Investigator (Abuse of Persons) Roster/Pool

Location: Home-based, with travel as required

Contract: Service contract / consultancy. The candidate will be contracted by the relevant section of MSF throughout the agreed period to conclude the investigation.

Duration: This position is needs-based and the successful applicants will be added to MSF’s pool of investigators. This is not a full-time position, and MSF will call investigators as needed.

Starting date: On demand from the 15th June 2026

Deadline to apply: 03rd of May 2026

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

MSF is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and dignified environment for its patients, their caretakers, and the communities in which it works, and for all its volunteers and staff. To this end, all sections of MSF have adopted Behavioural Commitments designed to ensure all staff are aware of their obligations to create a safe working environment free from abuse and inappropriate behaviour. MSF is committed to the prevention of abuse and upholding its obligation to address all allegations of abuse in a timely and professional manner. MSF has established systems to address and respond to abuse across its operations and in its offices.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

MSF maintains a pool (roster) of external investigators managed by the Global Pool of Investigators Manager (GPIM) that are used to investigate allegations of abuse of persons. Investigations can be requested by any MSF office and operational centre, and the GPIM assigns investigators from the pool to work with relevant safeguarding/behavioural leads and investigation managers in MSF, in line with MSF’s standards of case management.    

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

MSF is committed to zero tolerance of abuse. The purpose of the position of investigator is to conduct investigations into abuse of persons, in line with MSF’s standards of case management, and the terms of reference for the investigation provided by MSF.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform investigations of different types of abuse (of persons) including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment; abuse of power; all forms of discrimination; harassment; bullying; exploitation, and other breaches of MSF’s Behavioural Commitments, Codes of Conduct.

• Collect evidence, interview victims/survivors, witnesses and subjects of complaint, review documents, and perform analysis of the evidence, in line with guidance provided by the investigations manager

• For each investigation, maintain and update records, protocols, and case management system as required by the investigation manager.

• Ensure that investigations are conducted according to established safeguarding principles, including adopting a survivor-centred approach and a trauma informed approach, as well as ensuring due process and confidentiality, and declaring any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

• Complete required forms and templates for the investigation, as assigned by the investigation manager and as agreed in terms of reference for the investigation. Deliver required documents in a timely and professional manner to the investigations manager.

• Prepare thorough and concise investigation reports that are of a consistently high-quality with soundly based findings, conclusions, and appropriate recommendations, in line with provided templates and instructions of the investigations manager.

• Ensure data is secured in line with MSF’s entities data protection policies.

• Any other tasks assigned by the investigations manager or safeguarding/behaviour unit lead as relates to the investigation being conducted.

MSF Staff, MSF Board members, and members of the MSF Executive are ineligible to be external investigators.

• University degree or equivalent in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Human Resources, Human Rights, Law, or related field 

• Professional investigation qualification (e.g. CHS IQTS SEAH, OSACO, other qualification scheme for safeguarding/abuse investigations), or other training on administrative investigations.

• Proven track record in the conduct of administrative investigations into abuse (including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), abuse of power, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination, as well as other forms of misconduct) in the humanitarian sector with at least 5 years of experience.

• Experience and training in interviewing children is an asset.

• Previous experience working in country programs in safeguarding implementation or protection with MSF or other humanitarian organizations is considered an asset.

• Working or living (or having done so in the past for an extended period) in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin-and Central America or the MENA Region is an asset.

• Willingness to travel and to work in emergency situations, in remote locations and high-risk settings, if required.

Specific Requirements

• Robust understanding of safeguarding case management and investigation principles, including, but not limited to due process, confidentiality, conflict of interest, trauma informed and survivor-centred approaches.

• Ability and willingness to ensure that investigations are conducted according to established safeguarding principles and the MSF Standards for Case Management.

Computer Skills

• MS Office suite (mainly MS Word, Excel)

• Knowledge of safeguarding reporting systems (e.g. Integrity line) is an asset.

• Proven experience in digital forensics and e‑discovery techniques and tools within an international organization, law enforcement agency, law firm, multinational company, or a comparable environment is an asset.

Languages

• Fluent level (written and spoken) of English

• The ability to conduct investigations and write reports in one or more of the following languages: Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish is required. Other languages are considered an asset as MSF is looking for a diverse pool of investigators who can work in multiple languages across multiple settings.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks, including Human Resources, and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these selection procedures.