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Investigator Qualification Training Scheme

With generous support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), CHS Alliance, in partnership with Humentum, is strengthening the global capacity to respond to sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment (SEAH) in the humanitarian and development sector. Our particular focus is on training more women and staff based in low- and middle-income countries to become qualified investigators to meet identified needs.

Making survivor-centered investigations the standard

First developed in 2022 with support from the UK Foreign, Development, and Commonwealth Office (FCDO), the Investigator Qualification Training Scheme (IQTS) represents a new tiered approach to investigations training. This is based on professionally developed standards for investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, which aim to build skills and enhance competencies progressively. The courses are based on the Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Investigation Guide (2022).

Currently, CHS Alliance and Humentum are expanding access to the IQTS to reach more practitioners globally. Our goal is that all organizations—local, national, and international—have equal access to effective, professional, and survivor-centered SEAH investigations.

IQTS courses available in English, French or Spanish.

Register for Tier 2

Register for Tier 3

Locally driven and appropriate SEAH investigations

The IQTS training courses are designed to meet sector-wide investigation needs. Although the majority of SEAH victims and survivors are women, female representation among investigators has been lacking. To address this critical gap, we are supporting more practitioners, including women, from low-and-middle income countries. Our model enables these organizations to be at the forefront of conducting regionally and gender representative SEAH investigations. Read the press release.

Pricing and discounts for Tier 2

Type Discount
Humentum Member 10%
CHS Alliance Member 10%
INGO Staff working in an OECD DAC Recipient Country 20%
NNGO or CSO in an OECD DAC Recipient Country 100%
Independent Contractor OECD DAC Recipient Country 20%

 

Classification of organization and pricing for Tiers 2 and 3 Download

Course structure

The IQTS caters to humanitarian and development practitioners, safeguarding practitioners, and aspiring SEAH investigators. It offers online learning guided by experts based on CHS Alliance’s Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Investigation Guide here

 

Module Methodology Links
Foundation Short, self-directed online module. Available on Disaster Ready platform 
Theory Blended online learning program for 5 weeks (self-directed & 3 virtual group sessions), plus external examination. Start your learning journey here 
Practice Practical 2-week course with live webinars, where participants engage in a simulated investigation case study. Register here
Qualification Maintenance Continual Professional Development (CPD): demonstration of continued investigation practice & learning.  Coming soon

 

 

The expertise I've gained will allow me to assess the effectiveness of our actions from a survivor-focused viewpoint so that our methods consistently improve and address their requirements as time progresses. Finishing this course was a dream come true for me, marking a milestone in my career.

Ranya Al-Jaberi Safeguarding Expert

It wasn’t just about gaining new knowledge but also about applying that knowledge and those skills in a way that was more empathetic and more attuned to the emotional and psychological needs of survivors.

Rebecca Nyokabi Community and Clinical Nurse

IQTS complemented the PSEAH mainstreaming efforts that are in place at the operational level by providing us with tools to maintain a survivor-centered approach throughout the investigation and address cultural barriers and risks that women and girls face in Lebanon.

Lara Habib Accountability and PSEA Coordinator, ABAAD

I’ve gained invaluable insights into planning effective investigations, handling and conducting sensitive interviews, and producing high-quality, timely investigation reports. This training has significantly enhanced and consolidated my skills, adding further credibility to my work. I'm ready to leverage these learnings to make a positive impact and ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals.

Peter Ouma Muga Mpsy Human Resources and Compliance Specialist, The Global Development Incubator

I have worked within the humanitarian organization for the last 20 years, so I know we’ve been facing cases of sexual misconduct for a long time. We’ve also had investigations for a while now, but it’s clear that some of these – to be honest – are not done well enough. I personally feel now is the right time for us to professionalize investigations. Where anyone handling these sensitive, difficult and complex cases must do things right – they must follow the recognized standards, have the qualification.

Jeannette Nduwamariya Global Safeguarding Advisor, CARE International, Southern Africa Region

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