Safeguarding Specialist

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF EA, we strive to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the need to increase access to professional opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. If you're interested in this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions. 

Firmly committed to safeguarding patients, community members, staff, and all those in contact with the organization from all forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), we will take all necessary steps, through rigorous vetting processes, to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse do not join the organization.

For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as High risk and will be monitored with this in regard.

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. 

About MSF Eastern Africa

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.  

Rationale/Objective for Position

The Safeguarding Specialist is responsible for supporting and implementing safeguarding policies and procedures at programming location in collaboration with different MSF Operational Entities. 

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the Head of EDI & Safeguarding.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Lead or support on administrative workplace investigations at HQ and/or programming context.
• Follow up and address safeguarding concerns and challenges as they may occur.
• Build capacity for staff and affiliated members on safeguarding, including risk assessments, through trainings, workshops and alternative measures.
• Identify and develop necessary materials in collaboration with the behaviour /safeguarding Unit team to support the capacity building processes.
• Carry out safeguarding audits and provide support on self-assessments for programming context.
• Carry out field visit and/or audit reports after travel to programming context to contribute to the review of existing safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Follow up on safeguarding concerns and conduct lessons learnt exercise as preventative measure.
• Carry out surveys in relation to every workshop/training conducted.
• Support on mainstreaming of safeguarding capacity at MSF EA HQ and/or programming context though newly developed tools and practices.
• Contribute to the development of the Unit’s Annual Plan and support on internal monitoring of objectives set for the role.
• Support on regional networking strategies to ensure accountability through partnerships and best practices.

Other Responsibilities

• Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse.
• Engage in on-going self-reflection and proactive approach to advance on EDI & Safeguarding related knowledge and skills.
• Integrate EDI & Safeguarding strategies and practices in area of work responsibility, while utilizing relevant available data to gain insights for informed decision making at all levels.
• Compliance assurance - Ensure that all data processing activities within the unit comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations in your area of operation, including the Data Protection Act, 2019 and support your team to receive necessary training in this area.
• Policy adherence - Enforce data protection policies, procedures, and guidelines within the unit, ensuring that all team members are aware of and adhere to these protocols.
• Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation. 

Qualifications

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, social or organizational science, human rights, international development, law, education, or similar field from a recognized institution.
• Specific education/certification related to Safeguarding is a strong and added advantage.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding principles and capacity to use it in trainings and audits.
• Ability to develop case strategies, conduct investigative interviews and deliver investigation reports of high quality and within short deadlines
• Fluency in English and French is required, and knowledge of Kiswahili and/or other language is an added advantage.
• Cultural knowledge and competence of the African context is highly desirable.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in Safeguarding, Protection or GBV.
• Proven track record in leading and conducting workplace administrative investigations in the Humanitarian sector.
• Experience in supporting Safeguarding training/workshops.
• Experience conducting Safeguarding audits and/or self-assessments is desirable.
• Work experience from East or Central Africa is highly desirable.
• Experience advising on risks and risk mitigation regarding investigations into allegations of abuse.

Competencies

• Technical Competencies
• • Ability to conduct workplace administrative investigations, following due process and in a timely manner.
  • Strong analytical and advisory skills and the ability to translate complex analysis into concise, clear, and actionable conclusions and recommendations
  • Ability to conduct Safeguarding audits with support and guidance from the Unit team.
  • Ability to facilitate trainings/workshops on Safeguarding related topics with support and guidance from the Unit team.
• Behavioral /General Competencies
• • Respectful and appropriate behavior in support of MSF Behavioral Commitments.
  • Commitment to MSF’s Values and Principles, to our vision and mission of promoting the rights and well-being of patients and community members at risk.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment successfully and to demonstrate commitment and support for diversity, gender-responsive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.
  • Ability to inspire and build collaborative working relationships.
  • Ability to handle highly sensitive situations and confidential information diplomatically and discreetly.
  • Ability to work independently and take initiatives.
  • Ability to manage conflict constructively and effectively.
  • Excellent listening and organizational skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
  • Results and Quality Oriented.
  • Ethics: High ethical standards and a commitment to protecting the data of individuals and furthering MSF mandate.