Senior Safeguarding Manager
Freetown | Bonthe | Bo | Kenema | Kailahun | Pujehun | Moyamba
- Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
- Location: Freetown | Bonthe | Bo | Kenema | Kailahun | Pujehun | Moyamba
- Grade: Mid level - Mid level
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Occupational Groups:
- Protection Officer (Refugee)
- Managerial positions
- Safeguarding and Accountability
- Closing Date: Closed
The IRC has been in Sierra Leone since 1999 at the height of the civil war and provided critical support during the Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016, which had a direct impact on more than 14,000 individuals. Since its start, the IRC Sierra Leone has reached millions of clients and continues to provide support to the country’s most vulnerable communities. The IRC Sierra Leone has country office in Freetown and field offices in Bo, Kanema and Kailahun districts but implements currently in 10 districts of Bo, Moyamba, Pujehun, Bonthe, Falaba, Karene, Kailahun, Kenema Kono & Western Urban Area. Currently IRC Sierra Leone programming aims at governance and system strengthening for access to quality healthcare services and improving the education, livelihoods, and well-being of women and girls.
Job Overview/Summary
The IRC has a strong commitment to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of safeguarding violations in our workplace and in our programs – as well as a safe environment for reporting. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.
The Senior Safeguarding Manager will be responsible for the application of Safeguarding policies in the country and for supporting the Sierra Leone program to protect clients and staff from any harm, exploitation, and abuse. She/he will support the country program/teams in all sectors of IRC Sierra Leone to determine and achieve the organizational objectives set in the strategic action plan and the roadmap. She/he will also be responsible for the implementation of IRC's Safeguarding strategy and policy in the country
The Senior Safeguarding Manager will be working under the direct supervision of the Country Director, with technical support from the Regional Safeguarding Advisor, West Africa and the What Works2 Safeguarding advisor working in Sierra Leone, and in close collaboration with the Senior Management team, Technical Coordinators, the HR team, and partners. He/she will be mainly responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of IRC's Safeguarding strategy in all country program activities and will support the teams of all sectors to determine and achieve the organizational objectives set in the strategic action plan and roadmap.
Major Responsibilities
Staff Learning and Competencies
Work with HR to ensure a coordinated, well-tracked system for the orientation of newly hired staff, enumerators, incentive workers, etc and refresher training to all staff on IRC policies, reporting pathways, and basic survivor referral and support options.
Work with HR to ensure that basic information on IRC safeguarding policies and expected
behaviors are part of all IRC job postings.
Support the rollout and implementation of the safeguarding minimum standards at the country level.
Support the logistics department, to enhance their safeguarding mechanisms throughout the procurement and service provision implementation.
Technical Field visits to monitor SG action plans implementation and provide necessary support to the implementations and Field Offices.
Safe Programming
Support staff to take proactive steps to ensure that all programming activities identify potential risks and work to eliminate and mitigate those risks.
Coordinate regular sensitization sessions on Safeguarding and Complaints Response Mechanisms for clients and communities.
Support the drafting of program safeguarding guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other required materials.
Support the review of any new proposal or project revision document to ensure safeguarding considerations are included.
Will be a budget holder for safeguarding activities and will be responsible for managing the spending of that budget across programs.
Support staff as requested to establish and disseminate information on basic referral and response pathways for survivors of violence, exploitation, and abuse, in coordination with inter-agency efforts
Work with program coordinators, MEAL, and client responsiveness to ensure that client feedback mechanisms and registers include PSEA/safeguarding reporting channels and protocols.
Accountability
Support the IRC response mechanisms and ensure partner reporting mechanisms and case handling frameworks are in line with IRC standards.
Review, update, and improve partner’s safeguarding case handling frameworks, policies and SOPs localized for Sierra Leone.
Ensure the systematic updating and sharing of a centralized support service mapping.
Foster a working environment that is non-threatening, safe, and actively addressing safeguarding in its processes.
Create safe spaces where people can ask questions, be listened to, and get answers about safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and raising concerns.
