Safeguarding Manager, Africa/Eurasia

HIAS

HIAS

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks an experienced Safeguarding Manager, Africa/Eurasia to support the implementation of its safeguarding policies and procedures in the region. Safeguarding at HIAS is our commitment to ensure that all our programs and operations are free from any form of exploitation, abuse or harm.

HIAS’ safeguarding framework includes the prevention of all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation and response to any incidents/allegations including physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse or exploitation of participants by staff members or associated personnel. HIAS’ safeguarding policies include Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Safeguarding of Children, Anti-Human Trafficking and portions of the HIAS Code of Conduct.

The Safeguarding Manager, Africa/Eurasia will report to the Director, Safeguarding and work in close coordination with the representative regional team and country teams in the region. The candidate will be responsible for ensuring the consistent implementation of HIAS’ safeguarding policies regionally. The candidate will collaborate and consult with country offices to develop, maintain and improve approaches to identify safeguarding risks, engage in prevention systems and processes and respond to safeguarding concerns in a survivor-centered manner.

This role is cross-functional and will work closely with programmatic, technical and operational staff in-country and regionally, as well as coordinate with HQ-based colleagues to ensure that safeguarding is mainstreamed in the region.

Note, this position is based in the Africa/Eurasia region in countries where HIAS has existing operations, except for Ukraine and Chad. The salary range for this position reflects the labor markets in countries of residence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

TRAINING & AWARENESS RAISING

  • Creates, adapts and delivers training content for in-person, virtual and asynchronous learning opportunities for country offices; topics will include safeguarding policies and implementation to increase staff and associated personnel’s knowledge and skills in preventing abuse, identifying concerns, reporting and safeguarding incident response and follow-up.
  • Identifies and trains safeguarding focal points in-country; facilitates Focal Point Community of Practice; maintains cross-regional connections between focal points; acts as a resource for focal points on all areas of safeguarding prevention and response.
  • Coordinates and collaborates with other functional areas to support their responsibilities for required safeguarding training, data collection and data storage including onboarding and annual training completion responsibilities for staff, associated personnel, volunteers and contractors/consultants.
  • Consults with country offices for effective training and awareness raising materials for partners, participants and host communities.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

PROCESSES & TOOLS

  • Designs tools for the implementation of safeguarding strategies and action plans in country offices.
  • Conducts safeguarding assessments and monitoring visits to evaluate the current state of safeguarding policy implementation in country offices and engage offices in any identified improvement efforts.
  • Collaborates with AAP colleagues to ensure safeguarding aspects are included in Complaints & Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs), and any safeguarding concerns identified as a part of the feedback process are addressed confidentially and escalated to the appropriate safeguarding reporting mechanisms.
  • Supports Human Resources teams to ensure safer recruitment practices are implemented consistently in the hiring of staff and contractors and recruitment of volunteers.
  • Collaborates with Strategy & Management colleagues to develop and use assessments that evaluate safeguarding effectiveness.
  • Consults with Communications teams to ensure safeguarding is accounted for in all internal and external communications processes.
  • Works with Global Safeguarding Team to revise and update safeguarding policies according to established review requirements.
  • Supports completion of external assessments, validations or certification processes when requested.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

PROGRAM SUPPORT

  • Works with teams throughout the region to ensure that safeguarding prevention and response measures are mainstreamed throughout programs and operations.
  • Works with program teams to ensure that safeguarding risks are identified and mitigation measures are incorporated in the lifecycle of programs, including the design, execution and revision of programs.
  • Assists and advises program colleagues to assess partners’ safeguarding capacity and work with partners to develop mutually acceptable capacity-building plans.
  • Supports country offices to create safeguarding action plans in alignment with regional or global strategies.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

DONOR ENGAGEMENT

  • Supports development of funding proposals; integrates safeguarding considerations as appropriate into proposal narratives and budget; working with country offices to identify safeguarding risks and document mitigation plans in alignment with donor requirements; completes necessary assessment documentation with country leadership, provides necessary policy documentation or supports development of country training plans as required.
  • Completes research and disseminates information to support better understanding of donor expectation and requirements.
  • Networks with donors and advocates for consistency in safeguarding practices, approaches or reporting as needed to advance safeguarding in the region.
  • Engages with donors on mandatory safeguarding reporting requirements; supports country offices to complete periodic updates.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPPORT TO LEADERSHIP

  • Serves as in-depth technical expert for safeguarding in region to support strategic decision making.
  • Proactively engages and maintains relationships with regional leadership to support a regional safeguarding culture and ensure alignment between HQ and region.
  • Supports Director, Safeguarding to provide updates, assessments and reports on the progress of safeguarding to global leadership.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

INCIDENT REPORTING & FOLLOW-UP

  • Acts as a reporting channel for safeguarding related incidents or concerns, and ensures incidents are appropriately documented in HIAS’ reporting platform for follow-up and investigation.
  • Supports country offices in understanding of reporting and investigations processes and protocols.
  • Engages in investigation-related activities as requested by Office of General Counsel or Director, Safeguarding.
  • Supports country offices in identifying and making provisions for survivors’ safety, security and well-being, including referrals to support services and ways to appropriate engages stakeholders using a survivor-centered approach.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

ENGAGEMENT

  • Participates in and represents HIAS at relevant sector groups and coordination mechanisms, sharing observations and recommendations to advance cross-sector learning, and reporting information back to HIAS as relevant.
  • Maintains knowledge of sector advances and best practices, attending learning events, reviewing research and reading publications as well as promising practices shared by other organizations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

  • Undergraduate degree in Gender, Social Sciences, International Relations or another related field required; graduate degree strongly preferred.
  • 4-6 years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities in international or cross-regional contexts.
  • Minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in PSEA/safeguarding, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child protection, human trafficking and/or protection mainstreaming in humanitarian response contexts.
  • French and English fluency are both required; working knowledge of Arabic preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of technical principles, concepts and international standards in Safeguarding/PSEA, GBV, child protection, anti-human trafficking and/or protection.
  • Travel, to include travel to insecure operating environments, may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or HireRight.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job 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. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures