Sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment are grave violations of human rights that happen in every organization, including NGOs of all sizes. One way to address the issue is to train more NGO professionals on how to recognize it, report it, and investigate it. In tier 2 of the Investigator Qualification Training Scheme (IQTS), the content will range from the survivor-centered approach to the best way to document the investigation, to how to collaborate and report on the investigation and work towards preventing future abuse.

The Full Program

The CHS Alliance and partner, Humentum, developed the Investigation Qualification Training Scheme (IQTS) as a three-tiered course, based on the Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Investigation Guide (2022). The IQTS offers an intensive, professionally focused training (with examination and assessment) in the skills, knowledge and competencies required to undertake survivor-centred investigations into SEAH. It supersedes the previously run SEA Investigation workshops run by the CHA Alliance.

Tier 2 is designed to build on the foundations of our Tier 1 course, which focuses on the core principles.

The four tiers support progressively advanced levels of professional training.

• Tier 1 is based on the core principles of conducting SEAH investigation
• Tier 2 equips participants with the necessary knowledge to conduct SEAH investigations under the guidance of an experienced SEAH investigator.
• Tier 3 provides participants with the skills to undertake investigations without supervision. We strongly advise that candidates complete Tier 3 level before practicing actual investigations.
• Tier 4 is about qualification maintenance. This is currently in development and will be managed by CHS Alliance.

Exam

To receive certification for Tier 2 and to qualify for Tier 3, candidates must achieve a 70% score on a one-hour/60-minute multiple-choice exam.

• Define and know the terms, concepts, and principles of SEAH investigations.
• Identify the six phases of SEAH investigations.
• Know the roles and responsibilities of investigation team members.
• Know and define the components of an SEAH investigation plan, including the risk assessment.
• Understand the foundational processes and tools in studying background material and gathering evidence.
• Know the components and purpose of the PEACE interview model.
• Define the different types of and purpose for SEAH investigation reports.
• Identify the closure procedures for SEAH investigations.
• Identify key factors & considerations in each phase of remote investigations.

• Humanitarian and development practitioners interested in learning more about SEAH investigations.
• Safeguarding practitioners seeking to enhance their understanding of SEAH investigations.
• Individuals wishing to become investigators and advance through the IQTS certification scheme.
• Current investigators wishing to pursue professional development and gain insight into updated standards in SEAH investigations.
• Investigation managers interested in understanding the standards and processes in SEAH investigations.

Humentum’s self-directed and focused trainings puts the learner first. Connect and engage with peers from around the world, while learning through a series of engaging videos, assignments and readings. An expert facilitator will guide you. The platform is open for a set number of weeks, and you can log-in to work at your own pace whenever convenient. Our learning platform easy to navigate, with clear guides and instructions.

Find out more about our online training platform by watching this video. Each week, a new module will become available; to proceed to the next module, learners need to earn points for completing various tasks (such as watching videos, reviewing resources, and interacting with others). The more tasks learners complete, the more points they will earn. We estimate this training requires three hours per module (5 modules in total) , depending on your pace of learning, and previous experience.

This course is mainly self-led but there are 3 required webinars during weeks, 1, 3, and 5.

Module 1

Foundations of SEAH Investigations & Investigation Planning

• Introduction to SEAH investigations
• The six phases of SEAH investigations
• The principles that guide how we approach SEAH investigations
• Difference between administrative and criminal SEAH investigations
• Different standards of proof
• The roles and responsibilities of investigation team members

Module 2

Background Material, Gathering Evidence, Updating the Plan Activities

• Key terms and concepts of SEAH investigations
• The concepts, definitions and guidelines associated with phases two and three of SEAH investigations

Module 3

Preparing for and Best Practices for Interviewing Communities and Knowledge Transfer

• Preparing to conduct interviews
• The ‘engage’, ‘explain’, and ‘account’ phases of the PEACE model and other approaches to interviewing
• Best practices and advanced instructions for conducting SEAH investigation interviews

Module 4

Analysis & Report Writing; Concluding the Investigation

• Performing the analysis and writing the report
• Concluding the SEAH investigation

Module 5

Remote Investigations

• Elements of the SEAH investigation process that are different for remote investigations

To take the Tier 2 training you must first have completed the foundation training. This is entirely self-led and will take approximately 90 minutes. This can be accessed for free on Disaster Ready.

Having trouble? Contact us at customerservice@humentum.org.

For those who take and pass the exam certification will be provided.