Safeguarding Specialist (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) job opportunity. Deadline 21st November 2021

Position: Safeguarding Specialist (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment)

Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

Commitment: Full Time; 2 years’ Contract            

Location  : PIH/IMB Sites: Southern Kayonza, Kirehe & Burera

Job Summary:

The Safeguarding Specialist is a key member of the Human Resources department working closely with the Chief HR Officer, the Regional PSEAH/Safeguarding Advisor, the Executive Director, and other relevant departments to promote safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and facilitate the development of capacities for our staff, and our patients, families and community members that PIH/IMB interacts within the course of their work. The safeguarding specialist will work to ensure all staff and stakeholders understand the policies and standards as well as develop resources to support PSEAH programs with readily accessible reporting and redress mechanisms for reported cases whether by staff or community members.

Responsibilities and Duties:

The position will primarily work to create and promote a safe and healthy working environment and culture that prevents and condemns sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in all its forms within or outside the organization. S/he will report to the Chief HR officer and work closely with the Regional PSEAH/Sagehuarding Advisor to support the following key delivarables:-

Key deliverables.

1. Support HR in implementation of PIH’s PSEAH policy standards and code conduct.

• Work with the Chief HR officer to ensure that all aspects of HR policy and procedure are supportive of good safeguarding practice including integration of safeguarding standards throughout recruitment and the employment contracts.
• Work with management to ensure integration and mainstreaming of safeguarding and PSEAH measures in all programme budgets activities, procedures, and organisational policies
• Support HR and IT department and management in enforcing Data Protection Protocols and implement appropriate procedures to maintain confidentiality of all data gathered in relation to PSEA
• Ensure that complaints /reporting measures /standard operating procedures (SOPs) are functional with focal point persons both for staff and community.
• Support embedding safeguarding, PSEAH and gender inclusion into PIH/IMB’s program designs and M&E frameworks
• Conduct risk assessments and manage a risk register for tracking and mitigating PSEAH risks
• Work with Chief HR Officer and management to ensure PSEAH policy commitments are embedded in all polices and contracts e.g. HR manual, transport policy, IT policy, communications policy, vendor contracts & MOU with Partners etc.

2. Implement survivor centered support services including strengthening referral networks

• Work with management to ensure availability of resources for responding to survivors of SEAH/ SGBV
• Design and help roll-out a safe and survivor centered reporting and feedback mechanisms
• Manage and respond to reported cases in collaboration with HR, PSEAH focal point, PSEAH Regional Advisor and leadership. This will include supporting investigations relating to safeguarding and providing professional advice and support to investigators, HR and leadership while maintaining high levels of case confidentiality
• Launch and manage a toll-free line for easy case reporting by both staff and community members
• Identify survivor support services and community and district level and ensure timely linkage to care and follow-up.

3. Build capacity and awareness of staff and partners in safeguarding and PSEAH

• Work with PSEAH focal point and Regional PSEAH Advisor to develop PSEAH training content and roll-out trainings across PIH/IMB staff and partners
• Conduct trainings for existing staff members and orientation for new recruits , volunteers, in-terns and community health workers to raise awareness of safeguarding and PSEAH
• Conduct tailored trainings for associates including vendors and visitors on PSEAH policy.
• Work with Communications Associate and PSEAH Focal point to develop, print/publish safeguarding and PSEAH Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to sustain awareness of PIH/IMB’s commitments.
• Support PIH/IMB to establish and manage culturally and contextually appropriate reporting lines at all levels for those who come into contact with our work.

4. Build internal and external safeguarding partnerships to strengthen PSEAH across PIH/IMB’s networks

• Participate in relevant district and national level stakeholder meetings
• Support liaison between PIH/IMB and any relevant safeguarding and PSEAH stakeholders, local authorities, national and international partners
• Participate in protection, child protection, Case Management, SGBV networks /bilateral meetings and represent PIH/IMB in relevant forums.

5. Monitoring compliance to PSEAH and  learning from practice

• Support development of PSEAH M&E framework; data collection tools and support report writing and data review/analysis for improved implementation and decision making.
• Establish, implement and monitor community based reporting and feedack mechanisms in collaboration with relevant project teams and key community stakeholders.
• Orient stakeholders supporting community based reporting and feedback mechanisms
• Develop data collection tools, reporting tools and case referal pathways for established community based reporting stakeholders
• Monitor progress of PSEAH activities within the organisation and provide support where gaps have been identified in form of reports and updates to leadership teams.
• Support the continual improvement of PSEAH strategy, policies and practice, sharing areas of best practice and identifying where improvements are required.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of safe and gender sensitive and/ survivor centered complaints and feedback mechanisms
• Compile statistical information on SEA cases received during the quarter and year and a narrative on key actions undertaken

6. Support HR in managing PSEAH complaints and investigations.

• Work with Chief HR Officer to publicize complaints and investigation procedures among staff, partners and community.
• Work with Regional PSEAH Advisor, HR and leadership in coordinating investigatons and responding appropriately to complaints.
• Work with HR and leadership to ensure adherence to PIH/IMB’s investigation policies and procedures during SEA investigations including guiding the due process to protect survivors and rights of alleged perpetrators during investigations
• work with HR and IT department in enforcing Data Protection Protocols and implement appropriate procedures to maintain confidentiality of all data gathered in relation to complains and investigations

7. Perform any other duties as assigned from time to time

Qualifications and Requirements:

 We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team member with a minimum 06 years’ experience of working on Safeguarding/PSEAH. Strong demonstrable experience working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse as well as identifying and mitigating risks. Experience in conducting SEAH investigations.

• A Master degree or equivalent in Social Science / Gender and Development/ Law /Sociology/community Psychology or equivalent degree in other relevant fields with relevant skill and proven expertise in Safeguarding in recent roles in development sector.
• Senior experience in Child Protection or demonstrable experience in safeguarding
• Demonstrable interest in working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse
• Demonstrable interest in working with young people and communities.

Technical Competencies

• Strong communication and active listening skills, strong facilitation and presentation skills, and demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English and Kinyarwanda
• Experience resolving safeguarding issues preferred
• Computer literate 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.
• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
• The ability to demonstrate integrity throughout the decision-making process.
• The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships and to work in an inclusive and collaborative manner with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exemplary interpersonal relationship skills; ability to collaborate with a staff of diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong interest for social justice
• Able to demonstrate sound judgement based on evidence, knowledge, and understanding
• Willingness to live in a rural area and travel within the district regularly

 Our values in practice:

Ubumuntu: Compassion

Ubupfura: Integrity

Agaciro: Dignity

Kugira Ishyaka: Determination 

Ubwubahane: Mutual respect

Ubunyangamugayo: Honesty

Ubumwe: Solidarity

 Gender Equality, diversity and inclusion statement:

It is the policy of PIH not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex and gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

Commitment to safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At Partners in Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Partner in Health’s PSEAH policy. Partner in Health will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

How to apply

Qualified and interested persons should apply to this email: jasiimwe@pih.org, enclosing their curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter only not later than 21st November 2021.