Internal Investigator for Abuse of Persons for the MSF International Pool of Investigators

Location: Current MSF location with potential travel to conduct investigations in MSF Country programmes
Contract: Required to have the permission of manager to be freed to conduct a certain number of investigations per year (on a pool/roster)
Duration: As needed per investigation

Deadline to apply : 19th August 2024

THIS IS NOT A FULL TIME POSITION BUT WILL BE IN ADDITION TO YOUR REGULAR POSITION AND NOT RENUMERATED IF ALREADY CONTRACTED BY MSF

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 26 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND
MSF is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and dignified environment for its patients, their caretakers, and the communities in which it works, and for all its volunteers and staff. To this end, all sections of MSF have adopted Behavioral Commitments designed to ensure all staff are aware of their obligations to create a safe working environment free from abuse and inappropriate behaviour.
MSF is committed to the prevention of abuse and upholding its obligation to address all allegations of abuse in a timely and professional manner. MSF has established systems to address and respond to abuse across its operations and in its offices, including the MSF Standards for Case Management for investigations into abuse of persons.
As MSF expands its sensitization activities about expected behaviour and abuse and its reporting mechanisms, it is expected that the number of complaints about abuse will increase, as has been the trend in MSF since 2018.
Thus, to further reinforce its response to abuse, MSF seeks to create an international pool of investigators to investigate allegations of abuse of persons, in line with the MSF Typologies of Abuse. The pool will consist of both internal (MSF staff) and external (non-MSF staff) investigators who will work with relevant behavioural leads and investigation managers in MSF to conduct investigations into abuse /violations of the MSF Behavioural Commitments and/or Code of conduct, as assigned by the Global Pool of Investigators Manager (GPIM). The GPIM will respond to requests for investigators in MSF, maintain the pool to ensure sufficient qualified investigators are available to meet MSF’s needs.
You will be given training about case management and investigations, and more junior investigators will be paired with more experienced investigators to learn investigation procedures and process in MSF.

DO NOTE you will not receive additional remuneration for this role (if you are currently employed by MSF). You must commit time and be available or arrange to be freed from your regular duties for the period of investigation or be able to devote time to investigations as agreed by your direct manager.

We aim to find an inclusive, diverse pool of investigators that represents our global workforce.
This role is open to those working in all MSF offices and country programmes and MSF staff.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
MSF is looking for internal investigators (persons already working with MSF or in-between assignments with MSF) with a suitable profile to be part of the internal pool of behavioural/abuse investigators. As an internal investigator for the Global Investigation Pool (GPI), you will be responsible for conducting behavioural investigations requested within MSF (concerning abuse of persons). You will be under the coordination of the GIPM(Global Investigation Pool Manager), who will assign you to the MSF entities in need for an investigation.
This is NOT a full-time role, you will work in your regular position, and be requested to conduct investigations on an as-needed basis with time agreed to be freed from your regular position, by your manager to conduct the investigation.
Once assigned to a case, you will work under the coordination of an investigation manager or the Behavioral Committee of the operational center (OC), or partner section concerned. You will work on the entire investigation process, including conducting interviews, analyzing evidence, managing the confidentiality of the process, and drafting the investigation report, in line with the OC or partner section investigation manager’s requirements.
Those selected will be placed on MSF’s Global Pool of Investigators and engaged by the 6 MSF Operational Centres (OC) (Amsterdam- Paris- Brussels- Geneva – Barcelona -West and Abidjan), and entities of MSF on an as-needed basis to conduct investigations into abuse of person.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The position is meant to support MSF in conducting investigations about abuse of persons/violations of the MSF Behavioural Commitments or Codes of Conduct.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• As assigned by the Global Pool of Investigators Manager, work with different operational centers, and offices in MSF to undertake investigations in-line with MSF’s Standards for Case Management.
• Undertake investigations about abuse as defined in MSF’s Behavioural Commitments, MSF OC or section’s Codes of Conduct or applicable policies; this includes allegations of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, bullying, discrimination, harassment, abuse of power, aggression, and other forms of abuse in line with the MSF Typologies of Abuse.
• Ensure that investigations are conducted according to established safeguarding principles, and Standards for Case Management, including having a victim-centered approach and ensuring due process.
• Uphold principles of confidentiality at all times.
• Declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
• Collect evidences, interviews, witnesses and subjects of complaint, review documents, and perform analysis of the information collected.
• For each investigation, maintain and update case related records as required by the investigation manager.
• Complete required forms and templates for the investigation, including but not limited to investigation reports as assigned by the investigation manager and agreed in the terms of reference for the investigation. Deliver required forms/reports in a timely and professional manner to the investigations manager.
• Prepare thorough and well-written investigation reports that are of a consistently high-quality with soundly based findings and appropriate recommendations
• Ensure data is secured in line with the MSF entities’ data protection policies.
• Any other tasks assigned by the investigations manager or behavioural unit lead as relates to the investigation conducted.
• Make recommendations to improve the investigation process.

VI. JO REQUIREMENT

Experience

Degree OR equivalent experience working in Human Resources, Psychology, Sociology, Law, or Human rights, OR as a field coordinator, country manager/head of mission.

OR

Experience working with an MSF field operation or office (but not presently working in Operations or front-line Human Resources or on a Board of Directors for MSF to avoid potential conflicts of interest).

AND

Strong interest and commitment to undertake investigations and advance MSF’s commitment to no tolerance for abuse in its operations and offices.

• Experience conducting administrative investigations is an asset.
• Experience conducting administrative investigations in MSF Country programmes or with a behavioural committee, or training on MSF investigations into abuse is an asset.
• Other investigation training is an asset (e.g., CHS, OSACO or other investigation training).

Requirements

• Understanding of/ willingness and commitment to undergo, training on MSF Standards for Case Management and investigation principles and procedures.
• Strong motivation to support MSF in safeguarding and countering abuse and to learn about safeguarding/management of abuse in MSF.
• Able to ensure and commit to uphold the utmost confidentiality and discretion.
• Willingness and ability to work as an investigator (in addition to regular work functions)/commit time to investigations within MSF without (additional) remuneration (if in a paid role with MSF)
• Willingness to travel and to work in emergency situations, in remote locations and high-risk settings, if required.

Technical skills

• Knowledge of safeguarding reporting systems (e.g. Clue, Ethicspoint, Integrity line and others) is an asset, but not required.

Competencies

• Strategic thinker, strong analytical skills, with excellent time management skills.
• Result oriented, tenacity, and positive attitude.
• Ability to remain respectful, empathetic, and diplomatic.
• Ability to analyze legal documents relating to local laws.
• Sensitivity and discretion, integrity.
• Cross cultural awareness and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
• Able to work independently and in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel and to work in emergency situations, in remote locations and high-risk settings, if required.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate facts, and prepare and present concise oral and written reports.

Languages

• Recommended to have good command of French or English. Knowledge of, other languages is considered an asset as MSF is looking for a diverse pool of investigators who can work in multiple languages across multiple settings.

Conditions

• Start date: This is NOT a full-time position, you will be added to the pool/roster with the agreement of your manager and contacted when needed.
• Location: Current location, with ability to travel to operations/offices if required.
• Training and support will be provided but there will not be additional remuneration for MSF salaried staff.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing any type of abuse and inappropriate behaviour. MSF expects all staff and volunteers and consultants to share this commitment through adherence to our Behavioural Commitments.