- Organization: IFRC – International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- Location: Kabul
- Grade: Junior level – National Staff – Junior Level
- Occupational Groups:
- Protection Officer (Refugee)
- Safeguarding and Accountability
- Closing Date: 2023-02-07
Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
IFRC has had a consistent presence in Afghanistan since 1990 to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in its organizational development, auxiliary role and outreach, humanitarian diplomacy, partnership development, humanitarian response operations, and longer-term programming. A core part of IFRC’s mission is to coordinate and support the work of member National Societies, driving the transformations that are essential for the IFRC network to fulfil full potential as a global humanitarian actor – engaged, accountable and trusted – and to deliver on an agreed agenda. The IFRC Secretariat as well as engages with the ICRC on Movement Coordination and Cooperation in line with an existing Movement Cooperation Agreement. In addition to the ICRC and the IFRC Secretariat, other Movement partners with presence in Afghanistan are Canadian Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Qatar Red Crescent Society and Turkish Red Crescent.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Manager for Compliance, Risk Management & Safeguarding – and operating under the technical guidance of the Head of Safeguarding – the Safeguarding Officer will focus primarily on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and misconduct related to child safeguarding. The role will prioritize community engagement and support and will entail working closely with Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) colleagues to support and expand the availability of and access to SEA-inclusive complaint mechanisms and effective referral pathways for victims/survivors, liaising with other units – such as protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) and Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) – to develop and deliver safeguarding communication strategies, tools and guidance for affected people, and personnel of the IFRC network. Also includes the development and delivery of safeguarding training to personnel of the IFRC network and implementing partners as well as providing strategic support to the ARCS to enhance knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and support the establishment and/or strengthen safeguarding systems within the National Society.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Assess and confirm current availability, reach, inclusivity, and effectiveness of communications with affected populations served by IFRC-supported operations and programmes, specifically vulnerable cohorts – including children and widows – regarding PSEAH and child safeguarding.
- Map and confirm availability and accessibility of SEA inclusive complaint mechanisms in sites of IFRC-supported operations and programmes.
- Map and confirm availability and accessibility of standard victim/survivor support and referral pathways including medical/psychosocial/places of safety, legal and livelihood in sites of IFRC-supported operations and programmes as well as identify and confirm whether these are common to IASC and Protection Cluster (GBV/Child Protection Area of Responsibility) or are stand-alone.
- Develop a safeguarding strategy and workplan to address identified gaps as well as build upon opportunities identified in the mapping exercise and available PSEA Network initiatives, capacities and lessons learned.
- Develop a capacity building and initial training plan for personnel of the IFRC network in Afghanistan with a particular focus on initiatives facing affected populations to support increased understanding and socialization of the role and responsibilities of the Red Cross Red Crescent as well as in protecting recipient communities from SEA and child safeguarding breaches.
- Promote and socialize the importance of community engagement and inclusion in the development of feedback and complaint mechanisms to support the building of trust and effective take up of feedback and complaint mechanisms related to SEA in IFRC-supported operations and programmes.
- Support development and capacitation of the IFRC network safeguarding focal points within high-risk areas covered by IFRC-supported operations and programmes.
- Coordinate safeguarding training, knowledge and understanding with IFRC network PGI and CEA focal points to support an integrated approach to safeguarding and to assure common understanding and accountability amongst all personnel.
- Develop training of trainer modules for safeguarding focal points within the IFRC network to enable them to train other staff and implementing partners within their operational contexts
- Act, and train other IFRC network safeguarding focal points to act as victim assistance focal point(s) within their operating contexts to provide support to affected individuals during and beyond an investigation as required
- Raise awareness on safeguarding through training and outreach, including developing / organizing webinars and on key aspects of safeguarding, and supporting development of relevant materials targeting personnel, partners and communities.
Education
Required
- University degree or equivalent qualifying experience relevant to safeguarding
- Certified training in safeguarding, protection, or gender
Preferred
- Post-graduate qualification in an area suitable to safeguarding
Experience
Required
- At least 5 years prior experience within Afghanistan in an area relevant to safeguarding, including gender, accountability to affected populations, community organization/facilitation, social work, international humanitarian aid and/or development
- Experience in PSEA, protection, gender and/or inclusion as part of design and/or delivery of humanitarian programmes
- Working with adults and children in vulnerable situations
- Working with partner organizations
Preferred
- A good understanding of both development and humanitarian issues
- Experience producing reports and other documentation for a range of audiences
- Experience coordinating complex projects with multiple stakeholders
- Experience in the developing and implementing learning processes
- Willingness to work out of office hours, during emergencies, when necessary
- Ensures inclusive practice and promotes diversity
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
- Up-to-date knowledge of good practices in safeguarding/PSEA, protection, accountability to affected populations and/or gender issues
- Building and maintaining partnerships and relationships
- Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders to influence practice
- Skills in active listening, empathy, communications, and influencing
- Training and coaching skills
- Attention to detail
- Self-supporting in computers and internet-based tools
- Knowledge of the Red Cross and Red Crescent International Movement
Language
- Fluently spoken and written English
- Knowledge of Dari and Pashto
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization’s page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.