Roving Internal Control and Oversight Specialist (ICOS) – Afghanistan At INTERSOS

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Roving Internal Control and Oversight Specialist (ICOS)

Code: 28-7696

Duty station: Afghanistan with possible assignments to other missions

Starting date: 01/07/2023

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Country Director

Dependents: non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff.

It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential.

At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

The Internal Control and Oversight Specialist (ICOS) is responsible to provide operational management to conduct the investigation activities for allegation of misconduct, and to oversee the internal control mechanism aimed to prevent misconduct.

S/he contributes to ensuring ethical and compliant procurements as per the INTERSOS procurement manual and Missions SOPs.

Main responsibilities and tasks

• Management of the complaints concerning misconduct of National Staff.
• Keeping the database of the managed complaints updated and available.
• Refer to relevant actors and senior managers in case of misconduct or breaches of the rule, following the established pathways.
• Technical assistance and support provided to the Senior management in the Mission for investigative and fraud prevention activities
• Field spot check
• Implements and carries out in coordination with the logistics department and the two above mentioned supervisors the processes of ethical and compliant procurements from the threshold of ITB-5 procedure and above following the Procurement manual and the SOPs.

Specific duties:

• Conduct investigations (at National level) related to complaints, in compliance with INTERSOS internal policies, and producing all relevant investigation documents;
• Immediate refer to the PSEA focal point in the mission and PSEA Coordinator in HQ for any SEAH (sexual exploitation and abuses, harassment) suspected or confirmed incident.
• Immediate referral of survivors of SEAH to the relevant actors in the Mission for follow up.
• Plans, organizes and conducts investigations, in accordance with the applicable rules involving a preliminary assessment of the complaint/allegation, interviews of staff and third parties, review of documentary and electronic information, analysis of the facts, organization of the evidence, and determines the appropriate presentation of investigative results including the preparation of reports;
• Prepares and edits required written outputs with logical and clear presentations of investigative findings, facts; circumstances, conclusions and recommendations to support management decisions regarding any disciplinary or corrective action. Written outputs include investigative plans, records of interviews, and investigative reports;
• Maintains effective liaison with Internal Auditor and PSEA Coordinator in HQ;
• Participates in awareness and training activities on the prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption in INTERSOS; and carry out ad hoc controls and checks. Specifically, verify the correct application of INTERSOS procedures concerning the procurement of goods, works and services, the use of assets owned by the Organization. In particular:
  • Carry out vendors’ offers and physical address verification for the procurement of goods, services, or woks from the threshold of ITB-5 procedure prior to POs/contracts signing by the contracting authority referring to the SOP.
  • For procurements with threshold above the ITB-5 procedure, ensure the conformity (documented) of the selected samples with the technical specifications set forth in the tender dossier given to the suppliers prior to contract awarding.
  • Ensure the integrity of the sealed bids prior to their opening by the committee.
  • Enable/enforce an effective reporting mechanism regarding potential procurement mismanagement.
• Performs the above listed duties within the period of assignment in other Missions (Nigeria, South Sudan or other countries where INTERSOS is operating).
• Performs other duties as required

Required profile and experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in investigation, law, management, finance, audit, or a related field such as Procurement Logistics and Supply Chain Management, etc

Professional Experience

• Five years of relevant experience in fact-finding/investigatory work preferably, but not limited to, misconduct and wrongdoing by employees, suppliers, and partners organizations, including fraud and other forms of corruption, using investigation techniques and procedures.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant working experiencewith at least 1 years in senior accountability role.

Professional Requirements

• Proficiency in reporting
• Proficiency in MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, outlook etc.)
• Planning and Organizing (ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with peaks of heavy workloads
• Strategic vision
• Driving and achieving results
• Teamwork (Ability to delegate and work in team)

Languages

Working knowledge of English​

Personal Requirements

• Availability for deployment in multiple countries
• High integrity.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Relationship building.
• Very good diplomatic & negotiation skills.
• High Flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Problem solving and decision making; ability to create solutions to operational problems.
• Leadership: developing and motivating staff.
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values.
• Respect of INTERSOS policies and procedures.
• Strong commitment to beneficiaries’ best interests.