Safeguarding & PSEA Officer at Finpact Development Foundation (FINDEF) - Abuja, Sokoto and Zamfara

Finpact Development Foundation (FINDEF) is an indigenous non-governmental organization. Our focus is on delivering lasting value through the work we do, making us trusted advisors to all our partners. We are actively involved in the food security, livelihood and education projects, as well as government-led NGO coordination committee platform. Our local presence, capacity, experience, relationships, understanding of local culture and context are all major factors that enable us deliver humanitarian response. We are guided by humanitarian principles and our working philosophy with partners includes commitment to transparency, accountability, shared goals, honesty and trust. We keep a fast paced environment where self-motivated and independent Individuals who are looking to constantly develop themselves thrive well. We pride ourselves in working at hard to reach communities while maintaining keen focus on culture and management structures that support excellent interaction with partners and stakeholders.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safeguarding & PSEA Officer

Locations: Abuja, Sokoto and Zamfara
Reports to: Project Director

Job Summary

• The overall aim of this role is to support FINDEF’s operations in promoting and building a ‘Safe Organization’ and maintaining zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) of beneficiaries through awareness raising and beneficiary sensitization focusing on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) by staff and representatives as well as facilitating confidential reporting of safeguarding and PSEA concerns/incidents through appropriate channels.
• The role will collaborate closely with other technical areas (especially HR, Gender, Protection and MEAL) to help ensure our safeguarding practice in the communities we work in is robust and will involve supporting a ‘lessons learnt’ process.

Specific Responsibilities
Safeguarding:

• Identify and address training needs of staff and stakeholders in humanitarian response in relation to keeping children safe and protecting adults at risk.
• Coordinate safeguarding capacity building and mobilise project staff, partners, volunteers and other stakeholders to undergo annual training in Safeguarding and PSEA through formal and informal refresher sessions, discussion of case studies, quizzes etc.
• Develop and prepare materials for all Safeguarding related trainings.
• Assist in facilitation of safeguarding induction for newly recruited staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, stakeholders, and partners.
• Coordinate with the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) unit and ensure the compliance of indicators of safe programming.
• Develop safeguarding messages for various groups of stakeholders and facilitate publication.
• Conduct safeguarding proposal risk assessment, design mitigation plan and develop financial activity plan.
• Compile and develop monthly safeguarding training data/activity report with coordination of focal points and forward to the Country Office.
• Reviewing of proposals with a child safeguarding view to ensure safe program is implemented.
• Provide technical guidance on safeguarding to partners, volunteers, and other key stakeholders including consultants.
• Conduct supervision and monitoring visits to field locations as required.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA):

• Conduct periodic assessments of FINDEF’s PSEA policy and suggest improvements to PMU.
• Conduct training and awareness-raising sessions on PSEA for all personnel on a regular basis.
• Work with human resources and other relevant personnel (Gender, Protection, MEAL) on PSEA-related aspects, including ensuring that all personnel sign the code of conduct and that screening for past SEA violations is a regular part of the recruitment process.
• Facilitate awareness-raising campaigns with beneficiaries and local communities on the definition of SEA, the standards of conduct expected of FINDEF staff, and the various mechanisms for raising SEA allegations or concerns, including contact details.
• Manage the development of internal procedures for personnel to report incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse safely and confidentiality.
• Receive reports of SEA allegations and related information and coordinate the response according to relevant procedures.
• Report concerns or issues with PSEA implementation to senior management
• Once a complaint is received, coordinate FINDEF’s response including referral of SEA survivors for immediate, professional assistance and referral of the case for further investigations.

Other responsibilities:

• Coordinate FINDEF’s PSEA activities with relevant organizations including inter-agency initiatives, as appropriate.
• Support senior management in implementing other PSEA-related activities, as appropriate.
• Establish and enforce a whistle-blower mechanism – to empower, encourage and protect staff who report cases of sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Inform staff members and beneficiaries on a regular basis on how to file a complaint/ report and the procedures for handling protection issues.
• Disseminate no excuse cards/messaging on PSEA, rights of beneficiaries and avenues for reporting at various community entry and intervention activities and platforms.
• Conduct mapping and assessment of existing Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) to ensure they are SEA friendly.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Communications, Law, Education or relevant professional qualification with at least 5 years’ technical experience on emergency programming in Northeast/Northwest Nigeria.
• A strong understanding of Safeguarding, PSEA, gender and protection programming.
• Knowledge of international standards for Safeguarding, PSEA and GBV.
• Experience with design, implementation, and monitoring of humanitarian programming.
• A strong ability to apply creative and out of the box thinking to generate lasting change.
• Proven communication skills and abilities to manage relations with a diversity of stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Acceptable IT Skills
• Proven integrity, objectivity, and professional competence.
• Fluency in English. Fluency in Fulfude and Hausa is an added advantage.

Required:

• FINDEF has zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, at all times (both during work hours and outside work hours).
• Familiarization with, and adherence to FINDEF’s Code of Conduct is an essential requirement for all staff, in addition to related mandatory training.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel to villages and stay in the field where network coverage may be limited.
• Professional, motivated, open, creative, mature, responsible, flexible and, culturally sensitive.
• Proficient in statistical and other software (Microsoft office; excel, word and PowerPoint).

Application Closing Date
20th April, 2023.