Safeguarding Investigation Specialist

Overview

We are recruiting a Safeguarding Investigations Specialist to work in the Safeguarding Investigations Team (SIT) in response to reported cases of sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH) in its programmes and within FCDO. The successful candidate will be required to undertake investigations into allegations of SEAH. The SIT responds to all reported safeguarding concerns and allegations to FCDO and ensures the appropriate investigatory response. You will need to be comfortable working independently and forming judgements in the complex operating environment presented by FCDO\’s work and demonstrate skills and experience of investigating allegations of SEAH. Increasingly, FCDO\’s key risks lie within its operations in fragile and hostile environments, and it is vital that the Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate (IAID) has the reach to influence good risk management practice within these countries. The successful candidate must therefore be willing and able to travel to and within such environments as dictated by the evolving requirements of the role. Appropriate training and support will be given to enable you to operate in insecure environments. You will be required to complete an online medical clearance questionnaire in order to conduct work in various locations. In this role you will be expected to complete a safeguarding investigation qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding investigations, including planning the investigation, allocating resources, interviewing witnesses, survivors and alleged perpetrators, and writing investigation reports.
• Manage allocated safeguarding caseload, ensuring resources are assigned to the most significant cases.
• Work with partner organisations to ensure appropriate investigatory response.
• Provide advice to FCDO colleagues and partners on reporting safeguarding concerns, on case management and investigations.
• Ensure the reporting and communication of findings is effective and escalate concerns as required.
• Deliver safeguarding capability work and raise awareness of sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment.
• Contribute to the wider work of the IAID through active participation in the achievement of the department\’s goals, departmental meetings and working groups and the development of technical knowledge and resources.
• Note: The FCDO also operates an agile workforce; you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as reasonably required.

Applicants

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

You will be required to complete an online application form and submit a CV and Personal Statement of 500 words. Your Personal Statement should explain how your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Minimum Criteria. It is essential that you provide clear evidence and proven examples addressing each of the Minimum Criteria and Behaviours below. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.

The Behaviours you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating & Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

You will also be required to answer two role-specific questions on Safeguarding.

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift by a lead criterion. For this campaign we will be prioritising the CV. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this area will have the rest of their application fully assessed.

Interview Stage

• The Behaviours you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows: Making Effective Decisions, Communicating & Influencing, Delivering at Pace.
• At the start of your interview, you will be asked a non-assessed warm-up question about your motivation for applying for the role.
• Candidates will be required to give a Presentation at the Interview and the topic will be sent to you in advance. The Presentation will test the following Safeguarding role specific skills: the principles of survivor-centred investigations.

Reasonable Adjustment: If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments in order to complete your application, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and by the closing date. If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant degree / professional qualification or relevant experience of leading investigations relating to safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment.
• An understanding of the fundamentals of protection of individuals from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment and of the principles of survivor centred investigations into these areas.
• Experience of applying judgement to support sensitive decisions to ensure the right outcome is reached from investigations.
• A track record in delivering to tight deadlines, often at short notice and the ability to self-start and participate in multiskilled teams.
• A passion for working in international development and the aid sector.

Compensation and Benefits

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK\’s role in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK\’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. We employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, which consists of 282 officially designated Posts. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.

Salary: £38,500

Milton Keynes based – The total package for this role at HEO is £40,250 per annum (non-negotiable). This figure includes a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Location Allowance of £1,750.

East Kilbride based – The total package for this role at HEO is £38,500 per annum (non-negotiable).

• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP, Alongside your salary of £38,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £11,153 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
• A Civil Service Pension.
• 25 days Annual Leave per annum.
• 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum.
• Learning and Development tailored to your role.
• See the attached candidate pack.

Security and Eligibility

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting. See our vetting charter. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.