Job Purpose
The Safeguarding Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the safety and protection of children, beneficiaries, and communities within project locations. The position will support the localization and effective implementation of safeguarding and integrity frameworks across all project locations, including partner organizations (WASSA, AWEC, AWUDO, and RSDO) operating in 28 districts.
The role is responsible for strengthening safeguarding culture, systems, and practices by strengthening staff and partner capacity, promoting safe programing, and ensuring that safeguarding concerns are appropriately reported, and addressed. The Safeguarding Officer will contribute to creating a safe and accountable environment where beneficiaries are aware of their rights and confident in reporting any concerns.
Key Deliverables
- 100% of staff, partners, and relevant stakeholders trained on safeguarding and integrity standards.
- All safeguarding incidents reported, documented, and escalated within 24 hours.
- Safeguarding fully integrated into program activities, ensuring informed consent and risk mitigation.
- Functional, accessible, and trusted community-based reporting mechanisms established.
Job Description
The Duties and responsibilities may include but not limited to:
- Safeguarding Systems Strengthening & Policy Implementation
- Support the contextualization, roll-out, and enforcement of safeguarding and integrity policies, tools, and procedures across all project locations.
- Deliver safeguarding inductions, training, and refresher sessions for staff, partners, volunteers, and contractors.
- Ensure all personnel understand and comply with mandatory reporting obligations.
- Promote consistent use of safeguarding tools (e.g., consent forms, child safety checklists, risk assessments).
- Safe Programming & Capacity Development
- Promote integration of safeguarding principles into program design and implementation across all provinces.
- Lead community sensitization sessions to raise awareness of safeguarding policies, reporting mechanisms, and expected behaviors.
- Strengthen the capacity of partner organizations and field focal points on safeguarding, PSEA, and risk mitigation.
- Facilitate regular reflection and learning sessions with teams to strengthen safe programing practices.
- Ensure safeguarding awareness materials are accessible, visible, and culturally appropriate across all locations.
- Reporting, Case Management & Response
- Ensure all safeguarding concerns, allegations, and incidents are reported within 24 hours in line with organizational procedures.
- Support initial assessment and appropriate response to safeguarding cases, including SEA allegations, as required.
- Facilitate safe, confidential, and survivor-centered referral pathways (medical, psychosocial, legal, and security services).
- Ensure all staff and partners are aware of reporting channels and focal points.
- Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor safeguarding compliance and provide hands-on support.
- Ensure proper documentation and secure record-keeping of safeguarding incidents.
- Work closely with program teams to ensure beneficiaries, including children, understand safeguarding standards and complaint mechanisms.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Safeguarding & Integrity Manager on trends, risks, and mitigation actions.
- Partnership & Strategy Implementation
- Support safeguarding integration within partner organizations (WASSA, AWEC, AWUDO, RSDO) through technical guidance and oversight.
- Collaborate with technical teams (Child Protection, HR) to strengthen safeguarding systems and referral pathways.
- Contribute to the development of accessible, community-based reporting mechanisms.
- Provide practical solutions to complex safeguarding risks within the framework of organizational policies.