Regional Safeguarding Specialist

Role Overview

Action Against Hunger International (ACF) is an international humanitarian organization recognized for its fight against hunger. We are seeking a Regional Safeguarding Specialist to lead the implementation of our Safeguarding policy and procedures across Regional and country operations. The role involves facilitating the structural embedding of safeguarding, supporting country offices in developing contextualized practices, and ensuring safeguarding is integrated into program design and implementation. This role is crucial in fostering a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly children, beneficiaries, and staff members.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding Strategy and Implementation

• Lead the implementation of the Safeguarding policy and procedures and facilitate structural embedding across Regional and country operations.
• Support country offices in developing contextualized safeguarding practices aligned with organizational procedures.
• Support country offices in embedding safeguarding into program design and implementation.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Lead and support Country office teams in conducting Safeguarding assessments and setting up community complaints mechanisms.
• Identify high-risk contexts and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Establish and update safeguarding risk registers for all country offices.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements regarding safeguarding.
• Work with Regional HR to map vetting and reference checking processes, including the misconduct disclosure scheme.

Investigation, Case Management and Incident Response

• Lead investigations and case management, ensuring survivor support mechanisms are in place.
• Ensure accurate close-out of investigations while adhering to principles of confidentiality, impartiality, fairness, and sensitivity.
• Provide on-the-ground safeguarding support during humanitarian emergencies in the region.
• Deliver coordinated Safeguarding services to Country Offices in collaboration with Regional Directors.

Capacity Building and Training

• Lead the roll-out of awareness creation and capacity building for all staff.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to Country Offices and Regional Teams.
• Ensure Community Complaints Mechanisms adequately cover safeguarding needs.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Lead safeguarding data collection, auditing, and reporting for internal and donor requirements.
• Conduct internal audits and reviews on safeguarding practices in country offices.
• Prepare and share safeguarding reports for the leadership team to facilitate continuous improvement.

Partnerships and External Engagement

• Create relationships with Safeguarding Community of Practice members in the Network.
• Engage with peer agencies and safeguarding forums to understand sector trends.
• Represent the organization in Regional Safeguarding networks and platforms.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social Work, Law, International Development, Human Rights, Psychology, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 7-10 years of humanitarian work experience in Safeguarding, Protection, Child Protection, GBV, or PSEA.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex safeguarding cases and conducting investigations.
• Certified trainer in Safeguarding investigations.
• Experience in managing sensitive investigations involving SEA, Child Safeguarding, and trafficking of persons.
• Experience developing safeguarding resource materials and training curricula.
• Experience working in emergency and/or development contexts (Horn and East Africa Region experience is an added advantage).
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is an advantage.
• This is a national position open to Kenyan nationals or persons with the right to work in Kenya.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for long periods and concentrate on heavy volumes of work under stressful situations.
• Must be physically fit to travel to the field, which may involve walking long distances, limited diets, and basic housing.
• Regular attendance of at least five days per week, including availability for weekends/outside normal hours if required.
• Exposure to high security risk settings and infectious diseases may occur during field visits.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Workable portal. Access the application link here: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1164466