Safeguarding Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Faith and Community Initiative (FCI) is a large, multi-country global health program implemented under a World Vision-led consortium, with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) leading implementation in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Liberia. FCI aims to support countries in building resilient, nationally owned health systems that sustainably deliver integrated health services, including HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health (MCH), and nutrition services. The initiative focuses on strengthening community and frontline health worker networks, ensuring that existing faith and community-based services are well-coordinated and integrated into government systems, and transitioning to national and sub-national systems. FCI emphasizes the importance of local ownership and the use of digital data and supply chains to strengthen health systems.

Job Overview:
The Safeguarding Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of safeguarding and accountability measures for the Faith and Community Initiative (FCI) in Nigeria. This position is integral to ensuring that FCI’s community-based health systems strengthening activities are conducted in a safe, respectful, and accountable manner. The officer will work within the CRS country office structure and collaborate with various teams, including project, MEAL, partner, and government-facing teams. The primary functions of this role include promoting safeguarding awareness, establishing safe reporting channels, tracking feedback and complaints, documenting safeguarding-related concerns, and ensuring timely referrals or follow-ups in accordance with CRS policies and procedures. The Safeguarding Officer will also contribute to building community trust, protecting vulnerable populations, and enhancing program quality and local ownership through effective engagement with community and frontline health worker networks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Safeguarding Prevention, Reporting and Response Support: Implement CRS safeguarding policies and procedures across FCI-supported activities, receive and document safeguarding concerns, maintain safeguarding records, and prepare safeguarding updates and reports.
• Feedback, Accountability and Community Reporting Mechanisms: Establish safe and accessible feedback channels for program participants and communities, ensure understanding of safeguarding concerns, maintain feedback logs, and review feedback trends for program improvement.
• Training, Awareness and Capacity Strengthening: Conduct safeguarding awareness sessions, adapt training materials, and maintain records of training activities.
• Compliance and Relationships: Collaborate with various teams to promote safe programming, review safeguarding practices, and contribute to reports summarizing safeguarding trends and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a working knowledge of safeguarding, accountability, feedback mechanisms, and community engagement in humanitarian or development programming. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and respect for survivor-centered principles. Strong interpersonal, communication, and documentation skills are essential, along with a proactive and organized approach to work.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in human resources, psychology, law, counseling, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of safeguarding and accountability in community health initiatives.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in safeguarding, accountability, protection, MEAL, community engagement, or related program support. Experience working with NGOs or humanitarian/development organizations is preferred, as it equips candidates with the necessary skills and understanding of the operational context.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this role. Additionally, fluency in Hausa, Pidgin, or other relevant local languages is considered an advantage, as it enhances communication with diverse community members and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. The role may require travel up to 25% to project locations and partner sites as needed. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan for U.S.-based staff. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.