Partner Safeguarding Sr. Officer

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a Development Organization is seeking qualified, experienced and highly motivated Partner Safeguarding Sr. Officer who you will oversee and coordinate the roll-out of the forthcoming partner safeguarding procedures and minimum standards to implementing partners at the CP level. Your service and community relations skills will ensure that the local partners draw the necessary knowledge and skills from the project that consistently applies best practices and continuously works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Position is based in Yaoundé.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Participate in a series of ToT (Training of Trainers) events on the partner safeguarding procedure/framework and minimum standards

• Act as a liaison between the CP and the Regional Partner Safeguarding Advisor on partner safeguarding

• Participate in relevant learning events and a regional partner safeguarding community of practice and share experiences and lessons learnt with other partner safeguarding staff

• Conduct a mapping of implementing partners and develop CP partner safeguarding annual workplan in collaboration with other relevant CP staff

• Organize orientation sessions for senior partner staff on the minimum standards and assessment process and tools

• Coordinate and conduct partner safeguarding assessments according to the procedures

• Coordinate with other relevant CP staff and departments (PCS, Finances, and MEAL) supporting the partner assessment process and collating their contributions

• Ensure partners submit improvements plans following the outcome of their assessment as per procedure

• Conduct partner follow-up visits within the required timeframe in collaboration with PCS/Grant & Compliance team.

• Coordinate all partner safeguarding capacity strengthening activities in line with the partner’s improvement plan. This includes:

a- Providing partners with relevant templates and tools

b- Organize and conduct online or face-to-face training to partners and technical accompaniment on relevant minimum standards (as per training materials and guidance provided by the Ethics Unit)

c- Coordinate technical support of other CP staff and departments (Safeguarding Focal Point, HR, MEAL) to partners

• In consultation with the Regional Partner Safeguarding Advisor, to contextualize and make necessary adaptations of partner safeguarding training materials and tools provided by the Ethics Unit

• Coordinate, conduct, and communicate the re-assessments of partners as per the Partner Safeguarding Procedure

• Ensure that documentation from the assessments, re-assessments and follow-up visits are safely stored in the office and relevant documents are uploaded onto Gateway

• • Be the first point of contact for partners in relation to the partner safeguarding procedures and provide partners with appropriate information and technical resources

• Be the first point of contact for CP staff in relation to the partner safeguarding procedures and other partner safeguarding requests and questions

• Write monthly progress reports on the roll-out of the partner safeguarding procedures and share with supervisor, SMT, partnership staff and regional partner safeguarding advisor

• Organize monthly meetings with key program, risk & compliance, operations, partnership staff, and any other relevant CP staff to provide updates on the status, progress, and challenges of rolling out partner safeguarding procedures at the CP level

• Ensure the coordination of all partner safeguarding activities with other CP staff involved in partner capacity building activities or assessments, including SRFMP and HOCAI

Qualifications and Experience:

· University degree in Social Work, Development, Project Management, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business or Public Administration, or other related discipline.

· Minimum of five years of experience in the humanitarian or development sector

· Minimum of three years of experience in designing and conducting trainings and/or implementing partnership capacity strengthening initiatives

· Experience of having worked directly with senior staff of implementing partners

· Previous experience in the field of protection or safeguarding

· Experience in conducting assessments (preferred)

· Promotes the integration of a survivor-centered approach in all areas of their work

· Contributes to safeguarding risk assessment and mitigation strategies in relation to areas of their work

· Promotes widespread awareness and where applicable, use of safeguarding reporting channels throughout their work

· Knowledge of industry safeguarding/sexual exploitation and abuse principles and standards

· Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation, and networking skills

Personal Skills

· Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment

· Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups

· Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

· Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

· Ability to travel and work in rural remote areas

· Ability to work under pressure and adapt to any change in project

· Ability to work as a team player in a challenging environment.

· Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point).

Required Travel: The staff will be required to travel within project zones to support implementing partners. S/He must be willing and able to travel up to 40% of their time.

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