Senior Field Investigator (National staff: Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia & Morocco)

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

Under the management of the Secretary General and the guidance of the Audit and Risk Commission, the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations provides an independent high-quality audit, investigation and consulting service that is designed to add value and give management objective assurance on the effectiveness of the Federation Secretariat’s risk management framework and internal control environment. The Department is part of the Secretary General’s Office

Strategy 2030 was adopted by the General Assembly in November 2019. As part of the strategic transformation action 3: “Ensuring trust and accountability”, the IFRC committed to fully embrace a culture of ethical practice and to place personal and institutional accountability at the heart of all our work. The IFRC deepen its efforts to prevent, identify and respond to instances and allegations of behaviour that are contrary to our humanitarian principles and values.

Job Purpose

Based in the MENA Region (Anywhere in the countries mentioned in the title), but with travel to the field (as needed), the Senior Field Investigator will act as a regional lead professional, delivering integrity and investigations, under the direction and supervision of the Investigations Manager. He/she provides advice, guidance to and support National Societies, in MENA Region, as strong and effective local actors. He/she ensures, across the region, the development of robust integrity systems, and the implementation of whistleblower systems, financial transparency and accountability, and timely action when integrity incidents or transgressions are identified.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Delivering investigations

• Conduct high quality investigations of misappropriation of funds, misuse of power and fraud cases involving IFRC funds, staff and also including individuals and parties external to the IFRC but connected to its programs such as National Societies and suppliers.
• Conduct high quality investigations of serious misconduct (sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment) involving IFRC staff, including individuals external to the IFRC but connected to its programs.
• Carry out investigative field missions, sometimes for an extended period of time.
• Conduct investigations in accordance with generally recognised international investigation standards (CII, CHS) ensuring that the integrity of all evidence obtained is maintained through the course of investigations, and with due respect and consideration to a diverse employee population, taking into account cultural and language differences.
• Care for and support the people affected, including survivors, whistleblowers, witnesses, and subjects.
• Collect evidence, interview survivors, witnesses and subjects, review documents and perform analysis.
• Oversee, advise and guide external resources such as consultants or surge investigators.
• For each investigation, maintain and update records, protocols, and case management system.
• Prepare thorough and well-written investigation reports that are of a consistently high quality with soundly based findings and appropriate recommendations and present them to the Head of Investigations and relevant managers, as appropriate.
• Prepare fit for purpose briefings and presentations to functional Regional Management on findings including root causes and control and/or process gaps, together with the Investigations Manager and/or Head of Investigations.
• Initiate and maintain an internal liaison with different departments under the supervision of the line manager and the Head of Investigations.

Working effectively as a distributed team

• Develop and maintain knowledge of investigation and integrity practises and approaches, and to share this knowledge with others to enhance quality service provision.
• Function effectively with high integrity and ethics as a member of a multi-national and multi-disciplinary team.
• Manage incidents that are time-sensitive, highly confidential, and pose significant risks to the IFRC.
• Maintain professional approach when conducting challenging or difficult conversations at all levels of the IFRC.
• Use own initiative, sound judgement and experience to reach appropriate decisions.
• Handle multiple cases simultaneously, prioritising workloads.
• Manage a regional team of investigation professionals or interns.

Inspire people to act with integrity.

• Lead ethics and integrity by example, living and displaying ethical values.
• Conduct integrity awareness training including formal presentations, workshops and written materials.
• Contribute to integrity related policies, documents, guidance, tools, procedures and directives.
• Communicate investigation outcomes to deter and prevent misconduct.

Support and develop National Societies (NS), members of the Federation.

• Map and develop the NS capacities to prevent, respond and investigate allegations of misconduct.
• Develop and disseminate investigation and integrity guidelines, systems, and tools to ensure consistency and effectiveness across National Societies.
• Ensure implementation of robust integrity systems, and whistleblowing mechanisms (e.g. Integrity Line).
• Work and support the NS corruption awareness and capability.
• Provide technical and thought leadership on investigation matters to the NS.
• Lead a professional community of practice on integrity and investigations in the Region.
• Develop regional investigation capacities and the regional investigation surge roster.
• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

• University degree or equivalent  - Required
• Professional investigation qualification (CFE, PCI or CHS SEAH) - Required

Experience

• Five years and above experience on investigations - Required
• Experience in working for humanitarian, charitable or not for profit organization - Preferred
• International Experience - Required

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Good understanding of the principles and application of good corporate governance, business and operational risk management, and effective internal controls - Required
• Good working knowledge of prevention and investigation of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) - Required
• Good working knowledge of fraud and corruption prevention, detection and investigation - Required
• IT literate with skills in systems and data analysis using Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAAT) - Preferred
• Good knowledge of information systems auditing and security  - Preferred
• Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and techniques of financial and management accounting - Required 
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with different audiences, adapting style to fit situation - Required 
• Ability to gather, analyse, and evaluate facts, and prepare and present concise oral and written reports - Required 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships throughout the organisation - Required 
• Project management skills, and ability to handle multiple priorities  - Required 
• Analytical with strong problem-solving ability - Required 
• Fluently spoken and written Arabic and English - Required 
• Good command of French - Preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values:

• Respect for diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Accountability

Core competencies:

• Communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Judgement and decision making
• National society and customer relations
• Creativity and innovation
• Building trust