Support the implementation of ECU and EGR investigation’s recommendations
Demonstrable experience of providing confidential and sensitive support in the safeguarding role
Partnership
Ensure representation in country forums, conferences and clusters focusing on safeguarding such as PSEA Network.
Review partners safeguarding policies and develop action plans to support improvement.
Support the partnership team in the Safeguarding assessment process.
Oversee implementation of Action Plans issued from PCM and ensure that planned activities are delivered on time and within scope and meet technical standards.
Present the Minimum Standards to partners and support them to work accordingly.
Provide necessary safeguarding training to partners’ focal points.
Co-ordination
Facilitate national Safeguarding Community of Practice meetings, to foster information sharing, and cross-organizational learning on best practices and enhance safeguarding standard adherence across the NGO sector in Sierra Leone
As requested by the supervisor, represent the IRC to partners, donors, and other external stakeholders in Sierra Leone.
Keeping up to date on trends and new global safeguarding approaches and sharing knowledge
Training and Capacity Building
Continuously develop the capacity of district Safeguarding Focal Points, support them in their safeguarding activities in their field locations, and organize regular safeguarding training for staff per IRC Global policy and procedures.
Support partners in any of their safeguarding training needs.
Ensure safeguarding is a standing agenda item in internal meetings.
Arrange safeguarding inductions and ongoing capacity building of staff, through formal training, discussion groups, refresher sessions, etc.
Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
Participate in regional Safeguarding remote or physical trainings and monthly meetings.
Build relationships with other Safeguarding Managers across the region.
Donor Compliance
Monitor the implementation of IRC and partner safeguarding plans, including field visits.
Provide support and guidance to IRC and partners on the safe management of safeguarding incidents
Key Working Relationships
Position Reports to: Country Director
Key Internal Contacts:
Country Program: SMT, Senior HR/Admin Manager, WPE Coordinator and other technical leads
The What Works 2 Advisor-working in Country who is also part of the global safeguarding team.
Region/Global: Regional Safeguarding Adviser
Key External Contacts: Partners
Minimum Qualifications:
Job Requirements/Qualifications:
Education:
·Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields such as human rights, international law, social sciences, Safeguarding, protection, PSEA or related fields.
Work Experience:
·Minimum of 3 years’ experience in safeguarding, child protection, human rights, and/or gender programming, preferably in an NGO context
·Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, and power relations in the Sierra Leone context.
·Demonstrated understanding of the concepts of confidentiality Do-no-harm principles and survivor centered approach.
·Proven experience in identifying and mitigating safeguarding risks
·Proven experience working with children and vulnerable adults.
·Demonstrable experience and skills in capacity development and training of others
·Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
·Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks.
·Commitment to upholding IRC’s values; demonstrating integrity, accountability, service, and equality.
·Ability to quickly build personal rapport, trust, ease of communication, and active listening.
·Strong analytical and report writing skills, with excellent attention to detail.
·Lead by example to motivate others to high performance.
Demonstrated Competencies:
·Excellent communication and presentation skills
·Strong listening skills and ability to handle delicate situations with integrity and empathy.
·The ability to build trust, motivate and enthuse others.
·Demonstrable experience of providing confidential and sensitive support in a pastoral role
·Self-motivated and able to take initiatives, highly responsible, punctual, flexible, culturally sensitive. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Must have good multitasking skills and cope well with pressure and adapt and learns from adversity.
- Very strong commitment to continuous learning
·Knowledge of human rights, children's rights, and protection issues in emergency situations
- Proven ability to work effectively with a multicultural and diverse team in a sensitive environment
Languages:
·Fluent English (Written and Spoken)
Computer/Other Tech Requirements:
·Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to Travel: 50% of travel time to various program locations.
Standards of Professional Conduct the IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Working Environment
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Interested persons should submit their application letter, updated CV, labor card and all other supporting documents on the application platform as well as send a copy of all application document to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour - New England or to the nearest Ministry of Labour office nationwide.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.