Key Responsibilities:
The Safeguards Officer supports the implementation of the REAP Safeguarding Strategy and is part of the Ethics and Business Conduct function, reporting to the Senior Manager, Ethics and Business Conduct.
The role supports country safeguarding structures and partners, coordinates follow up on safeguarding concerns and provides investigation support when formally assigned. Decisions on investigation findings, disciplinary action and formal donor notification remain with the authorized ILRI functions and decision makers.
Prevention and safeguarding risk management
- Coordinate safeguarding risk assessments with country teams and focal points and support the preparation, updating and follow up of country specific safeguarding action plans.
- Support programme teams to include safeguarding measures in programme design, field activities, research, travel, events, community engagement, digital activities, photography, use of personal information and other participant interactions.
- Work with People and Culture, Supply Chain and relevant programme teams to support safe recruitment, appropriate screening, codes of conduct and safeguarding requirements for staff, consultants, partners, contractors and service providers.
- Maintain practical safeguarding guidance, referral information and tools for use by programme teams, country teams and partners.
Reporting, response and case coordination
- Support safe, accessible and confidential reporting channels for staff, programme participants, communities and partners, including anonymous options where appropriate.
- Receive and document safeguarding concerns raised through programme channels, identify immediate safety needs and escalate concerns promptly to the Senior Manager, Ethics and Business Conduct through the approved reporting process.
- Support survivor centred and trauma informed referral arrangements, including access to appropriate health, psychosocial, legal or protection services where relevant.
- Maintain secure safeguarding records and track agreed actions, referrals and follow up in line with confidentiality and data protection requirements.
- Provide accurate and timely information needed for institutional, country and donor reporting through approved internal channels and within applicable reporting timelines.
- Support investigations when formally assigned, including logistics, document collection, interview coordination, evidence preservation and follow up actions. The role does not independently determine findings or disciplinary outcomes unless formally appointed under the applicable procedure.
Training, focal points and awareness
- Coordinate safeguarding induction, refresher training and role specific awareness for programme staff, consultants, field teams, researchers, partners, focal points and other relevant stakeholders.
- Support country safeguarding teams and focal points to maintain regular coordination, awareness activities, grievance review and escalation arrangements.
- Develop or adapt clear and context appropriate safeguarding materials for programme participants, communities and partners, including information on rights and reporting options.
Monitoring, partner compliance and reporting
- Monitor safeguarding requirements for implementing partners, contractors and service providers, including agreed clauses, codes of conduct, reporting obligations and corrective actions.
- Coordinate or conduct safeguarding monitoring visits, participant feedback sessions and periodic checks of risk mitigation measures, and follow up identified gaps.
- Maintain quarterly safeguarding monitoring logs and track concerns, mitigation actions and corrective measures for management review.
- Work with monitoring and evaluation colleagues to track agreed safeguarding indicators and contribute to annual safeguarding reviews and improvement actions.
- Prepare draft inputs for internal safeguarding updates and donor compliance reports and support follow up of agreed actions.
- Perform any other related duties as may be required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, human rights, law, social work, development studies, public health or another relevant field.
- Relevant professional training in safeguarding, PSEAH, child and youth protection, GBV, survivor centred response or a related area. A relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in safeguarding, PSEAH, child or youth protection, GBV prevention and response, accountability, ethics or a closely related area.
- Practical experience supporting safeguarding risk assessments, mitigation plans, training and programme implementation.
- Experience handling sensitive information, supporting confidential reporting or referral mechanisms and escalating concerns appropriately.
- Experience monitoring partner or service provider compliance and following up corrective actions.
- Experience in donor funded or multi partner programmes is an advantage. The minimum years of experience will be confirmed through People and Culture job evaluation.
- Sound judgement, discretion and a strong commitment to confidentiality and protection from retaliation.
- Working knowledge of survivor centred and trauma informed safeguarding practice.
- Strong facilitation and training skills, with the ability to explain safeguarding requirements in practical language.
- Strong written documentation, monitoring and follow up skills.
- Ability to work constructively with programme teams, researchers, partners, service providers, focal points and community-based structures.
- Ability to identify safeguarding risks early, follow up corrective actions and escalate concerns without delay.