Consultancy objectives

Develop a planning framework for the next two years that would consider the following:

• Continuation and sustainability of a well-functioning IQTS scheme (Tiers one, two and three)
• Further elaborate Tier 4
• Situate the scheme within a wider policy and coordination framework on supporting investigations
• Confirm the partnership arrangements between Humentum and CHS Alliance
• Explore any further partnership arrangements required
• Confirm and explore the resource requirements needed to fulfil the plans
• Develop a proposal and budget for continued funding

Timeframe – ASAP to end of September. Up to 30 days

Reports to the ED, with close engagement with the Training Lead, IQTS Manager and the Director of Programmes

1. Context

Addressing sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment (SEAH) remains an ongoing and serious challenge for organisations working in the aid sector.
To do so better, requires strong accountability mechanisms to tackle reports of SEAH, in a way that protects the survivors and victims of abuse.
The conduct of credible, independent and impartial investigations into SEAH allegations is imperative; furthermore, it is a regulatory requirement for most organisations. Persons handling complaints or undertaking investigations into allegations of SEAH must be properly qualified and trained – this is to protect the rights of the survivors, victims, whistle-blowers and witnesses, as well as those of the alleged perpetrators.  High quality investigations are required for organisations to take appropriate disciplinary measures against perpetrators, to minimize the risks of adverse litigation and to prevent perpetrators from moving between organisations.
To address the gaps in the capacity of the sector, CHS Alliance, with its partner Humentum, has been working since the beginning of 2021 to build a new scheme for certification of SEAH investigators, the Investigators Qualification Training Scheme (IQTS). This new certification scheme is designed to increase the credibility of the investigations function within organisations and expand the pool of qualified independent investigators. The scheme is ready to launch but its success rests in being able to reach as many organisations as possible, maintain continuous learning as well as engage with the broader discussions and advances in the system to support this area of work.

2. Work to date

• Development and publication of the SEAH Investigation Guide. Developed in collaboration with numerous stakeholders, including FCDO, USAID, IFRC, UNICEF, World Vision, and Oxfam, the guide provides best practice guidance, tools, and steps for conducting survivor-centred SEAH investigations in the humanitarian and development sector. The guide has been translated into French, Spanish, Standard Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Polish, and Ukraine
• Completion of the Tier 1 online ‘Foundations of SEAH Investigation’ course. Available free through Disaster Ready and to subscribers through Humentum’s Learning Services, this self-paced course introduces participants to the purpose of investigations, roles and responsibilities, the phases of an investigation, and the investigation principles through two online modules and a built-in exam.
• Development of the Tier 2 Investigation Practitioner training. In this online course of five learning weeks, participants learn the practical application of the investigation phases and principles through ten study modules, webinars and discussion forums facilitated by experienced trainers with significant SEAH investigation experience. Upon completion, participants undertake an externally delivered online multiple-choice examination.
• Development of the Tier 3 Advanced Investigation Practitioner training syllabus. This course, facilitated by trainers with extensive SEAH experience, is a five-day, face-to-face training that includes simulation exercises including interview scenarios and a practical final assessment and exam to assess aptitude, behaviour, skill, and knowledge.

3. Moving forward

Since the launch of the development of the scheme, it will take the following to make this initial investment in developing the scheme to be able to achieve the goal of increasing the accountability through well run investigations into SEAH. Donor funding will be needed for the next three years while a longer-term business model is developed.

• Objective one – Management of the Scheme – Promotion, roll out of training, and continued learning
• Objective two – Enhancing the capacity of investigators – Guidance, accompaniment, and support
• Objective three – Engagement with broader investigation initiatives

Objective one – Access and management of the Scheme – Roll out, uptake and learning

For the scheme to have success, it needs to consider the following:

• Promotion – especially with smaller organisations and those in the global south.
• Tier two and tier three training sessions – scheduled and well run, capable of absorbing the demand, yet maintaining quality.
• Relationship with external examiners – An external third party will deliver the multiple-choice exam related to Tier 2 to candidates electronically. There is scope to generate exam revenue through a tiered pricing system, with revenue being used to provide for future updates/revisions to the Investigation Guide, training materials, and translations.
• Training of trainer module development – The current pool of trainers will need to be expanded to cater for the IQTS. New training of trainer modules will need to be developed and possibly two/three half-day workshops developed to provide future trainers with advice on facilitating the IQTS
• Subsidy fund – A subsidy fund would serve to encourage participants from lower income countries, or smaller organisations, to join the scheme. It could either be used to sponsor single participants application, or to organise in-person Tier 3 events in specific countries. In order to assess the level of subsidy funds, a desired percentage of lower income countries participation, or smaller organisations, should be calculated.
• Revision and updates – The Investigation Guide needs to be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that the procedures and principles are contemporary best-practice. Changes to the guide involve changes to the five translated versions, and possible changes to the Tier 1 (including translated versions), Tier 2, and Tier 3 learning content (modules). Thus, there will be costs associated with copy/edit, layout/design, translations. These costs would most likely be incurred in late 2024 or 2025, after initial running phase of the programme.

Objective two – Enhancing the capacity of investigators – Guidance, accompaniment, and support

Getting people through the scheme up to tier 3 is a major contribution, but this scheme needs to go beyond this and engage with the community of investigators to ensure a learning and supportive approach to this difficult topic and areas.

• Supporting the investigators through the tiers – it will be important to guide people who join the scheme through the different tiers to ensure that they can progress according to the scheme requirements
• Capacity of certified trainers to join a pool of investigators – advertised on the website.
• Help line / Community of practice (CoP) – The establishment of an investigation CoP, and enabling peer-to-peer mentoring will be an essential aspect of the scheme.
• Re-certification – Practitioner-level qualifications will be valid for two years. To renew the qualification, holders must attain a required amount of continuing education credits through investigation experience, participation in webinars, and participation in an investigation Community of Practice.

Objective three – Engagement with wider sectoral investigation policy and capacity

Increasing capacity for survivor / victim centred approach to investigators is a key aspect of the IASC PSEAH strategy. It will be critical that this scheme is directly linked to this work, considering any update of standards, linkages with other investigation training, connections to the IASC investigation fund etc.

• Engagement in influencing and contributing to the IASC PSEAH TAG
• Engagement with other initiatives – Keeping Children Safe, RSH, Funder Safeguarding Collaborative, etc.

4. Deliverables

• Plan for further two years – activities, partnership arrangements, resourcing
• Budget
• Funding Proposal

5. Stakeholders

Internal – ED, Training Lead, IQTS Manager, Director of Programmes, Donor and funding Coordinator, PSEAH manager
External – Humentum, FCDO, IQTS advisory group, IASC

6. Administrative support / logistics

Consultancy will be remote and home based, with possible travel to Geneva if required.

7. Skills and Experience

Essential –   Substantial experience of developing business plans and donor funding proposals

Preferred – Knowledge of PSEAH. Knowledge of investigation. Experience of developing training packages and/or advising on learning programmes.

8. How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications by email to: recruitment@chsalliance.org Applications shall include in one PDF document a CV and an application letter detailing daily amount of your fees and examples of similar work undertaken

Please mention your name and the title of the consultancy in the subject line

Deadline for applications: Friday 15 June 2022

Important information: The person shall be registered as a consultant in their country or work for a consulting firm. Please note that we will require two references from consultants. We would also like to draw your attention on our complaints mechanism which can be used by our consultants or to report complaints about our consultants