Accountability and Safeguarding Officer (Protection Mainstreaming) / Спеціаліст/ка програми з питань безпеки та підзвітності

GC has recently launched its Community-Led Emergency Action and Response (CLEAR) program in Ukraine’s Chernivtsi and Chernihiv Oblasts, with the generous support of USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance. This program is designed with the goal of saving lives, reducing suffering, and addressing needs while supporting communities to lead their own response. To that end, CLEAR will partner with local CSOs to implement humanitarian projects that address protection, shelter, or water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs in their communities.

Under the supervision of the Accountability & Safeguarding Coordinator (the Coordinator), the Accountability and Safeguarding Officer (the Officer) supports the application and development of CLEAR’s policies, guidelines, procedures, standards, tools, and capacity-building modalities. He/she works closely with the Protection Advisor, MEAL Manager and HQ Accountability and Safeguarding Unit, and with relevant staff from across senior management, programs, and operations, especially the human resources department.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Accountability:

• In close coordination with HQ-based Accountability Manager and Safeguarding Advisor, support the application of CLEAR’s Code of Conduct and Key Policies, guidelines, procedures, standards and tools.
• Ensure CLEAR and partner staff and suppliers are adequately trained and apply accountability principles across their respective lines of work.
• In coordination with the MEAL department, devise and implement appropriate monitoring tools to identify gaps in the application of the accountability systems and design tools and training modalities aimed to address these gaps.
• Support MEAL in its application through providing advice and in supporting the investigation of serious cases.
• Review existing HR systems and processes and suggest recommendations for their strengthening from the accountability and safeguarding perspective.

Safeguarding:

• Support the Coordinator in overseeing the implementation of safeguarding framework in compliance with international standards and norms, best practices, donor requirements, and CLEAR internal systems and procedures.
• Assist the Coordinator and Program Director in implementing and monitoring the Safeguarding checklist.
• Support the HR team in the implementation of CLEAR Code of Conduct and Key Policies, e.g., recruitment, contract, induction, etc.
• Support the operational teams in implementing CLEAR Code of Conduct and Key Policies, e.g., accompanying project managers in their risk assessment activities, proposing risk reduction measures, etc.
• Develop and maintain a list of PSEAH contacts, including internal contacts (any relevant staff within the programs or at headquarters) and external contacts (PSEAH staff in other INGOs, local protection structures, etc.) including IASC PSEA network in Ukraine.
• Support the development of mitigating measures to prevention and ensuring the response to exploitation, violence, and abuse of any kind.
• Record and respond to violation of safeguarding incidents by reporting through appropriate channels and make referrals for response, including advocacy where appropriate.
• Assist the Coordinator to identify risks and gaps related to safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and provide timely advice on how these can be mitigated in accordance with appropriate policies and procedures.
• Support the Coordinator in the management of safeguarding risks across the CLEAR program and work closely with relevant departments and program teams on mitigating those risks.
• Work closely with CLEAR Protection Technical Advisor whenever protection risks are identified or reported, and ensure synergies between CLEAR’s protection response, reporting through established channels and reflection upon existing safeguarding framework and opportunities for its strengthening and further development.

Investigations:

• Assist the Coordinator and Program Director to create an official investigation committee with procedures and processes using lessons learnt from other country programs and existing CLEAR processes and policies.
• Work closely with MEAL and HR to determine criteria for where complaints are dealt with i.e., investigation committee, HR-led investigations and MEAL led investigations.
• Ensure close working relationship on investigation cases with HR and MEAL and that investigations are conducted appropriately including victim(s)/survivor(s) and alleged perpetrators support as per guidelines.
• Act as the assigned Oblast / target region Focal Person for internal investigations and, together with the Coordinator and Program Director, ensure compliance with the CLEAR investigation guidelines and provide guidance and advice to staff tasked with participating in internal investigations.
• Under the supervision of Coordinator, manage internal and external allegations and complaints with a potential to warrant internal investigation in line with policies and systems.
• Draw support from HQ-based Accountability Manager and Safeguarding Advisor as and where required to ensure compatibility with CLEAR processes and application of the principles of Global Communities Code of Conduct and key policies

Capacity Building:

• Assist the Coordinator with the development, application and management of capacity-building systems and tools for CLEAR and partner staff to ensure sound understanding of Global Communities accountability and safeguarding policies and mechanisms.
• In close cooperation with the Coordinator and HR, deliver safeguarding induction, including Global Communities key policies, particularly our Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, PSEA Policy, Child-Protection Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Complaint Response Mechanism, etc., and refresher training to CLEAR staff and ensure proper documentation.
• Under the direction of the Coordinator, provide guidance and capacity development support for the CLEAR local partners, service providers, external contractors and suppliers on safeguarding.
• Provide on-going mentoring and support to CLEAR and partner staff.
• Assist the Coordinator to develop the capacity of HR to ensure safe recruitment.
• Take part in development/update/review and effective usage of safeguarding checklist and training materials and tools for CLEAR.
• Facilitate regular opportunities to discuss concerns about practice within teams or with other colleagues to help develop a safe working environment and an open and supportive management culture.

 Safeguarding Procedures and Audits:

• Assist the Coordinator to monitor the overall implementation of the safeguarding policies and tools.
• Identify and utilize opportunities to integrate safeguarding approaches into all program and operational aspects.
• Support the Coordinator to ensure that the safeguarding mechanisms are in place and are subject to regular monitoring/review/update.
• Assist the Coordinator to ensure safeguarding concerns are reported effectively in line with the CFRM and Whistleblowing policies.
• As directed by the Coordinator, compile safeguarding cases, fill in Investigation logbook
• Treat and file all cases confidentially with respect to personal data protection
• Participate in internal and external audits as the CLEAR referral point for safeguarding.
• Participate in relevant internal and external meetings on safeguarding and SG platforms

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline
• Proven experience of working in similar role, preferably 2 – 4 years with USAID/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, UN, or another donor funded program in Ukraine.
• Experience with providing methodological support and capacity development to various teams.
• Experience in implementing safeguarding standards in programs and operations.
• Experience working in a large humanitarian response preferably a conflict and/or protracted conflict context.
• Experience in developing/working on policies and procedures (policies, SOPs is welcomed).
• Experience in conducting internal administrative investigations is an asset
• Knowledge of internationally recognized Ethical, Safeguarding, and PSEAH-related standards.
• Experience with working culturally diverse environment, capacity to respect and adapt to various cultures.
• Fluency in English (including technical terminology) and Ukrainian or Russian required.

Interested candidates are asked to send CVs and Cover letters to [email protected] by COB October 25, 2022 indicating position title in the subject line. 

Global Communities is committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all staff, representatives, partners, participants, and anyone with whom Global Communities interacts worldwide, especially children and adults at risk.