Regional Safeguarding Advisor – West Africa at CARE International

CARE is seeking a Regional Safeguarding Advisor – West Africa. CARE believes that everyone has the right to live free from abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, and we are committed to protecting them in all our activities. This role has been created to ensure that we continue to protect people from sexual harassment exploitation and abuse, and that this is managed in a professional, sensitive, coordinated, accountable and urgent way, in line with best practices within CARE and the sector. 

The post holder reports to the CARE USA Director of Safeguarding and PSHEA and is responsible for socializing and raising awareness of CI’s Safeguarding and PSHEA policy by; 

• Ensuring that CARE offices in the West Africa region are prepared and able to respond to reports of SHEA (sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse) and CA (Child abuse).  
• Raising awareness of the issues and CARE’s policy commitments, including our zero-tolerance approach through training and coaching 
• Ensuring that the global SHEA/ CA reporting mechanism (CAREline) is socialized and used by staff and related personnel 
• Ensuring that community based complaints mechanisms are designed, consulted on and communicated to staff and program participants and the   wider community. 
• The post holder will be the Lead SHEA and CA investigator in the region, and will be accountable for ensuring that reports are followed up and survivor support mechanisms are in place.
• Working with program colleagues in the region to ensure that PSHEA is mainstreamed into program design 
• Working closely with country office (CO) PSHEA focal points and SHEA Investigators to deliver these objectives

The post holder is also jointly responsible for the delivery of the Safeguarding and PSHEA team road map, working closely with the Safeguarding team to ensure that the HQ authorized training/ awareness raising program is delivered in country offices, and to support with investigations and capacity building of CO PSHEA focal points and investigators.

Although the primary focus of the role is the West Africa region this is a global role, therefore travel is a key aspect of this role. The post holder is required to travel to locations of humanitarian disaster and conflict as part of this role and should be willing and able to do so.

Responsibilities:

• PSHEA capacity building support and advice to West Africa country offices and region
• Regional vetting & referencing checks including implementation of the misconduct diclosure scheme
• Investigation- Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse
• Emergency response and deployment
• Other tasks as delegated by the Director of Safeguarding and PSHEA

Qualifications:

• Degree level of education or equivalent
• 3-5 years of safeguarding experience
• Previous experience of humanitarian work (3-5 years)
• Training in managing sensitive investigations
• Training in interview skills and techniques or mediation techniques
• Must have previous experience of managing sensitive and serious investigations involving SEA
• Must have a high level of resilience and ability to remain calm under difficult circumstances
• Must have experience of managing organisational change and uncertainty
• Must be able to impartial in the most challenging situations
• Must have excellent problem – solving, and decision-making skills
• Highly confidential and discrete
• Proven experience in building and maintaining trust
• Experienced trainer, facilitator and mediator
• Fluent French and English speaking and writing skills

Note: Location is Nigeria or other countries in the West Africa region where CARE USA operates.