JOB DESCRIPTION

Koidu Government Hospital (KGH) is the principal secondary-level referral hospital for Kono District, delivering a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, including maternity, pediatrics, surgery, medicine, emergency care, and adolescent and youth-friendly services. As a high-volume public hospital serving women, children, adolescents, and other priority populations, KGH plays a critical role in advancing safe, dignified, and respectful care.

In line with PIH-SL’s accompaniment approach, the KGH liaison Safeguarding Officer will work in close partnership with KGH leadership, departments, and frontline teams to strengthen and support existing safeguarding and PSEAH practices across the hospital, while providing focused technical support to flagship services such as the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) and Adolescent & Youth Friendly Services (AYFS).through  the Hospital Safeguarding Committee, including KGH and MCOE,( comprises the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Program Manager, the Clinical Lead and the Clinical Manger) and designated Focal Points. The engagement with these stakeholders supports PIH-SL to fulfil safeguarding /PSEAH obligations, protecting vulnerable individuals, especially patients, from harm, abuse, and neglect, ensuring their dignity, rights, and well- being are upheld.

The KGH liaison Safeguarding Officer engages with the Safeguarding Technical Lead to provide Safeguarding/PSEAH advisory support to the KGH as MCOE Leadership, including the RHMN Program Manager and the Clinical Manager.

He/she will support the hospital leadership and workforce to enhance each team’s responsibility to prevent safeguarding breaches and report any concerns.

The role supports the progressive strengthening of hospital-wide safeguarding systems, promoting shared responsibility, clear reporting pathways, and consistent standards of conduct across clinical and non-clinical services. Through collaboration, capacity strengthening, and practical support, the KGH liaison Safeguarding Officer will contribute to reinforcing KGH’s commitment to patient safety, dignity, and wellbeing, in alignment with national policies and PIH safeguarding standards

• In collaboration with the KGH Safeguarding Committee to develop and implement a Safer Adolescent Youth Friendly Center, code of conduct.
• Ensure that safeguarding /PSEAH requirements and reporting procedures are clearly understood by all staff, contractors, visitors, and patients themselves. This may include providing briefings, training, or disseminating materials, including safeguarding friendly materials.
• Support the establishment, strengthening, and functioning of KGH-level safeguarding coordination structures, including hospital-wide and departmental safeguarding focal points.
• Work with KGH leadership to integrate safeguarding/PSEAH considerations into routine hospital management and quality-of-care processes, in line with national policies and PIH accompaniment principles.
• Promote shared responsibility for safeguarding across clinical, administrative, support, and contracted staff, using a supportive, capacity-building approach rather than enforcement-focused language.
• Support the KGH Safeguarding Committee, including the RMNCAH Program manager, Lead Clinician, and the Clinical Manager in monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of the AYFS Center Code of Conduct.
• Provide the Adolescent Youth Friendly Center’s beneficiaries and youth facilitators with youth-friendly safeguarding/PSEAH information.
• Ensure that clear and consistent messages regarding PIH safeguarding/PSEAH policies are given to patients, caregivers, and husbands/ spouses waiting to receive their newborn babies.

Awareness

• Deliver or coordinate safeguarding briefings and orientations for hospital staff and service providers, including support services (e.g., cleaners, guards, and drivers).
• Support ongoing mentorship and practical accompaniment of safeguarding focal points across KGH, including MCOE.
• Facilitate the nomination, selection, and training of Hospital safeguarding Focal Points.
• Work with the KGH management to organize Hospital Safeguarding Committee meetings to share updates, assess the level of safeguarding/PSEAH compliance.
• Respond to requests for safeguarding/PSEAH information (calls/emails) from patients, staff and Hospital management, including the Clinical and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Program manager.
• Contribute to routine learning and improvement by identifying safeguarding trends, gaps, and good practices across hospital services, using anonymized and non-attributable information.

Reporting, Complaints & Case Management

• Monitor safeguarding reporting mechanisms across Hospital Facilities, including KGH and MCOE, and support consistent feedback and learning with hospital leadership.
• Respond to safeguarding enquiries from patients, caregivers, staff, and hospital management in a survivor-centered and confidential manner.
• Receive and refer complaints related to safeguarding breaches and SEA to the PSEA focal point as needed.
• Support the Safeguarding Lead in managing Safeguarding/PSEAH complaints and investigations.
• Perform any other duties as assigned from time to time

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Law, Gender & Development, Sociology, Community Psychology, or related fields is required.
•  Proven technical expertise and senior stewardship in safeguarding system design, organizational risk mitigation, HR alignment, community accountability, and partner standards.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in safeguarding and/or protection in a humanitarian or development setting working with vulnerable populations. Knowledge about safeguarding in health care settings is an added advantage.
• Experience in conducting SEAH/safeguarding investigations.
• Additional investigation qualifications aligned to sector standards from reputable bodies such as CHS Alliance, IASC, or comparable accredited training are highly desirable.

Technical Competencies

• Strong communication and active listening skills, strong facilitation and presentation skills with demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English 
•  Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and influence using a variety of different styles, taking into account cultural differences 

Behavioral Competencies

• Demonstrable interest and commitment in working to prevent SEAH and in working with survivors of safeguarding incidents
• Empathy for the challenges survivors face in reporting and the pressures an investigation places on all stakeholders, including the alleged perpetrator and management. 
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
• Ability to demonstrate integrity throughout the decision-making process.  
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships and to work in an inclusive and collaborative manner with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Strong interest in social justice
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement based on evidence, knowledge and understanding  
• Willingness to live in a rural area and travel within and to PIH-SL-supported sites regularly.

The successful candidate will receive appropriate training and must adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding policies. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory references and screening checks, which may include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

As a participant in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, we request information from previous employers about any instances of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Additionally, Partners In Health Sierra Leone will share records of such misconduct with other agencies upon staff departure, ensuring transparency and accountability. By applying, candidates acknowledge and agree to these recruitment procedures