Global Investigations Director

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International is an international non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disaster. Established to save lives and promote long-term health and well-being, Relief International operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization focuses on providing essential services such as Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods programming, which are crucial for building community resilience. Relief International is committed to creating a representative, inclusive, and authentic workplace, actively encouraging applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds who possess lived experiences relevant to the contexts in which the organization operates.

Job Overview:
The Global Investigations Director plays a critical role in ensuring that all ethics and compliance allegations and incidents within Relief International are managed with the utmost professionalism and integrity. This position involves leading, guiding, and coordinating investigation activities across the organization’s operations. The role is highly visible and requires interaction with regional and country leadership teams, local incident management teams, global support office functions (including legal, finance, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and human resources), major donors, and law enforcement officials. The director will be responsible for overseeing the investigative process, ensuring that all allegations are addressed appropriately and that findings are communicated effectively to relevant stakeholders. This position is remote and full-time, with a preference for candidates based in the UK, and offers a salary of approximately £65,000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Global Investigations Director will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading the assignment, prioritization, and monitoring of investigative work; coordinating internal and external technical case leads; directly undertaking and leading investigations when high levels of objectivity, resources, or expertise are required; collaborating with country teams to formulate investigation plans; presenting investigation findings in clear and accurate reports; developing recommendations for corrective actions and improvements to internal controls and practices; ensuring timely disclosure and communication of matters to external donors and statutory authorities; overseeing the accuracy and timeliness of data in the Incident Management System; mentoring and managing those involved in investigative activities; leading the development or revision of investigative tools and templates based on best practices; delivering training on investigation and incident management to global and country teams; conducting analyses to identify trends and learnings from investigative activities; and contributing to the organization’s “speak up” culture through training programs, communications, role modeling, and thought leadership.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess progressive experience in conducting and overseeing investigations of alleged misconduct in international environments, particularly in high-risk and conflict settings. An undergraduate degree in law, business, criminal justice, or a related discipline is required, while a juris doctor or postgraduate qualification is preferred. Career experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced educational degree. Excellent relationship management skills, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively in various forms (written, verbal, presenting, interviewing) are essential. Experience in the international humanitarian or development sectors, government-funded grants, or the inspector general function within a government agency is also required. Candidates should have experience scrutinizing financial, electronic, and forensic evidence, as well as managing a team. Familiarity with a range of topical matters relevant to investigations, such as fraud, corruption, procurement integrity, safeguarding, human trafficking, and whistleblower protection, is crucial. A license to practice law in a commonwealth jurisdiction or professional designations such as CFE, CPA, or CCEP is desirable but not mandatory. Experience with incident management databases is a bonus.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an undergraduate degree in law, business, criminal justice, or a related discipline. While an advanced degree such as a juris doctor or a postgraduate qualification is preferred, relevant career experience may be accepted in place of such qualifications. This flexibility allows for a broader range of candidates to apply, ensuring that those with practical experience in the field are also considered.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have progressive experience in conducting and overseeing investigations, particularly in international environments that may involve high-risk and conflict settings. This experience should encompass a variety of investigative scenarios, demonstrating the ability to manage complex cases and lead teams effectively. Candidates should also have a strong background in the international humanitarian or development sectors, as well as familiarity with government-funded grants or the inspector general function within a government agency.

Languages:
While fluency in English is mandatory, knowledge of additional languages such as French, Arabic, or other languages relevant to Relief International’s countries of operation is considered a plus. This linguistic capability can enhance communication and understanding in diverse operational contexts, making candidates more competitive for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as requiring enhanced pre-employment checks, including criminal records self-declaration, references, and other checks that may involve police and qualifications verification. The role is remote and full-time, with an open-ended contract. Relief International is committed to safeguarding all individuals encountered through its work and adheres to core humanitarian principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. The organization actively encourages applications from women and people of color, emphasizing that candidates should apply even if they do not meet every single requirement, as they may still be the ideal fit for the role.