Regional Investigation Specialist - Asia, Europe and Latin America Region

Background

The Asia, Europe and Latin America Region for NRC comprises a diverse range of country programmes across a vast geographical area. Of four regions in Field Operations, the Asia, Europe and Latin America RO is based in Oslo covering three sub-regions: 1) Latin America, 2) Afghanistan & Iran and 3) Myanmar, Bangladesh & Ukraine. The operating environment is varied, encompassing a complex and multi-faceted set of humanitarian and recovery response needs.

The main purpose of this position is to be responsible for supporting and conducting internal investigations in the region, in coordination with the HO Anti-Corruption and Investigation Specialist and relevant regional and country office staff. The Regional Investigation Specialist will mainly conduct and advise on administrative, internal investigations into allegations of misconduct, but also on other potential violations of NRC’s rules and regulations as needed. The Regional Investigation Specialist is responsible for providing expert advice and to actively contribute to NRC’s wider learning on corruption risk reduction specifically, but also on other areas such as on PSEA as advised by the technical line.

The position of the Regional Investigations Specialist should secure independence by providing investigations that are ethical and free of conflict of interest and in turn, provide assurance to the affected communities, the organisation, and donors that complaints, allegations and incidents are investigated and resolved effectively, in a timely manner and without bias or prejudice, as well as ensuring confidentiality in sensitive cases. The Regional Investigations Specialist may be required to operate outside of the assigned region to manage or advise on high-risk investigations, relieve the pressure of high caseloads for other investigators or cover leave in other regions.

The incumbent will work closely with the Global Risk Management Section, the Regional Management Group, NRC Country Directors, and a variety of staff across NRC programmes in the region. She/he will report to the Regional Office, and have a strong technical line to the Head Office Anti-corruption and Investigation Specialist on technical aspects of investigations, investigation plans and casework, and to the Head of Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Safeguarding on all SEA cases and PSEA efforts.

This role is only open to bilingual fluent Spanish and English speakers

Role and responsibilities

Generic responsibilities

• Ensure a strategic and compliant approach to investigations procedures in accordance with the NRC investigation routines.
• Prepare investigation plans in coordination with the HO Anti-Corruption & Investigation Specialist and the Head of PSEA.
• Conduct fair and transparent internal investigations in accordance with agreed plans and complete investigation reports with clear responsive recommendations.
• Support, guide and oversee or manage investigations remotely that are being conducted by NRC staff in Country Offices in line with NRC standards.
• Conduct training to reinforce investigation capacities in the region and provide guidance to employees as potential whistle-blowers.
• Advise and train NRC managers and staff on prevention and reduction of fraud, corruption, and dishonest loss in collaboration with the RO and CO Risk and Compliance units and on PSEA in collaboration with the HO PSEA Unit.
• Actively promote anti-corruption and PSEA best practises and contribute to the NRC global learning by sharing success stories, system gaps and risk patterns.
• Support the corruption risk identification and assessment processes for country offices in collaboration with the RO and CO Risk and Compliance units.

Specific responsibilities

These responsibilities shall be adapted to the particularities of the job location and context, phase of operation, strategic focus, and type of intervention. This section shall be revised whenever a new employee is hired or the context changes significantly.

• Assess initial reports of possible misconduct in line with NRC guidelines.
• When required, travel to carry out high-quality, internal investigations in country offices in the region or other NRC locations, including documentation analysis, interviews of witness’s and subjects of concern and other investigative actions. Position may require extensive travel.
• In consultation with other NRC regional positions, the HO Anti-Corruption and Investigations Specialist, the HO PSEA Unit, and other relevant Head Office staff, coordinate due process and help promote compliance with NRC policies and processes.
• Prepare regular analysis reports for regional management, the HO Anti-Corruption and Investigation Specialist, and the HO Head of PSEA, outlining trends and highlighting specific issues related to investigations and corruption in the region.
• Train, coach, and mentor country office staff with investigations responsibility, or involved in investigations.
• Contribute to the development of capacity building programmes, including but not limited to Code of Conduct, investigations and Anti-Corruption.
• Roll out capacity building and learning while in country offices.
• Support high risk investigations, offload large caseloads or cover leave/absence in other offices or regions upon request and in line with NRC procedures
• Co-ordinate with Risk & Compliance and other sections on the follow up of investigations and recommendations based on findings and trends
• Other related tasks, as required

1. Competencies

1. Professional competencies

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies:

• University degree or equivalent in investigations, law or other related field,or significant training and experience in the field of investigations
• Formal training and/or certification in investigative methodology (ACFE, CIP)
• At least 5 years investigative experience
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Context/Specific skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish.
• Experience with administrative investigations
• Management experience in the humanitarian sector.
• Relevant international work experience, ideally in conflict or post-conflict settings
• Experience of a survivor centered approach in sexual misconduct case work
• Clear ethical focus, high integrity, and ability to confidentially handle sensitive information

Behavioural competencies

NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies and the following are essential for this position:

• Analytical thinking
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Initiating action and change
• Working with people
• Handling insecure environments

Additional Information

Position: Regional Investigation Specialist

Reports to: Regional Head of Risk and Compliance

Duty station: Oslo

Travel: up to 50% within region and other travel outside of region if required

Duration of contract: 2 years renewable based on funding

Salary and Benefits : Per the NRC scale

Language: Fluency in Spanish and English Required