Global HR Investigator, Africa Region
Mercy Corps
On-site
Kenya
Description
Location: Africa and Middle East Region where Mercy Corps has Offices.
About Mercy Corps
Program / Department Summary
The Intake and Investigations division is tasked with the intake and investigation of all reports of ethics violations including safeguarding, fraud, corruption, and global human resources complaints including discrimination, bullying, harassment, or retaliation. 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 division reports to the Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer.
General Position Summary
The Global Human Resources Investigator is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of violations of Human Resources complaints involving discrimination, harassment, bullying and retaliation. 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 investigations
- Develop and draft timely investigation plans that identify risks and prioritize urgent issues
- Conduct witness and subject interviews, both in person and remotely
- 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
- Provide full-cycle communication to complainant, Country Director, and other Mercy Corps team members where appropriate, i.e. security, compliance, human resources, support HR Code of Conduct and awareness efforts with country teams and leadership
- 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
Knowledge and Experience
- At least 5 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, including report documentation
- 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
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports directly to Director of HR Investigations
Works Directly with Investigator(s), HR Officers, Field Teams
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Success Factors
The successful Global Human Resources Investigator will have knowledge of the INGO environment; deep knowledge of best practices in conducting human resources investigations; a proven ability to analyze complex situations with varying cultures, languages and education levels; the ability to objectively document and prioritize findings and to develop workable recommendations for improvement. This person will have an utmost understanding of and appreciation for the confidential nature of this work.
Living Conditions/ Success Factors
The position is based in either Africa or the Middle East Region, and it may require up to 25% 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. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ 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 meet 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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment. Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.