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Home Advocacy PSEAH: Investigator Qualification Training Scheme

PSEAH: Investigator Qualification Training Scheme

Nearly 1 in 3 women—an estimated 840 million—have faced partner or sexual violence in their lifetime. But progress has barely shifted in two decades (UNFPA, 2024). The sector needs more trained, gender‑representative investigators to respond to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) safely, ethically, and effectively.

That’s why the Investigator Qualification Training Scheme (IQTS), led by Humentum and CHS Alliance, is changing that by equipping more investigators with the skills to conduct effective, ethical survivor-centered investigations.

Our Goal: 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 aims to build skills and enhance competencies progressively.

The IQTS courses are based on the Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Investigation Guide (2022).

CHS Alliance and Humentum’s intent with the IQTS is 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.

What IQTS Offers

  • Comprehensive Trainings: Practical tools and survivor-centered methodologies.
  • Expert-Led Sessions: Delivered by professionals with deep sector experience.
  • Investigation Certification: Obtain a globally recognized certification.

Why IQTS Matters

  • Reduce risk and strengthen accountability: Survivor‑centered investigations improve trust and meet donor safeguarding expectations.
  •  Build local capacity: Expand your investigator pool — especially women and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) staff — to respond faster.
  • Standardize quality: IQTS aligns with the sector’s SEAH Investigation Guide to raise and harmonize investigative practice.

How IQTS Works: Course structure

The IQTS is designed for humanitarian and development practitioners, government officials, 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 (Tier 2) Blended online learning program for five weeks (self-directed & three virtual group sessions), plus external examination. Start your learning journey here 
Practice

(Tier 3)

 Practical 2-week course with live webinars, where participants engage in a simulated investigation case study. Start your learning journey here
Qualification Maintenance Continual Professional Development (CPD): demonstration of continued investigation practice & learning.  Coming soon

 

Have questions or interested in sending a group to the IQTS? Reach out to us below!

Get in touch with Humentum

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

Course discounts available

 

 

Discounts
10% Humentum members
10% CHS Alliance members

 

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