Фахівець\чиня із захисту партнерських відносин

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program / Department / Team summary

Mercy Corps’ Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of people affected by the war in Ukraine. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, Mercy Corps has supported more than 750,000 conflict-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We have provided cash assistance, food and hygiene kits, and psychosocial support for people in emergency situations; grants for micro, small and medium businesses, as well as small to medium farming enterprises; and conducted large-scale information campaigns. Notably, nearly all our programming is delivered in partnership with Ukrainian, Polish, and Moldovan civil society organizations matching humanitarian action with capacity strengthening and a real commitment to localization. The humanitarian portfolio addresses the needs of conflict-affected people in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine through multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), in-kind food and non-food assistance, and protection and psychosocial support. 

General Position Summary 

Mercy Corps is seeking a dynamic and experienced Partnership Safeguarding Officer to support our local partners in Ukraine in strengthening their safeguarding capacities. This role is pivotal in ensuring the effective implementation of Mercy Corps’ Safe Partnership Standards and safeguarding guidelines. In close coordination with the Program and Partnerships Teams, the Partnership Safeguarding Officer will work closely with local partners to identify and address their safeguarding needs, ensuring that safeguarding measures are integrated into all aspects of their work. This involves conducting risk assessments, providing training, monitoring compliance, and developing mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of all program participants and community members. The role requires a proactive and collaborative approach to foster a culture of safeguarding within partner organizations and across Mercy Corps’ operations in Ukraine.

Essential responsibilities

Safeguarding Capacity Strengthening

• Collaborate with local partners to understand their safeguarding needs and capacities, conducting thorough assessments to identify gaps and strengths.
• Provide feedback to Safeguarding Coordinator on needs identified from partners.
• Within the broader capacity strengthening plans, develop and implement joint safeguarding capacity strengthening activities with partners, tailored to their specific needs and contexts
• Provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to partners on Mercy Corps’ safeguarding policies and standards, including child safeguarding, anti-human trafficking, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Design and deliver workshops, training sessions, and resource materials that enhance partners’ understanding and implementation of safeguarding practices.
• Foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement, encouraging partners to adopt best practices and innovate in their safeguarding approaches.
• Offer hands-on assistance in developing and revising partners’ safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring they are robust and compliant with Mercy Corps’ standards.
• Build strong relationships with partners, promoting a culture of open communication and mutual respect to effectively address safeguarding challenges and solutions.

Assessment and Monitoring

• Assist in conducting safeguarding joint assessments for partners using Mercy Corps’ Joint Assessment and Monitoring (JAM) tool.
• Evaluate partners’ safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
• Regularly monitor and review partners’ safeguarding practices to ensure compliance with agreed standards and mitigation measures.

 Risk Assessment and Mitigation

• Conduct safeguarding risk assessments for all new and existing partners.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation measures in collaboration with partners.
• Ensure that all partners adhere to Mercy Corps’ safeguarding policies, including, PSEA, child safeguarding and anti-human trafficking standards.

 Reporting and Compliance

• Ensure that safeguarding clauses and obligations are included in all subaward agreements.
• Monitor partners’ compliance with reporting obligations, ensuring that all known safeguarding violations are reported through the Integrity Hotline.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all safeguarding assessments, plans, and mitigation measures.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Work closely with the Country Safeguarding Coordinator to align partner support with overall safeguarding strategies.
• Coordinate with Program, Partnerships and Subaward teams to ensure partners safeguarding considerations are integrated into program design, implementation and capacity strengthening activities.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between Mercy Corps and its partners on safeguarding issues.

Supervisory responsibility

Reports Directly To: The Country Safegaurding Coordinator
Works Directly With: Country Safeguarding Coordinator, Program, Partnerships Subaward Teams, Local Partners, Mercy Corps Ukraine Response Leadership, Regional Safeguarding Advisor

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum qualification & transferable skills

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling Mercy Corps values.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, international development, human rights, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 1-3 years of experience in safeguarding, protection, or child protection roles, preferably within the humanitarian or development sector.
• Proven experience in capacity building and training, particularly with local partners and organizations.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding standards, policies, and practices, including those related to PSEA, child Safeguarding and anti-trafficking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English required, additional languages an asset.
• Ability to travel within Ukraine as needed.

Success factors

The successful Partnership Safeguarding Officer will demonstrate a strong commitment to Mercy Corps’ mission and values, possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and have proven experience in capacity building and training. They will excel in communication and interpersonal skills, maintaining high integrity and professional accountability while handling sensitive information with discretion. The officer must work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and adaptability, with fluency in Ukrainian and English. A proactive approach to risk management and the ability to build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders are essential.

Ongoing learning

Ongoing learning in support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.  

People with disabilities and veteran status are welcome to apply.  

Please, apply: Partnerships Safeguarding Officer | Mercy Corps Ukraine (ultipro.com)