Safeguarding Officer VSO Sierra Leone

Safeguarding Officer VSO Sierra Leone

Role overview:

The postholder will provide technical guidance and operational programme support to project team, management and partners to ensure compliance with the VSO safeguarding framework, donor expectations and the VSO volunteering for development approach. You will provide technical guidance and operational programme support to the project team, management and partners to ensure compliance with the VSO safeguarding framework, donor expectations and the VSO volunteering for development approach. You will support the project team to implement, monitor and review the safeguarding plans and processes, working with the global safeguarding team to provide first-line support in case of safeguarding incidents and build understanding and capacity for safeguarding with partners, CSOs and networks.

The ideal candidate has demonstrable experience working with safeguarding, child protection and PSEA and a proven track record of safeguarding risk management in project delivery, safeguarding incident management and skills to develop, manage and maintain efficient systems. You are a self-motivated, proactive person with excellent facilitation and communication skills and you have experience delivering safeguarding training and ongoing capacity building.

We offer a range of benefits, including:
• Opportunities for flexible working and working from home
• Generous annual leave of 37 days (inclusive of public holidays)
• Employee and Volunteer Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for professional development, including a range o f online self-study modules, coaching and workshops

VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

Task responsibilities:

Operational

With the project team develop the VSO Project Safeguarding Risk Assessment and safeguarding plan providing technical guidance and contextual safeguarding advice
Support the project team to implement, monitor and review the safeguarding plan: monthly or as required
Ensure safe and accessible reporting mechanisms are in place in all programme delivery areas.
Ensure VSO Country Context Analysis up to date and comprehensive

Develop agreements with key local service providers working in the programme area that can support safeguarding work
Support project team to complete the VSO Partnership Safeguarding Assessment for all project partners and where required develop an action plan that supports partners to meet VSO minimum safeguarding standards

Incident Management Response

Sensitively receive complaints and ensure timely escalation and management in line with the VSO Incident Management Framework.
Work with the global safeguarding team to acknowledge complaints and to provide or facilitate first-line support to complainants and survivors throughout the process

Where appropriate in partnership with the Global Safeguarding Team to facilitate safeguarding investigations
Where appropriate and safe to do so engage with existing local and national organisations/networks on case management

Training and Capacity building

Develop and deliver project specific safeguarding training to volunteers, including community volunteers, and project teams
Develop and deliver a partnership induction that supports partners to understand and meet the VSO minimum safeguarding standards, reporting requirements and incident management framework

Where necessary provide on-going support and capacity building to all project partners in line with the agreed Partnership Safeguarding Assessment Action Plan

Safer communications

Provide technical guidance and advice to support the process of informed consent and risk assessment in photographing and interviewing primary actors for the purpose of VSO communication activities