Open to Expatriates:Not Applicable
Job Description
The Safeguarding Advisor, East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions is responsible for the IRC’s coordinated global approach to protect beneficiaries from exploitation and abuse by IRC staff, and to protect IRC staff from sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence across our country and emergency programs in the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions. This includes: (1) prevention through the implementation of appropriate policies/procedures, trainings, and communications in line with the Safeguarding Strategy and Action Plan; (2) working with country and regional staff, Human Resources, and technical advisors and experts on a coordinated approach to safeguarding; (3) the continued development and monitoring of client and staff reporting mechanisms in country programs in collaboration with the Ethics and Compliance Unit; (4) ensuring that lessons learned and remediation following assessments, reviews and investigations are incorporated, in cooperation with country programs and regional offices; and (5) providing other forms of country facing support to support the successful building of a safeguarding culture of prevention and response in our country and emergency programs in the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions.
Reporting to the Director of Safeguarding, this role will work closely with Human Resources, Gender Equality Unit, Violence Prevention and Abuse Unit (VPRU), Ethics and Compliance Unit (ECU), and other IRC functional units in the context of our programs in the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions.
Job Overview
The Safeguarding Advisor, East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions will work under the direct supervision of the Director of Safeguarding. S/he will be responsible for advising and coordinating the effective implementation of IRC’s safeguarding strategy and action plan across IRC’s country programs in East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions. This will include: technical advice, capacity building (training, communications), material development, and other forms of direct country support.
As the role covers 19 country programs in the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions, some of this support will be remote. It is anticipated that up to 50% of the Safeguarding Advisor’s time will require travel to country programs.
Major Responsibilities
Support and monitor the implementation of IRC safeguarding strategy for country programs and partners in the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions
Support the roll-out of safeguarding capacity building materials for the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions, including delivery of trainings and other technical support related to safeguarding during field visits
Support development of country-level Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for responding to safeguarding violations, working closely with IRC operations and programs teams on the ground, and in particular with VPRU program leads where those exist
Review and support enhancement of country program and partner complaints response mechanisms for clients relating to any type of alleged misconduct in collaboration with ECU investigation team and Client Responsiveness team
Support and build capacity of Safeguarding Leads and other safeguarding personnel and focal points in the Africa country programs
Coordinate and work with Human Resources, Gender Equality Unit, VPRU, ECU, and other key partners, to develop and implement an enhanced and comprehensive safeguarding approach for the IRC across our country programs in the East Africa, West Africa, and Great Lakes Regions
Represent safeguarding team at public events, regional or country meetings, with donors, and other opportunities as requested
Share good practices, ideas, and materials between country programs, and with HQ for globalization and further sharing
Qualifications
Advanced degree in relevant field relating to humanitarian action, protection, sexual violence, or training
At least 5 years of relevant program and/or safeguarding experience with an international humanitarian organization
Experience with client protection from abuse and exploitation, sexual violence in development and humanitarian contexts in conflict/refugee settings, and knowledge of international protection frameworks and mechanisms on safeguarding
Experience working with GBV, Protection, or Child Protection related programs is an asset
Capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including implementation, advisory /technical function, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others
Experience in conducting training, orientation and refresher sessions with diverse teams
Excellent spoken and technical writing ability in French and English is a requirement
Proven track record in working with teams, excellent interpersonal skills, positive and professional attitude, and ability to lead and work well with diverse teams in a complex international environment and with multiple partners
Ability to travel up to 50% of time
