Safeguarding Coordinator at Search For Common Ground’s International

Position Summary

• Search is seeking an experienced Safeguarding Coordinator for an anticipated 24-month project funded by the European Union. The project will be implemented in Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states. The overall goal of the project is to enhance young people's entrepreneurial and peacebuilding agency within their communities and raise awareness of the positive contributions young people make to the social and economic fabric of their communities. The Safeguarding Coordinator will play a pivotal role The Safeguarding Officer will have a critical role in managing safeguarding issues, including the implementation of preventive measures, identification of potential risks, and reporting of any safeguarding or abuse concerns. They will be responsible for receiving and documenting any incidents or concerns related to safeguarding. . This position holder will report to the Country Director and will be based in Abuja.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Implementation and Compliance
• Support the implementation of Search’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Guidelines at the national and local levels, with the backing of the Leadership management team, including the Country Director.
• Ensure all Search staff, associates, and partners read and understand the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, as evidenced by a signed Safeguarding Declaration Form.

Promotion of Safety and Wellbeing

• Actively promote the safety and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults participating across activities, communications, and programs.
• Raise awareness on safeguarding among project participants, ensuring they are aware of acceptable behaviors they can expect from Search representatives and how to report any violations.

Training and Capacity Building

• Deliver Safeguarding & Child Protection training to Search staff, affiliates, and partners.
• Develop training materials ,maintain a training record and ensure all project staff, affiliates, and partners receive refresher safeguarding training as part of project start-up.

Incident Management and Documentation

• Maintain a database of reported incidents
• Ensure P & C departments are informed of any allegations of abuse or concerns within 24 hours of the report.

Communication and Materials

• Liaise with Search Media /Communications Teams to ensure all program sites and offices have age-appropriate and developmentally friendly safeguarding materials, such as posters and flyers, displayed.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Collaborate with Project Managers to ensure risk assessments are completed before project implementation, considering risks related to child abuse (emotional, sexual, neglect, physical, and exploitation) and unsafe programming.

Feedback and Reporting

• Provide regular feedback on compliance with the Safeguarding Policy.
• Gather information on service mapping and referral pathways for safeguarding responses in the relevant location and make referrals if required.

Inter-agency Collaboration

• Participate in any available inter-agency safeguarding or PSEA networks.

Uphold Key Principles

• Uphold key principles including Best Interest of the Child, Do No Harm, Honoring Dignity, Equal Rights Approach, Confidentiality, Participation, and Transparency throughout all safeguarding activities.

Ethics and Code of Conduct

• Serve as an in-house resource on all Ethics-related initiatives, including those related to Search’s Code of Conduct and its other subsidiary policies and procedures.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties broadly in line with the above key duties.

Core Competencies

• In depth awareness of safeguarding, child protection, equal rights, and abuse, and ability to develop knowledge in these areas.
• Experience working with children, youth, or vulnerable adults in a participatory and inclusive manner, honoring and promoting their right to express and have their views taken seriously in all matters affecting them e.g. through current role within Search.
• Demonstrable experience in advocating for change within an organization.
• Capacity building experience and an ability to mentor and support staff.
• Some experience delivering and facilitating training to staff and/or communities.
• Strong information management skills, particularly maintaining a database and confidential information.
• Knowledge of risk assessment to ensure safeguarding concerns captured and adequately mitigated against.
• Strong analytical skills and solution focused thinking.
• Strong coordination and proactive leadership skills. Leads by example to motivate high performance of others.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, or related fields;
• Additional education in conflict management, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation is an added advantage

Required Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Gender, Child Protection, Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, or another related field
• At least 5 years of accrued working experience in the peacebuilding sector with a minimum of 2 years in a humanitarian organization, international NGO, or equivalent organization.
• Minimum of 2 years’ leading or supporting safeguarding, gender/GBV, ASRH, inclusion, child protection, AAP or accountability functions.
• Proven knowledge and experience in applying child participation methodologies.
• Substantial experience of child safeguarding, disability inclusion, child protection, PSEAH, SGBV or safe programming issues and practice, within insecure settings.
• Experience in leading or supporting in safeguarding investigations.
• Experience on facilitation and coordination of training and workshop.
• Experience in conducting assessment, monitoring, and risk analysis

Other Relevant Requirements

• Good knowledge of the local languages will be an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to form effective partnerships with Search staff, affiliates and partners.
• Respect for local culture and customs.
• High degree of professionalism/integrity.
• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations.
• Strong emotional intelligence including self-awareness.
• Strong commitment to continuous learning.