Partner Safeguarding Advisor – Ukraine Response

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Background:

Conflict in Ukraine has forced thousands of people to flee to neighboring countries and deeper into Europe. CRS, in partnership with local Caritas organizations, has begun an emergency response to meet immediate needs of the affected populations. As a part of the Ukraine response, CRS will be supporting partner organizations in several outreach countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and potentially others to scale-up programs and operations in support of refugee populations.

Job Summary:

The Partner Safeguarding Advisor will be responsible for providing guidance, support, oversight, and capacity strengthening in safeguarding to partners involved in the Ukraine response. The position will play a key role in adapting and integrating CRS’ current approach to partner safeguarding within a multi-country, emergency context. The Partner Safeguarding Advisor will also support the roll-out of CRS’ updated approach to partner safeguarding, including monitoring partner compliance with the new system.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with partner organizations safeguarding focal points (where relevant) and senior management to understand existing positions and approaches to safeguarding in order to customize support according to their preferences and priorities.
• Support partners to roll out safeguarding procedures/minimum standards adapted to each organization across the Ukraine response, including assessment, action planning, and capacity strengthening activities.
• Adapt and contextualize existing training materials, tools and templates that can ensure implementing partners understand and practice safeguarding minimum standards.
• Conduct safeguarding trainings and workshops to implementing partners, and provide follow on accompaniment as needed.
• Provide technical solutions to implementing partners, remotely and on-site, for how to best apply safeguarding standards, best practices, and tools in the current emergency context.
• Provide ongoing coaching to implementing partner safeguarding counterparts, such as national or diocesan safeguarding focal points, so that they are equipped to strengthen safeguarding measures within their organizations.
• Monitor implementation of safeguarding minimum standards, advising on upgrades and supporting partners to achieve enhancements, when needed.
• Coordinate with peer/donor agencies, especially Catholic agencies, regarding safeguarding support to implementing partners in the Ukraine response, working to ensure complementarity of effort.
• Participate in CRS’ regional partner safeguarding community of practice.
• Coordinate when needed with relevant humanitarian coordination bodies such as the protection sector, and child protection and PSEA working groups.

Education and Experience:

Required Languages – English fluency essential; Fluency in one or more of the partners’ local languages (i.e. Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian), a plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 % in any one calendar year

Supervisory Responsibilities – None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional Partner Safeguarding Advisor, Ethics Unit, CRS’ Ukraine response team, relevant country programs

External: Caritas Europa safeguarding counterpart, humanitarian coordination bodies (i.e. protection cluster, child protection working groups, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Development, Project Management, Organizational Development, Psychology or Public Administration; Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred
• Minimum of three years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of two years relevant field-based experience in safeguarding or protection
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in safeguarding or protection. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals.
• Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

· Integrity

· Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Builds Relationships

· Develops Talent

· Strategic Mindset

· Accountability & Stewardship

*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

*Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.*

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer