Director of Investigations and Legal Services

INTRODUCTION

Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) is a new institution within the Malawi Government established under Section 128 of the Police Act to provide independent civilian oversight of the Malawi Police Service.

The main objective of the Commission is to promote public trust in the Malawi Police Service by receiving public complaints on policing issues, conducting independent investigations thereon and making recommendations aimed at enforcing the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, accountability and respect for the rule of law in the Malawi Police Service.

The statutory functions of the Commission include:

1. to receive and investigate complaints by the public against police officers and the Malawi Police Service;
2. to investigate death or injury as a result of police action; and
3. to investigate all deaths and injuries which occur in police custody.

The Commission operates independently of the Malawi Police Service and it is, by law, protected against interference from any person or any organ of the state in the exercise and performance of its powers and functions, but it is otherwise accountable to Parliament.

STAFF RECRUITMENT AND INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS

To serve the public well and fulfil its statutory and strategic objectives effectively and efficiently, the Commission banks on the collective and individual work ethic, integrity, bravery, dynamism and professionalism of various staff members it now seeks to recruit.

The Commission now invites applications from suitably qualified persons to fill vacant positions tenable at the Commission’s Secretariat in Lilongwe, as follows:

Director of Investigations and Legal Services – Grade D/ ICC 2 (1 position) RE-ADVERTISED

Reporting to the Commissioner

The Director of Investigations and Legal Services shall be the Head of the Investigations and Legal Services Directorate and will provide leadership and direction in the day-to-day management of investigative and legal functions. Employment to this position shall be on a five-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of policies, plans, strategies, procedures, standards, manuals and processes on the investigative and legal functions;
• Oversee the conduct of investigations into complaints on police operations and take the lead on reviews, approvals, referrals and dissemination of final investigative reports and files;
• Ensure that there is an effective round-the-clock communication system for the receipt of public complaints;
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive complaints management system for the effective registration, tracking, monitoring and reporting of complaints;
• Formulate, implement, monitor and report on annual operational work plans of the Commission;
• Oversee the provision of legal services in the Commission, including the making of accurate analyses of complaints and investigation reports and the submission of legally sound advice and recommendations to the Commission and relevant authorities;
• Monitor, review and ensure all resources allocated to the Directorate are properly utilized;
• Establish strategic linkages with stakeholders concerning the conduct of investigations and provision of legal services;
• Manage the investigation and legal functions efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of the Commission and the expectations of its stakeholders;
• Employ effective methodologies and tactics, and establish protocols and controls for deployment and application of investigative operations;
• Spearhead the development and implementation of work plans workflows and data management systems in the investigation and legal sections;
• Identify staff training needs and foster teamwork amongst staff in the Directorate;
• Initiate and lead collaborative efforts between the Commission and relevant law enforcement and governance entities;
• Oversee the review and analysis of patterns and trends of police
  misconduct;
• Coordinate and facilitate the presentation of evidence and investigation findings before courts and administrative tribunals;
• Oversee, coordinate, and supervise the functions of the civic education and documentation sections of the directorate; and
• Ensure that all investigations and operations comply with legal requirements and ethical standards.

Core competencies and attributes

• Achieve results: Set and align challenging and achievable objectives for multiple complex investigations to yield results and positively change police behavioral patterns.
• Think innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks and develop new ideas to solve complex and sensitive problems that arise from police actions.
• Learn continuously: Create and act on opportunities with local and international oversight institutions to expand horizons and diversify experiences.
• Adapt with agility: Proactively initiate and champion change and manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with courage and determination: Think beyond immediate tasks/barriers, make tough decisions and take action to achieve more remarkable results.
• Engage and partner: Political savy, navigate the complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• A lateral thinker, attentive to detail with excellent analytical skills;
• Demonstrable high personal integrity; and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages and ability to use spreadsheets and basic software applications in investigation analysis and mapping.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s Degree in Law or a related discipline and a Bachelor ‘s degree in law from an accredited/recognized University with 7 years of relevant post qualification experience; or
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law from an accredited/recognized University with 10 years of relevant post qualification experience;
• Admission to the Malawi bar and a licence to practice law in Malawi;
• Demonstrable experience in the provision of legal services in a law enforcement, investigative, oversight or prosecutorial entity or in litigation generally; and
• 3 years’ relevant experience at senior level.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ALL POSITIONS

1. Due to the nature of the functions of the Commission, only candidates that demonstrate undoubted qualities of maturity, integrity and high ethical standing necessary for handling sensitive and confidential information and have a clean criminal and integrity record are eligible for recruitment with the Commission.
2. All shortlisted candidates shall undergo a rigorous vetting process of their integrity track records by relevant law enforcement agencies and professional bodies to determine their suitability for the job. In that regard, all applicants for any of the advertised positions shall, by the act of submitting their applications, be deemed to have voluntarily consented to the vetting process. The results of the vetting process shall, for all purposes, remain confidential and non-negotiable.
3. The Commission is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the promotion of merit, professionalism, objectivity, equity and rule of law. Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
4. Any form of canvassing is not allowed and any candidate involved in canvassing of any kind shall automatically be disqualified.
5. The Commission reserves the right to administer aptitude tests for any position at any stage of the recruitment process.
6. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

MODE OF APPLICATION

Interested persons who meet the above specifications should send or deliver an application letter together with copies of relevant certificates and detailed current curriculum vitae, naming three traceable referees, in a sealed envelope clearly marked on top with the post being applied for, to:

The Commissioner
Independent Complaints Commission (ICC)
AMA Building, City Centre (Opposite Malville Boutique Hotel and ACB Offices)
P.O. Box 30245
Capital City
LILONGWE 3

Applications can also be emailed to: recruitments@icc.gov.mw clearly indicating the position being applied for on the subject of the email.

The closing date for receiving applications is 11th November, 2024.