INVESTIGATOR I / COUNTER FRAUD SPECIALIST

JOB SUMMARY:

CARE recognizes that fraud and corruption are prevalent issues, have harmful effects on employees, the organization, and society, and threaten our vision. CARE does not tolerate fraud or corruption by staff or related third parties, including its agents, consultants, vendors, partners, or counterparts. The allegations of fraud and corruption must be appropriately investigated after considering severity, credibility, the potential for reputational damage, and applicable donor requirements. 

The primary objective of this position is to ensure timely and effectively response fraud and corruption allegations. This position shall be responsible for carrying-out investigations from planning, execution and reporting, following the CARE's Standard Operating Procedures for Fraud Investigation. The position shall assist the Investigations Manager and Deputy Director in managing the CARE USA fraud reporting hotlines, maintaining an accurate and complete fraud log, tracking timely closure of reported fraud and corruption allegations, monitoring donor notifications where applicable, assessing the adequacy of investigations carried-out by country offices, tracking the appropriateness and timeliness of actions taken to remediate fraud and corruption, supporting counter fraud initiatives to promote and sustain anti-fraud culture across the organization 

This position reports to the Investigations Manager, coordinates with Regional Office Executives on cases and related actions within their assigned region/s, works with Awards Management Solutions Manager on donor and CMP notifications, and collaborates with Country Directors in ensuring that investigations are adequate, accurate and timely, and co-developing solutions to mitigate fraud risk at CARE

This role is open to qualified applicants in any of CARE Asia countries with the right to work in those countries. In line with our talent management strategy, priority will be given to internal candidates.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan investigations and lead various aspects of investigation engagements

• Develop the investigation plan and identify the resources needed to execute the case investigation successfully, including but not limited to defining the investigation objective and scope, determining the investigation time line, most cost-effective methodology and approach, defining the investigation procedures, forming teams according to competencies, identifying locations, systems, evidence and documentation requirements, among others.
• Engage and liaise with the country executives, regional management unit, shared service center and awards management solutions on support needed to execute the investigations adequately and timely.
• Calibrate the investigation plan as new information and evidence become available. Work hand-in-hand with the Investigations Manager and/or Deputy Director on ensuring adequacy and effectiveness of the investigation plan.
• Responsible for supporting the Investigations Manager and/or Deputy Director in continuously improving internal processes to deliver the department's metrics and ensuring they continually assessed for alignment with best practices.

Conduct investigations and prepare investigation reports

• Execute timely and quality execution of investigation following the requirements set forth in the CARE's Standard Operating Procedures for Fraud Investigation, applicable standards and policies. 
• Perform investigative procedures, such as but not limited to interviews, data and transaction analysis, e-mail data mining, observation, benchmarking and market analysis, evidence examination, to evaluate the veracity of the fraud and corruption allegations. 
• Provide periodic updates to the Investigations Manager and/or Deputy Director on the progress of the investigation and important issues arising on a timely manner. This includes specific cases assigned, and those CO-managed cases in respective region. 
• Coordinate periodically with the appropriate representatives from the country office, regional management unit and other relevant teams, to ensure smooth execution of investigation plan. 
• Draft quality investigation reports based on accurate facts drawn from the results of appropriate investigative procedures. Evaluate the facts gathered and form conclusion solid to withstand legal scrutiny. 

• Maintain proper chain of custody on the evidence supporting the investigation conclusions and archive them

   

Monitor fraud reporting hotlines

• Perform adequate follow-up to ensure that recommendations are implemented and similar fraud risks are mitigated in the future. 55% Monitor fraud reporting hotlines 
• Monitor the new and existing cases received from the fraud reporting hotlines, respond to reporters and whistleblowers, and ensure that cases and essential case information are recorded in the fraud log completely and accurately. Perform periodic reconciliation to ensure that all cases received are accounted for in the fraud log completely. 
• Coordinate periodically with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the proper (a) investigation of cases ; (b) notification to donors / CARE Member Partners (CMP); (c) closure of cases; (d) removal of fraudulent charges from the financial reports; (e) tracking of recovery; (d) pursuance of legal case and police authorities reporting; and (e) actions taken in accordance with zero-tolerance policy and internal control gaps are adequately remediated. 
• Work with the Investigations Manager and/or Deputy Director to ensure timely and quality closure of the investigations. Ensure complete archiving of case supporting documents, such as initial notification report, basis of loss, donor and/or CMP notification, final investigation report, evidence of action taken, adjustment journal entries, evidence of recovery, filing of cases to court or police authorities, among others

Promote fraud awareness and facilitate capacity building

• Promote fraud awareness and facilitate capacity building as needed. Demonstrate compliance with the CARE's code of conduct. Promote anti-fraud culture at CARE and assist in supports needed to implement the counter fraud strategy organization (e.g., annual anti-fraud culture organizational surveys). Develop fraud training materials, when requested and present appropriate fraud awareness training materials in workshops when required. 
• In coordination with the Investigations Manager and/or Deputy Director, provide guidance on proper interpretation of the CARE fraud policies. Continuously learn the best industry practices to fight against fraud and continuously innovates the fraud case management at CARE. 
• Develop materials and present in fraud champion periodic meetings. 
• Train, mentor, or coach country office staff in improving their skills and technical expertise in fraud investigation.

Others

• Perform other relevant activities as necessary. 
• Lead and support the implementation of counter-fraud strategy and initiatives, in partnership with relevant stakeholders.