Senior Technical Specialist – Safeguarding

About the Role

The Senior Technical Specialist role sits within the technical team at SDDirect, a cutting edge and growing international social development organisation.

This is a senior-level role in one of the UK’s leading international consultancy and research organisations in the field of social development.

This post provides high-level expertise and leadership in the field of safeguarding, one of SDDirect’s core thematic areas of work, ensuring that the work of in-house staff and consultants is evidence-based and of a high quality, to support the continued growth of SDDirect in this technical area.

Summary of role
Reports to: Technical Director or Deputy Technical Director
Location: This is a UK based role. You must have eligibility to work in the UK. Our London Head Office works on a hybrid basis – we are open to flexible working.
Travel: Limited
Appointment term: Permanent
Remuneration Package: £47-£55,000 per annum (In line with experience)

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Support the development of SDDirect’s growing safeguarding portfolio and proactively identify new opportunities and clients.

· Support the development of SDDirect’s thinking on safeguarding and creating clear links to our work on GBV and inclusive public services.

· Provide strong technical skills and leadership to relevant SDDirect projects and team members to ensure implementation and delivery of safeguarding components within programmes.

· Directly work on various contracts in relation to safeguarding, including leading on safeguarding specific consultancies. This will entail developing client relationships, leadership of delivery teams and project management responsibilities.

· Contribute to providing safeguarding support to SDDirect’s other portfolios (gender-based violence prevention and response; governance and inclusive societies; and inclusive economic empowerment, inclusive education), as appropriate.

· Undertake international and national travel on consultancy and assignments as needed.

· Support the implementation of SDDirect’s policies on child protection, safeguarding and ethics, including pro-actively dealing with issues that may emerge in project and programme delivery.

Contribute to company marketing and promotional activities, including:

· Identifying and organising relevant opportunities and events to present our work

· Contributing to the marketing activities of the organisation

· Representing SDDirect and its work at meetings, conferences and events

Technical support

· Provide technical support to a range of consultancy and research assignments

· Support project/programme management and delivery, including coordination, client liaison, and, in some cases, leadership of small consultant/researcher teams

· Support relationship management with a variety of clients including government departments (e.g., FCDO and other UK government departments), international agencies, non-governmental organisations, foundations, and consultancy partners

· Undertake international and national travel on consultancy and research assignments as may be needed

· Support quality assurance processes to ensure the delivery of products and services to clients at a high standard of professionalism

· Support compliance with SDDirect project management requirements, client specifications and contractual obligations – including timely reporting, recording of consultant inputs, contract budget monitoring, and use of the SDDirect online project management systems.

Business growth

Support the growth of SDDirect’s portfolio of work through:

· Active assistance in identifying and scoping out new clients and business opportunities;

· Participation in the review and assessment of potential business development and bidding prospects;

· Providing the Business Development Team with technical input and content for relevant expressions of interest, bids, and research proposals to prospective clients.

Representation, networking, and learning

· Represent SDDirect and our work as needed at meetings and events

· Contribute to company profile, partnership-building, and knowledge-sharing through relevant networking activities

· Support the development of SDDirect’s body of knowledge and practice, strategic thinking, intellectual leadership, and planning, staying abreast of current thinking methodologies and good practice in the field

· Provide coordination and implementation support as needed to SDDirect learning, knowledge-sharing and dialogue activities (internal and external)

Qualifications

Essential

A university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. international development, economics, politics, political economy, human rights, public administration, public policy, sociology, gender studies, peace & conflict studies, etc.) or equivalent  Relevant experience (at least 7 years with some international/overseas experience) related to safeguarding in developing countries, working with multilateral, bilateral or non-governmental development organisations. Some of this experience can also come from related fields – such as gender-based violence work or child protection.  Strong understanding of safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion issues  Experience in implementing international development contracts on behalf of a multilateral, bilateral, foundation or NGO  Experience in case handling and investigations  Excellent written, verbal and presentational skills and an ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills  Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines  Demonstrated strategic thinking and rigorous analytical skills  A demonstrable commitment to human rights, gender equality and social justice  A strong team player with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills  Fluency in written and spoken English  Ability to travel internationally and to work legally in the UK *

Desirable

Relevant skills and experience working in one or more of the following thematic areas: – Inclusive economic development (including women’s economic empowerment) – Governance and inclusive services – Security, justice and peace-building – Gender-Based Violence  Bid-writing and proposal development experience for consultancy/research opportunities and tenders  Experience of working in a consultancy role or as an employee of a donor agency, development finance institution, international NGO, development research body or multilateral development organisation  Experience of working in the Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East/North Africa and/or South Asia  Good public speaking, networking and representational skills  Group and process facilitation skills  Fluency in other languages spoken in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East/North Africa and/or South Asia  People and event management skills/experience *

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