Investigator

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 resources against fraud and other forms of abuse in challenging and high-risk operating environments. This position will serve these functions through investigating allegations of fraud, collusion and corruption in the use of the grant funds.  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 alleged fraud, waste, financial corruption, misconduct, ensuring objectivity, impartiality and fairness throughout investigative processes in accordance with generally recognized international investigative standards and IRC guidelines and ECU policies and procedures;
• Prepare and finalize draft investigative reports in English that are clearly and well written with appropriate presentation of facts, analysis and conclusions, and in accordance with ECU standards;
• 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, status reporting for ongoing cases, and ad hoc briefs pertaining to investigations in coordination with the Sr. Director, Investigations;
• 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.

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

Work Experience:

• 6-8 years of international financial fraud investigations (procurement, vendor/supply chain) experience (including substantive experience in developing countries and insecure environments);

• Excellent writing and report drafting skills;

• Experience conducting fraud, collusion, bribery and corruption investigations in challenging environments, and in the locations where the IRC operates;

• Experience leading investigations of complex fraud, collusion and procurement fraud in government programs, NGO programs or the equivalent;

• Experience of investigating sexual exploitation and abuse a plus;

• 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 in the nonprofit, NGO sectors or grant-supported organizations, or the inspector general function within a large government organization;

• Excellent judgment and discretion.

  Travel to insecure environments required

  Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Fluency in French is a requirement

• Fraud Investigation Principles and Techniques, including Procurement Fraud, Bribery, Collusion and Corruption

• Extensive Interviewing skills and the ability to interview both witnesses and subjects

• Experience with computer and accounting forensic specialists (having such expertise a plus)

• Communications – Written and Oral English

• 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 in English

• Data Analysis

• MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and VISIO

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

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