Safeguarding Officer

Job Description

Career with BRAC Microfinance Sierra Leone Limited

Position:  Safeguarding Officer

Vacancy: One (01)

Are you a competent, dynamic and self-motivated individual? Apply to fill for the position of safeguarding officer in our growing nationwide network of branches. We encourage applications from all locations across the country. In this position you will be reporting to the BMSLL Human Resource Lead.

BRAC Microfinance Sierra Leone (SL) Limited (BMSLL) was launched in 2008, and has grown to become the largest microfinance institution in the country. Our mission is to provide a range of financial services responsibly to people at the bottom of the pyramid. We particularly focus on women living in poverty in rural and hard-to-reach areas, to create self-employment opportunities, build financial resilience, and promote women’s entrepreneurial spirit by empowering them economically.

Our core products include a group-based microloan provided exclusively to women, and small enterprise loans for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses. We also provide loans for jobholders with low to moderate income.  

In all our endeavors, we adhere to the Universal Standards for Social Performance Management and the Client Protection Principles, placing clients’ well-being at the center of everything we do to achieve our social mission.

JOB PURPOSE: 

In our strive to uphold and maintain Safeguarding policies of BMSLL, the safeguarding team will ensure our responsibilities to protect the vulnerable, especially women participating in our programmes.

Help to create a safe working environment for our staff and associated personnel to ensure all those involved in our work uphold the highest ethical standards and are safeguarded against any form of harassment, exploitation and abuse.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY:   

• Your main responsibility will be to conduct training, create safeguarding awareness culture on Safeguarding policies for all staff, client and Partners across the country.
• Ensure safeguarding related cases are manage in line with the survivor centre approach, their safety, security and well-being are not undermine. 
• Timely report all safeguarding cases while maintaining a high level of confidentiality during and after investigation.
• Follow the SOP for safeguarding incident reporting to ensure BMSLL meets its obligations to lenders/external stakeholders to report safeguarding violations (with support from the country, regional and HQ safeguarding units)
• Work and follow-up with stakeholders to ensure that identified safeguarding risks and gaps are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.
• Promote a safe work environment in all your dealings. 
• Avoid actions, which may cause any form of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation of team members to achieve the program’s goals on safeguarding. 

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor Degree in Sociology, Gender & Women’s Studies, Development Studies, International Development, Anthropology, Economics or any relevant discipline from a recognized institution.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS:

• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills with regards to safeguarding 
• Experience of implementing safeguarding policy and practices 
• Knowledge of international standards of safeguarding and best practices
• Experience of supporting sensitive safeguarding investigations 
• Ability to work strategically and practically across multi-cultural teams clear communication and public speaking skills, capable of delivering messages appropriately to a variety of audiences
• Capable of working both individually and as part of a team
• Excellent relationship management skills and ability to communicate in all forms (written, verbal, negotiation, presentation skills)
• Ability to work under pressure and manage tight deadlines
• Excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Attach photocopy of National ID Card, Passport or Birth Certificate
• Attach copy of Academic Certificate

JOB LOCATION: Country Office, Freetown with frequent travel to different part country wide.

If you feel you are the right fit for the above-mentioned position, follow the application instructions below;

Interested candidates need to send a signed application letter, citing the position being applied for, attaching an updated CV mentioning academic qualification, educational grades, copy of national ID and or birth certificate or passport. The application pack should be sent to our email recruitment.sierraleone@brac.net, OR hand delivered to our BMSLL County Office, 2 Samuel Banister Drive, Wilberforce,

Only completed applications will be accepted and shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application deadline: 5th April 2024

BRAC Microfinance (SL) Limited is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and clients /beneficiaries to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation – regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment process includes extensive reference and background checks, self-disclosure of prior issues regarding sexual or other misconduct and criminal records and our values are a part of our Performance Management System.

BRAC Microfinance (SL) Limited is an equal opportunity employer.