Regional Investigations Manager – Africa Mid level

Organization Background

The Wildlife Conservation Society (“WCS”) is a New York not-for-profit corporation founded by statute in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society. WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through research, science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. That mission is achieved through our global conservation programs (WCS currently oversees a portfolio of more than 500 conservation projects in 65 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and North America, and the oceans between them) and through the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks–the Bronx Zoo; the New York Aquarium; and the Central Park, Queens, and Prospect Park Zoos (the City Zoos).  WCS believes that respecting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities reflects our global commitment to equity and justice and is a necessary and best pathway to achieving durable conservation.

Position Overview

The overarching goal of WCS’s investigations function is to proactively investigate any report or claim received from WCS staff, partners, donors, or local populations where we work regarding violations of WCS policy, donor requirements or applicable law to ensure that we have a safe and compliant workplace and that our conservation work is conducted in a responsible manner.  The successful candidate for this role will be tasked with managing investigations conducted in WCS’s 13+ countries of operation in Africa, and working collaboratively with other departments involved in investigations.

Principal Responsibilities

Working with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Human Resources, the office of the Comptroller, WCS regional management, and the Director, Global Investigations, the Regional Investigations Manager will:
•    Conduct internal investigations, including gathering and reviewing information, interviewing witnesses and subjects, preparing investigation reports and related documentation, and identifying and aligning remedial measures/countermeasures and disciplinary actions as appropriate across all WCS operation in Africa.
•    Ensure that investigations are conducted in an expeditious and professional manner with timely communications to complainants, WCS management and donors as per WCS protocols.
•    Apply a survivor-centered approach to all investigations.
•    Develop internal investigation standard processes, guidelines, templates and tools to ensure compliance with regulatory expectations, local and international law, international human rights standards, donor requirements, the WCS Code of Conduct, and WCS policies.
•    Provide training, mentoring and support where needed to regional and country staff participating in investigations.
•    Identify issues, conduct trend analysis, and assist with providing reporting and analytics related to internal investigations and other compliance data.
•    Collaborate with the WCS Social Safeguards Management Team (SSMT) on updating and continually improving WCS grievance redress mechanisms.
•    Assist with escalations and preparing reports and briefings to global, regional and country leadership regarding significant investigations.
•    Consult with OGC and outside counsel as appropriate on legal matters related to investigations.
•    Perform other investigations-related duties as needed and assigned.
•    Be a subject matter expert in conducting investigations, and in related areas of effective corporate compliance and whistleblower programs.

•    University degree and 5+ years of investigations experience, preferably including in-house at a high-growth global company, NGO, international law firm or law enforcement agency (advanced degree is a plus, but not required)
•    Extensive experience planning and conducting internal investigations in Africa
•    Effective management and leadership skills and experience
•    Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality
•    Knowledge of survivor-centered approaches to investigations
•    Multi-cultural skills and experience working virtually across cultures and time zones
•    Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a complex, global, matrixed organization and to be a collegial and supportive colleague
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Excellent organizational skills and acute attention to detail
•    Fluency in English and French required; facility with Swahili and other African languages an asset
•    Willingness to work flexible hours and travel across the African continent as needed on an expedited basis