Investigation and Safeguarding Officer

As a member of Finn Church Aid (FCA) Human Resources and Administration Department (HRAD), Quality and Accountability Team, Investigation and Safeguarding Officer is in charge of managing investigations relating to alleged gross misconduct of staff, enhances compliance to safeguarding policies and procedures and the FCA Code of Conduct, and provides capacity building on complaints handling and managing investigations.

Besides the duties relating to human resource management and administrative issues, HRAD is responsible of developing and managing global complaints mechanism, addressing sensitive complaints (SEA, fraud and corruption), and supporting the country programmes in issues relating to complaints handling and safeguarding. The Investigation and Safeguarding Officer is a new position within HRAD Quality and Accountability Team, and works in collaboration with Finn Church Aid Country/Regional Offices as well as all FCA Head Office staff. 

The Investigation and Safeguarding Officer will report to the Quality and Accountability Manager.

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Manages investigations of cases relating to SEA and financial misconduct, providing support to country teams and management as appropriate, and ensures that investigations are managed in accordance with FCA Complaints Policy and related procedures

• Occasionally, investigates sensitive cases relating to SEA and financial misconduct.

• Conducts reviews on complaints handling and safeguarding in country programmes, in close coordination and cooperation with International Risk and Compliance Manger, and provides analyses and recommendations for corrective actions

• Ensures that emerging learnings and best practices are taken into account in the development of relevant guidelines, tools and processes.

• Provides technical advice on complaints handling to all levels of organisation

• Provides capacity building on managing investigations to all levels of organisation

• Contributes to ensuring that complaints and concerns relating to gross misconduct, particularly sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and child safeguarding, received through FCA global complaints mechanism are dealt with in accordance with FCA policies and in a timely manner

• Contributes to development and implementation of the FCA complaints and safeguarding policies and procedures 

• Supports capacity building activities relating to safeguarding and complaints handling

Competence and Personal Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience

• Proven expertise in investigations at the work place according to international standards required (related certifications an asset), in humanitarian and development setting.

• Substantial experience in managing and/or leading investigations of serious complaints in humanitarian and development settings, and drafting high-level reports.

• Strong understanding of safeguarding and protection policies and procedures, and related challenges. Acquaintance with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) is an asset. 

• Ability to apply international standards on safeguarding and accountability on programme level.

• At least 3 years working experience of positions involving investigation and/or managing investigation duties (in humanitarian and development settings?)

• At least 5 years working experience in the humanitarian or development organisations, preferable part of it in the field.

• Proven experience in capacity building measures in face-to-face as well as ICT based trainings

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment

• Ability to rapidly assimilate a range of complex information and make expert judgements

• Good understanding of financial management

• Solution-seeking and problem solving capacity

• Ability to innovate

• Ability to travel 

• Ability of popularisation of technical jargon

• Good communication and reporting skills

• Good command of English; Finnish and French are an asset

This is a fixed term position of two years with six months’ probation period, starting as soon as possible. The compensation is based on FCA Compensation System and depends on prior work experience.

For more information please contact Aarno Lahtinen, Quality and Accountability Manager, Human Resource and Administration Department, aarno.lahtinen (at) kua.fi, or by phone +358 40 73 95 881 on Friday, May 29, 09.00–10.00 hours (UTC +3) and Tuesday, May 2, 14.00–16.00 hours (UTC +3).

Please apply by using the link no later than June 8, 2020.

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s largest development co-operation organisation and the second biggest organisation in Finland working in humanitarian aid. FCA is a founding member of the international aid alliance of churches, ACT Alliance. We seek positive change by supporting the most vulnerable people in fragile contexts. We specialize in supporting local communities’ right to peace, livelihoods and quality education. Qualified and interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.

FCA practices zero tolerance against child abuse. FCA’s Child Safeguarding Policy applies to all FCA staff. FCA has zero tolerance concerning aid diversion and illegal actions and may screen applicants against international lists to ensure due diligence and compliance with Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism requirements. 

FCA is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS).