Senior Safeguarding Manager 

Job Description

 INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE 

 Sierra Leone – Job Description  

Job title : Senior Safeguarding Manager 

Salary Grade : 7A 

Department : Programs 

Location : Freetown with travel to field sites 

Reports to : Country Director 

Duration : Fulltime/Regular 

Application closing date: 29th October 2024 

Application Link:  

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/55585?c=rescue. 

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps  people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers  life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work  today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions  who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home. 

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND  

The IRC has been in Sierra Leone since 1999 at the height of the civil war and provided critical support  during the Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016, which had a direct impact on more than 14,000  individuals. Since its start, the IRC Sierra Leone has reached millions of clients and continues to  provide support to the country’s most vulnerable communities. The IRC Sierra Leone has country  office in Freetown and field offices in Bo, Kanema and Kailahun districts but implements currently in  10 districts of Bo, Moyamba, Pujehun, Bonthe, Falaba, Karene, Kailahun, Kenema Kono & Western  Urban Area. Currently IRC Sierra Leone programming aims at governance and system strengthening  for access to quality healthcare services and improving the education, livelihoods, and well-being of  women and girls. 

Job Overview/Summary 

The IRC has a strong commitment to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of safeguarding violations  in our workplace and in our programs – as well as a safe environment for reporting. We are  determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and,  where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.  

The Senior Safeguarding Manager will be responsible for the application of Safeguarding policies in  the country and for supporting the Sierra Leone program to protect clients and staff from any harm,  exploitation, and abuse. She/he will support the country program/teams in all sectors of IRC Sierra  Leone to determine and achieve the organizational objectives set in the strategic action plan and  the roadmap. She/he will also be responsible for the implementation of IRC’s Safeguarding strategy  and policy in the country 

The Senior Safeguarding Manager will be working under the direct supervision of the Country  Director, with technical support from the Regional Safeguarding Advisor, West Africa and the What 

1 October 2024 

Works2 Safeguarding advisor working in Sierra Leone, and in close collaboration with the Senior  Management team, Technical Coordinators, the HR team, and partners. He/she will be mainly  responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of IRC’s Safeguarding strategy in all  country program activities and will support the teams of all sectors to determine and achieve the  organizational objectives set in the strategic action plan and roadmap.  

Major Responsibilities 

Staff Learning and Competencies 

• Work with HR to ensure a coordinated, well-tracked system for the orientation of newly hired staff, enumerators, incentive workers, etc and refresher training to all staff on IRC policies, reporting pathways, and basic survivor referral and support options. 
• Work with HR to ensure that basic information on IRC safeguarding policies and expected behaviors are part of all IRC job postings.
• Support the rollout and implementation of the safeguarding minimum standards at the country level.
• Support the logistics department, to enhance their safeguarding mechanisms throughout  the procurement and service provision implementation. 
• Technical Field visits to monitor SG action plans implementation and provide necessary  support to the implementations and Field Offices.  

Safe Programming 

• Support staff to take proactive steps to ensure that all programming activities identify  potential risks and work to eliminate and mitigate those risks. 
• Coordinate regular sensitization sessions on Safeguarding and Complaints Response  Mechanisms for clients and communities.  
• Support the drafting of program safeguarding guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures  (SOPs), and other required materials. 
• Support the review of any new proposal or project revision document to ensure safeguarding  considerations are included. 
• Will be a budget holder for safeguarding activities and will be responsible for managing the  spending of that budget across programs. 
• Support staff as requested to establish and disseminate information on basic referral and response pathways for survivors of violence, exploitation, and abuse, in coordination with inter-agency efforts 
• Work with program coordinators, MEAL, and client responsiveness to ensure that client feedback mechanisms and registers include PSEA/safeguarding reporting channels and protocols.  

Accountability 

• Support the IRC response mechanisms and ensure partner reporting mechanisms and case  handling frameworks are in line with IRC standards. 
• Review, update, and improve partner’s safeguarding case handling frameworks, policies and  SOPs localized for Sierra Leone. 
• Ensure the systematic updating and sharing of a centralized support service mapping.
•  Foster a working environment that is non-threatening, safe, and actively addressing  safeguarding in its processes.  
• Create safe spaces where people can ask questions, be listened to, and get answers about  safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and raising concerns.

2 October 2024 

• Support the implementation of ECU and EGR investigation’s recommendations 
• Demonstrable experience of providing confidential and sensitive support in the safeguarding  role  

Partnership 

▪ Ensure representation in country forums, conferences and clusters focusing on safeguarding  such as PSEA Network.  

▪ Review partners safeguarding policies and develop action plans to support improvement.

  ▪ Support the partnership team in the Safeguarding assessment process. 

▪ Oversee implementation of Action Plans issued from PCM and ensure that planned activities are delivered on time and within scope and meet technical standards. 

▪ Present the Minimum Standards to partners and support them to work accordingly.

▪ Provide necessary safeguarding training to partners’ focal points. 

Co-ordination 

• Facilitate national Safeguarding Community of Practice meetings, to foster information sharing, and cross-organizational learning on best practices and enhance safeguarding standard adherence across the NGO sector in Sierra Leone 
• As requested by the supervisor, represent the IRC to partners, donors, and other external stakeholders in Sierra Leone. 
• Keeping up to date on trends and new global safeguarding approaches and sharing  knowledge  

Training and Capacity Building 

• Continuously develop the capacity of district Safeguarding Focal Points, support them in their  safeguarding activities in their field locations, and organize regular safeguarding training for  staff per IRC Global policy and procedures. 
• Support partners in any of their safeguarding training needs. 
• Ensure safeguarding is a standing agenda item in internal meetings. 
• Arrange safeguarding inductions and ongoing capacity building of staff, through formal  training, discussion groups, refresher sessions, etc. 
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and  promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies. 
• Participate in regional Safeguarding remote or physical trainings and monthly meetings.
•  Build relationships with other Safeguarding Managers across the region. 

Donor Compliance 

• Monitor the implementation of IRC and partner safeguarding plans, including field visits.
•  Provide support and guidance to IRC and partners on the safe management of safeguarding incidents 

Key Working Relationships 

Position Reports to: Country Director 

Key Internal Contacts: 

▪ Country Program: SMT, Senior HR/Admin Manager, WPE Coordinator and other technical  leads

3 October 2024 

▪ The What Works 2 Advisor-working in Country who is also part of the global safeguarding  team.  

▪ Region/Global: Regional Safeguarding Adviser 

Key External Contacts: Partners 

Job Requirements/Qualifications: 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields such as human rights, international law, social sciences, Safeguarding, protection, PSEA or related fields. 

Work Experience: 

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in safeguarding, child protection, human rights, and/or  gender programming, preferably in an NGO context 
• Demonstrable understanding of safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and  Harassment, and power relations in the Sierra Leone context. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the concepts of confidentiality Do-no-harm principles and  survivor centered approach. 
• Proven experience in identifying and mitigating safeguarding risks 
• Proven experience working with children and vulnerable adults. 
• Demonstrable experience and skills in capacity development and training of others
•  Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks. 
• Commitment to upholding IRC’s values; demonstrating integrity, accountability, service, and  equality. 
• Ability to quickly build personal rapport, trust, ease of communication, and active listening.
•  Strong analytical and report writing skills, with excellent attention to detail.
•  Lead by example to motivate others to high performance. 

Demonstrated Competencies: 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills 
• Strong listening skills and ability to handle delicate situations with integrity and empathy.
•  The ability to build trust, motivate and enthuse others. 
• Demonstrable experience of providing confidential and sensitive support in a pastoral role 
•  Self-motivated and able to take initiatives, highly responsible, punctual, flexible, culturally  sensitive. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team 
• Must have good multitasking skills and cope well with pressure and adapt and learns from adversity. 
• Very strong commitment to continuous learning
• Knowledge of human rights, children’s rights, and protection issues in emergency situations
•  Proven ability to work effectively with a multicultural and diverse team in a sensitive environment 

Languages:  

• Fluent English (Written and Spoken)  

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

4 October 2024 

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and  PowerPoint.  

Ability to Travel: 50% of travel time to various program locations. 

Standards of Professional Conduct the IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles  outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In  accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from  Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others. 

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer  benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including  parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. 

Working Environment 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard  to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status,  disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

Application Link:  

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/55585?c=rescue 

Interested persons should submit their application letter, updated CV, labor card and all other  supporting documents on the application platform as well as send a copy of all application document  to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour – New England or to the nearest Ministry of Labour office  nationwide.  

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

5 October 2024