Start date by early April 2021
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
The Intake and Investigations department is a newly forming team which is tasked with the intake and investigation of all reports of ethics violations including fraud, corruption, and Code of Conduct and Global Human Resources complaints. The team is responsible for managing all phases of this process from intake to investigative conclusion and then works with senior leadership for case closure. The Intake and Investigation department reports to the Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer and the board.
General Position Summary
The Investigator, Global Human Resources is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of violations of Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct violations, excluding safeguarding and fraud and corruption. The Investigator will plan, conduct and prepare reports for assigned investigations. Investigator(s) may use the support of country HR team members as appropriate and available. Investigations will be conducted in the field and remotely; working in a variety of diverse cultural contexts and time zones.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Effectively plan and execute impartial, thorough, timely and survivor-sensitive investigations
- Develop and draft timely investigation plans that identify risks and prioritize a survivor-centered approach
- Conduct witness, survivor, and subject interviews, both in person and remotely, in a survivor-sensitive manner
- Provide survivor-centered support to survivors and witnesses
- Identify, collect, and review documentary evidence needed for investigations
- Prepare detailed written investigation reports which may be subject to third party (donor) review
- Maintain organized, confidential, and thorough investigation files
- Coordinate with Co-Investigator(s) to support investigation efforts when possible; help build Co-investigator capacity
- Help identify lessons learned from global human resources investigations for the agency to consider when revising policies, procedures, and training
- Help build trust and confidence in Mercy Corps’ reporting, investigation, and follow up systems and foster a climate where team members feel confident and comfortable coming forward with issues
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and a survivor centered approach.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Investigations Case Manager, Global Human Resources
Works Directly With: Investigator(s), HR Officers, Field Teams
Accountability to Program Participants
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically
to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Knowledge and Experience
- At least 3 years of experience as a trained and practiced investigator is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge and interest in human resources, a sensitivity to cultural diversity and gender issues.
- Experience working in humanitarian aid or development, either living overseas or spending a significant amount of time in foreign countries is preferred.
- Ability to navigate difficult circumstances with a calm demeanor and in a methodical, analytical manner.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws.
- English fluency (written & verbally) required; strong preference for additional fluency in French, Swahili, Spanish and/or Arabic.
Success Factors
The successful Investigator, Global Human Resources will have knowledge of the INGO environment; deep knowledge of best practice in conducting investigations, including knowledge on how to conduct internal investigations in the context of insecure and opaque environments, with varying cultures, languages and education levels; and an enduring ability to move complex problems forward in a timely yet methodical manner. This person will have an utmost understanding of and appreciation for the confidential nature of this work. This person will have an abiding sense of empathy for the difficulties that INGOs face and an unwavering commitment to improvement in the face of these difficulties. They will have very strong project management skills and will be adept at communicating with and motivating a diverse array of stakeholders.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is flexible to be located in Mercy Corps locations in Africa or HQ US offices. Work authorization is required for the applicant’s target base locations at the time of application. It requires up to 50% travel to countries which may be listed as failed or failing states. Travel for investigations is occasionally urgent, resulting in travel departure within days of notice.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
More Information
- Job City Kenya, Uganda
