Ethics Unit Manager

Job Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Ethics Unit Manager will be the point person for prevention, detection & response to fraud and safeguarding violations. S/he will lead a team of fraud investigators, trainers and safeguarding specialists. Their knowledge and advice will help strengthening of and adherence to standards for safeguarding and fraud prevention, contributing to the continued efficiency and effectiveness of our programming to the people we serve.

Roles And Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and solutions to the Country Program (CP) leadership team to strengthen internal control systems and procedures; and build capacity of the country program to comply with FAM and Safeguarding procedures, applicable local laws, and donor requirements.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of relevant donor requirements for CRS Sudan programs, including USAID, World Bank, UNICEF, WFP, specific corporate and foundation donors on Safeguarding and Fraud Management.
• Ensure Partner’s fraud and safeguarding policies and procedures are in alignment with CRS polices and build capacity of Partners on fraud and safeguarding.
• Support the design and facilitation of trainings and Institutional Capacity Strengthening plans for CRS Partners and staff in line with CRS and donors’ policies, procedures, systems and requirements.
• Coordinate and lead the country program’s internal and external audits, and risk/compliance visits for the CRS Sudan program; work closely with leadership teams in drafting the audit management disclosure letter and support audit findings and closures.
• Track reports of sensitive feedback from diverse sources from initial report to closure, including managing a tracker, appropriate and timely referral for response and investigation of cases including rapid responses to safeguarding violation survivor support needs and security risks, documentation of responses and resolution, and providing regular updates to Senior Management Team (SMT) and donor liaisons on cases and progress.
• Manage and coordinate investigations and other special audits and ensure key steps over the entire investigation cycle (planning, fieldwork, reporting and follow up) are effectively carried out as per CRS Fraud Allegation Management (FAM) & Safeguarding Allegation Management (SAM) Procedures, Policies, local laws and donor regulations.
• Formulate investigation plans/SoWs. Monitor, support and coordinate the work of investigative teams to ensure output meets quality standards and are delivered according to established schedules. Effectively manage the workflow of individual cases assigned & work towards timely resolution and closure and ensure caseload in the Country Program is managed effectively.
• Oversee the preparation of investigation reports and the inclusion corrective actions to address gaps in knowledge, systems, or procedures to strengthen prevention efforts. Maintain/update Fraud Allegation Management (FAM) & Safeguarding Allegation Management (SAM) case files in whistleblower system and case statistics/analytics.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening activities in safeguarding violations, fraud and investigations for staff and partners through helping develop training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and awareness programs, and mentoring and coaching to CP staff.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing relevant data, evaluating, and measuring impact of activities, capturing, and sharing lessons learned to identify trends, best practices, and research and internal reports.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance assessment for direct reports.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide standards and tools, including detection and response processes to fraud and safeguarding violations, guidelines, reporting formats and how to incorporate such standards into relevant CRS business practices.
• Lead annual and ad hoc review of the CP’s Risk Management Framework, ensuring relevance, capacity building, and compliance with the Action Plan.
• In liaison with DRD Ops, linking to the regional risk tracker, bring together all the CP corrective action plans, audit recommendations, ICQ improvement plans, risk management frameworks, project-level risk assessments, and other risk and compliance analyses, build staff capacity, carry out required training, ensure an integrated and comprehensive risk and compliance management system with action plans, and follow-up implementation for the CP.
• Regular visits to Sudan to carry out assessments, investigations, training and capacity building of staff and partners.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (SKAs)

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented
• Unpretentious and smart; a problem solver who seeks to find constructive solutions within compliance and policy requirements. Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Promotes the integration of a survivor centered approach in all areas of their work
• Contributes to safeguarding risk assessment and mitigation strategies in relation to areas of their work
• Promotes widespread awareness and where applicable, use of safeguarding reporting channels throughout their work
• Knowledge of industry safeguarding/sexual exploitation and abuse principles and standards
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation, and networking skills
• Strong analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation and report building; strong computer skills including facility with standard desktop applications.
  
  

Required Languages - English and Arabic written and spoken fluency required.

Travel - Telecommuting; travel to Sudan at least 25% is required, including to remote and risky environments.

Work Conditions/Environment Conditions: Telecommuting, remote work-from-home; travel to Sudan at least 25% is required, including main office and remote, low resource locations.

Supervisory Responsibilities - None

Key Working Relationships: (Optional)

Internal: Head of Operations; Country Representative; Risk & Compliance Unit; Sr. Officer Safeguarding; EARO Safeguarding Advisor II; Safeguarding Partner Advisor; Ethics Unit Regional Managers and Field Officers; Ethics Unit Director; Regional Directors/Deputy Directors; Country Representatives; Members of the Safeguarding Working Group including Human Resources, Humanitarian Response, Partnership, Protection, MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning), Compliance, Fraud Management, Business Development; Protection Technical Advisors; Country Program Safeguarding Focal points.

External: Caritas International (CI), InterAction, Humentum, CHS Alliance, other CI MO, NGO and UN Safeguarding Staff, Donor Safeguarding focal points.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications & Experience:

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Social Work and Social administration International Development, Psychology or related discipline required.
• CIA, CFE or CPA or similar qualification strongly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of, and experience working with, USG, FCDO, World Bank, UN, EU/ECHO, and other major public donors
• Knowledge of protection, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, and the field of safeguarding.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience implementing safeguarding policies and practices related to staff (internal) and/or partners (external).
• Experience in conducting investigations of staff misconduct.
• Experience providing oversight and direction to staff by using effective interpersonal and communication skills; influence others both within and outside of functional areas of responsibility.
• Experience in creating and rolling out culturally sensitive training and capacity-building programs, materials, and communications.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Minimum of 7 years related work experience, ideally with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in operations and/or programming. At least 5 of these years involving audit, compliance, risk management experience or safeguarding, protection.
  
  

Agency Competencies (for All CRS Staff)

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
  
  

Agency Leadership Competencies

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strateg y and team priorities.
  
  

What We Offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

About Us

CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About The Team

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.