Director, Integrity & Risk (Investigations)

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Director, Integrity & Risk (Investigations)

Job Family/Level: Finance / Director

Reports to: Senior Director, Integrity & Risk

FLSA status: Exempt

Revised Date: New Position

Major Function

The Director is responsible for (1) developing strategy, programs, and processes for managing concerns raised via the incident management system and other channels, (2) intake, assessment, evaluation, review, and investigation of specific workplace complaints, community grievances, and other incidents, as assigned, and (3) other programs and projects related to the expanding Integrity & Risk portfolio. The Director’s main responsibilities include conducting investigations into alleged violations of standards and policies, with particular emphasis on behaviors that are contrary to WWF’s values and Code of Conduct, including social policies. The Director will assess, evaluate, and review reports of concerns, wrongdoing, and misconduct, thoroughly and impartially, consistent with sector wide best practice, donor expectations, and WWF’s values and Code of Conduct. The Director also will develop strategies, including for communications and reporting; plan, conduct, and prepare reports; build systems and processes for integrity, risk mitigation, and accountability; conduct training and communications; and support other Integrity & Risk initiatives, as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Senior Director, Integrity & Risk to develop strategies, build systems and processes for integrity, risk mitigation, and accountability, including a comprehensive case/incident management system.
• Working with the Senior Director, Integrity & Risk, Country Offices, the General Counsel’s Office, People & Culture, and other key stakeholders, establish a system that enables people to report concerns to WWF, including workplace complaints and community grievances, and assure concerns are understood and addressed. The Director is recognized as a key component of WWF’s accountability framework.
• Support Country Offices in implementing local community grievance mechanisms that include a system for (i) logging, tracking, recording, and reporting on grievances; (ii) distinguishing between operational issues and sensitive and/or serious issues; and (iii) escalating serious and/or sensitive issues to the appropriate parties for further guidance.
• Conduct intake, assessment, evaluation, and review of workplace complaints and community grievances and perform investigations, as appropriate, to include interviewing witnesses and subjects, assessing risk, reviewing documentation, and making recommendations. Apply knowledge of grievance/complaint handling mechanisms, humanitarian principles, and community-based approaches, including application of accessibility, participation, appropriateness, safety, confidentiality, objectivity, and transparency principles.
• Working with the Senior Director, Integrity & Risk, the General Counsel’s Office, and People & Culture effectively plan and execute impartial, thorough, timely and sensitive investigations into allegations related to misconduct, fraud, or other violations of the Code of Conduct.
• Provide regular updates on the status of cases to key stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Move complex problems forward in a methodical and timely manner; conduct interviews, both remotely and in person, as needed; and prepare detailed, high quality written reports.
• Maintain organized, confidential, and thorough files in a manner that observes appropriate confidentiality and legal privilege, if applicable.
• Help identify and report on lessons learned, trends, root causes, and obstacles to resolution resulting from complaints, grievances, and any subsequent resolutions to ensure continuous improvement.
• Collaborate in the ongoing development of intake and investigation guidelines and protocols and monitoring systems for implementation of complaints and community grievance mechanisms.
• Conduct training and ongoing communications to ensure consistency on how WWF receives, documents and follows up on issues; build trust and confidence in reporting, investigations, and follow up systems; and foster a climate where people feel confident and comfortable coming forward with issues.
  • Support other Integrity & Risk initiatives, as required by manager.

    Skills and Abilities

    • 10+ years program or other professional experience with demonstrated knowledge in complaint/grievance management handling mechanisms, case management, and investigations.
    • Mediation and conflict resolution skills.
    • Experience investigating serious, complex, and sensitive issues.
    • Sensitivity to cultural diversity and gender issues.
    • Good judgement with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
    • Well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills demonstrated by the ability to analyze information and facilitate resolution of complex issues.
    • English fluency required with a strong preference for Spanish language skills.
      • Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
      • Ability to travel as needed, including internationally.
      • Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
        • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
        • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, acknowledging mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
        • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
        • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

          Responsibilities

          • Working with the Senior Director, Integrity & Risk to develop strategies, build systems and processes for integrity, risk mitigation, and accountability, including a comprehensive case/incident management system.
          • Working with the Senior Director, Integrity & Risk, Country Offices, the General Counsel’s Office, People & Culture, and other key stakeholders, establish a system that enables people to report concerns to WWF, including workplace complaints and community grievances, and assure concerns are understood and addressed. The Director is recognized as a key component of WWF’s accountability framework.
          • Support Country Offices in implementing local community grievance mechanisms that include a system for (i) logging, tracking, recording, and reporting on grievances; (ii) distinguishing between operational issues and sensitive and/or serious issues; and (iii) escalating serious and/or sensitive issues to the appropriate parties for further guidance.
          • Conduct intake, assessment, evaluation, and review of workplace complaints and community grievances and perform investigations, as appropriate, to include interviewing witnesses and subjects, assessing risk, reviewing documentation, and making recommendations. Apply knowledge of grievance/complaint handling mechanisms, humanitarian principles, and community-based approaches, including application of accessibility, participation, appropriateness, safety, confidentiality, objectivity, and transparency principles.
          • Working with the Senior Director, Integrity & Risk, the General Counsel’s Office, and People & Culture effectively plan and execute impartial, thorough, timely and sensitive investigations into allegations related to misconduct, fraud, or other violations of the Code of Conduct.
          • Provide regular updates on the status of cases to key stakeholders and senior leaders.
          • Move complex problems forward in a methodical and timely manner; conduct interviews, both remotely and in person, as needed; and prepare detailed, high quality written reports.
          • Maintain organized, confidential, and thorough files in a manner that observes appropriate confidentiality and legal privilege, if applicable.
          • Help identify and report on lessons learned, trends, root causes, and obstacles to resolution resulting from complaints, grievances, and any subsequent resolutions to ensure continuous improvement.
          • Collaborate in the ongoing development of intake and investigation guidelines and protocols and monitoring systems for implementation of complaints and community grievance mechanisms.
          • Conduct training and ongoing communications to ensure consistency on how WWF receives, documents and follows up on issues; build trust and confidence in reporting, investigations, and follow up systems; and foster a climate where people feel confident and comfortable coming forward with issues.
          • Support other Integrity & Risk initiatives, as required by manager.

            Qualifications

            • 10+ years program or other professional experience with demonstrated knowledge in complaint/grievance management handling mechanisms, case management, and investigations.
            • Mediation and conflict resolution skills.
            • Experience investigating serious, complex, and sensitive issues, particularly matters related to employee relations and human resources issues , preferably in multi-office / multi-country settings.
            • Sensitivity to and experience with matters related to cultural diversity and gender issues.
            • Good judgement with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
            • Well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills demonstrated by the ability to analyze information and facilitate resolution of complex issues.
            • English fluency required with a strong preference for Spanish language skills.
            • Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
            • Ability to travel as needed, including internationally (approximately 15%, but could increase, if needed).
            • Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
              • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
              • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
              • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
              • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

                ** Please note: This position is based in Washington DC. However, we are open to remote candidates that choose to apply.**

                To Apply:

              • Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24018
              • Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

                As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.