Regional Safeguarding Specialist at Action Against Hunger International

Summary of Position

Action Against Hunger is seeking an experienced and motivated Safeguarding Specialist who will oversee the Safeguarding priorities and will be in charge of creating and developing the overall work plan, capacity building and recruitment of relevant workforce. He/she will take specific responsibility for ensuring that Action Against Hunger offices are prepared and able to respond to reports of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding in humanitarian and development contexts we work in. This means ensuring that risk assessments are completed, staff and related personnel are trained and that complaints mechanisms are designed, consulted on and communicated to staff and program participants and the wider community. S/he will ensure that reports are followed up and survivor centered support mechanisms are in place. S/he will oversee the functioning of Safeguarding Investigations in consultation with the Incident Management Team (IMT).

Purpose

The Regional Safeguarding Specialist will take lead in ensuring that Action Against Hunger HEARO and Country Offices prepare and are able to respond to reports of SEA (sexual, exploitation and abuse), Child Safeguarding and trafficking in persons. S/he will raise awareness Action Against Hunger’s policy commitments, including zero-tolerance approach through training, coaching and ensure that the global PSEA, Child Safeguarding and Anti-trafficking in persons mechanisms are socialized and used by staff and related personnel.

Engagement

The Regional Safeguarding Specialist will collaborate closely with Action Against Hunger Safeguarding focal persons, key stakeholders at Country and Regional level. S/he will also work with program teams in the region to ensure that Safeguarding policies is mainstreamed into program design. A strong rapport will be created and enhanced with the Safeguarding unit in Canada as well as others in the international network including the Safeguarding Community of Practice.

Externally, close collaborations and working relationships will be created and maintained with Safeguarding working groups in the region, InterAgency Working groups (ICVA, IASC, CHS, AAP, CDAC etc), organizational partners, collaborators and other INGOs with the aim of creating a positive culture.

Delivery

S/he will be responsible for the timely and quality delivery of the Safeguarding road map to ensure that regional and country office priorities are achieved.

Key Job Roles

• Lead the implementation of the Safeguarding policy and procedures and facilitate the structural embedding of safeguarding across Regional and country operations
• Oversee the functioning of Safeguarding investigations and ensure accurate and proper close-out of investigations, survivor support mechanisms are in place adhering to the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, fairness and sensitivity of investigation.
• Lead in the roll-out, awareness creation, training and capacity building of all staff in line with the Safeguarding priorities.
• Work with the Regional HR Director and Director of People & Strategy and to map out a clear process for vetting & reference checking including implementation of the misconduct disclosure scheme. S/he will create the legal framework available and the HR teams to ensure that these checks are rolled out, ensure that all staff are checked in line with agreed protocols.
• Providing on the ground Safeguarding support and expertise during humanitarian emergencies in the region and drawing up lessons learnt
• Support in Country office teams in conducting Safeguarding assessments, setting up processes for community complaints mechanisms and that they are mainstreamed into program design.
• Provide technical advice and support to Country Offices in coordination with Country Directors, Safeguarding focal points and HR teams
• Provide technical advice and guidance to Country Offices and Regional Teams in coordination with Action Against Hunger International Safeguarding policy and protocols
• Create a close work relationships with the Safeguarding Community of Practice members in the Network, Region and Countries
• Work with the Regional HR and Regional Director’s to deliver a coordinated Safeguarding services to Country Offices
• Lead, alongside Safeguarding focal points, on Safeguarding related data collection, auditing and reporting in the organization and donor requirements.
• Ensuring that action plans are in place at HEARO and country office regional level to facilitate continuous improvement in the prevention of and response to safeguarding reports
• Work with Country Office teams to ensure that Community Complaints Mechanisms have a safeguarding lens and adequately cover safeguarding needs.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a field related to humanitarian assistance and international development, psychology, law, political science, development studies, gender studies, social work.
• Minimum 10 years humanitarian work in emergency and/or development context (experience in Horn and East Africa Region an added advantage)
• At least 5 years of Safeguarding experience with sound knowledge and understanding of organizational Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies
• Certifies training in Safeguarding investigations
• Proven experience in managing Safeguarding investigations
• Training in interview skills and techniques or mediation techniques
• Understanding and experience of the first phase of humanitarian response and the unique pressures faced in this period
• Experience developing safeguarding resource materials, including training curriculum, guidance tools and best practice

Required Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge on current legislation, statutory and other guidance with regards to safeguarding in the region
• Must have previous experience of managing sensitive and serious investigations involving SEA, child safeguarding and trafficking in persons/modern slavery
• Must have a high level of resilience and ability to remain calm under difficult circumstances
• Must have experience of managing organizational change and uncertainty
• Must be able to impartial in the most challenging situations
• Must have excellent problem – solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• Highly confidential and discreet
• Proven experience in building and maintaining trust
• Experienced trainer, facilitator, and mediator
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Amharic will be an added advantage.

Benefits

Action Against Hunger Horn and East Africa Regional Office provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status. Action Against Hunger complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.