence and working with computer forensic and accounting forensic specialists;
•  Experience conducting interviews of witnesses and subjects;·Experience drafting for issuance and disclosure, written reports of investigation. 

Travel to insecure environments required 

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Investigation principles and techniques associated with sexual exploitation and abuse;
• Excellent judgment and discretion
• Knowledge and expertise related to the investigation of other forms of misconduct (such as discrimination, harassment, conflicts of interest, fraud, collusion, bribery and corruption) is especially helpful
• Fluency in French or Arabic is preferred.
• Extensive Interviewing skills and the ability to interview both witnesses and subjects;
• Experience with computer and accounting forensic specialists preferred
• Communications – Written and Oral English
• Relationship Building
• Data Analysis
• MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and VISIO
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work successfully with internal functional units and operations
• Ability to work well within a team environment and adhere to reporting structures;
• Excellent writing and report drafting skills 

Working Environment: 

• Position is based in New York, NY with a standard office work environment
• Travel 50% or more to developing countries including insecure environments