The Safeguarding Manager is a key member of the Human Resources Department working closely with the HR Director, the Regional PSEAH/Safeguarding Advisor, the Executive Director, and other relevant departments to promote safeguarding including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH).

This role will lead safeguarding activities for all programs in the country and will be responsible for implementing the Safeguarding and sub-set of policies and procedures across the organization, act as the reporting avenue for safeguarding concerns violations. The position holder will lead the process of ensuring safeguarding risk management is done and safeguarding indicators are mainstreamed in the program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and partnerships.

The role facilitates the development of safeguarding capacities for our staff, and our patients, beneficiaries, families and community members that PIH interacts with in the course of their work. The safeguarding Manager will work to ensure all staff and stakeholders understand the policies and standards.

The job holder will also lead the case management process by ensuring confidential investigations are done in a timely fashion following a risk assessment of cases, ensure disciplinary actions are implemented and documented by HR, provide survivor support, and lead the mapping of referral services in the country for all programs

Responsibilities 

The position will primarily work to create and promote a safe and healthy working environment and culture that promotes a healthy work environment that prevents and responds to any form of abuse including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in all its forms within or outside the organization.

The role reports to the HR Director and work closely with the OnePIH Regional Safeguarding Advisor to support the following key deliverables: –

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

Work with the HR team to ensure that all aspects of HR policy and procedure are supportive of good safeguarding practice that promote safe recruitment.

• Work with Directors and Managers to implement safeguarding standards highlighted in annual site Dashboard and report progress
• Ensure mainstreaming of safeguarding and PSEAH measures in all programs budgets activities, procedures and organizational policies
• Activate focal points in each site and departments and build their capacity both for staff and community.
• Conduct risk assessments and manage a risk register for tracking and mitigating PSEAH risks in each PIH programs
• Work with HR 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 sufficient resources for responding to survivors of SEAH and other safeguarding incidents
• Manage and respond to reported cases in collaboration with HR, PSEAH focal point, PSEAH Regional Advisor and leadership.

• Work with Regional PSEAH Advisor, HR and leadership in responding appropriately to safeguarding complaints.
• Supporting investigations relating to safeguarding incidents, providing professional advice and support to investigators, HR and leadership while maintaining high levels of case confidentiality and professionalism.

• Identify survivor support referral services in community and district level and ensure timely linkage to care and follow-up.
• Support PIH Sierra Leone to establish and manage culturally and contextually appropriate safeguarding reporting channels at all levels.
• Compile periodic case trackers statistical information on SEA cases received during the quarter and year and analysis on key trends for actions

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

• Work with Regional Advisor to develop PSEAH training content and roll out trainings across PIH staff and partners
• Conduct periodic trainings for existing staff members and induction for new staff, volunteers, interns and community health workers to raise awareness of safeguarding and PSEAH
• Conduct tailored trainings for key PIH associates including vendors, contractors, partners and visitors on PSEAH policy.

3.Build strategic partnerships to strengthen safeguarding across PIH’s networks and locations

• Work closely with PIH policy and Partnership staff to advocate for safeguarding reforms externally with Government, donors and relevant networks
• Participate and support liaison between PIH 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 Sierra Leone in relevant forums.

4.       Community Reporting and Feedback Mechanisms, Monitoring and Learning.

• Design and help roll-out a safe and survivor centered reporting and feedback mechanisms in accordance with PIH safeguarding policies
• Monitor community based reporting and feedback mechanisms in collaboration with relevant staff teams, patients, key beneficiaries and community stakeholders.
• Monitor progress of PSEAH activities within the organization and provide support where gaps have been identified in from of reports and updates to leadership teams.
• Support the continual improvement of safeguarding strategy, policies and practice, sharing areas of best practice and identifying where improvements are required.
• Support HR in managing PSEAH complaints and investigations.

• Work with HR to publicize complaints and investigation procedures among staff, partners and community.

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

Qualification and Experience

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team member with a minimum 03 years’ experience of working in field of Safeguarding including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse, child protection, and or Sexual and Gender based Violence prevention.

Experience in implementing safeguarding policies and practices, ability to build trust among stakeholders to report safeguarding violations, ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and sensitivity, Knowledge of international standards of safeguarding and ability to implement best practices. Experience in conducting SEAH investigations will be an added advantage:

Bachelors or 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 

Project management experience of at least 3 years and subsequent skills demonstrated

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize workload

Strong communication and active listening skills, strong facilitation and presentation skills and demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English and Krio. Additional Knowledge speaking Kono and Mende languages would be a benefit.

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.

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 districts regularly