Safeguarding Officer at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. Médecins Sans Frontières provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters, and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed, or political convictions.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safeguarding Officer 

Location: Awka, Anambra
Employment Type: Full-time

Main Purpose

• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and under the technical supervision of the Safeguarding Supervisor / SG Coordinator, the safeguarding officer supports the implementation of MSF’s Safeguarding framework and Behavioural Commitments at project level.
• The role contributes to abuse prevention and ethical conduct promotion through awareness activities, context analysis, identification of risks and barriers to reporting, and strengthening of safe and accessible feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• The safeguarding officer promotes a safe environment for staff, patients, partners, and communities in line with MSF values and principles.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Prevention & Awareness:

• Conduct awareness sessions for MSF staff (national, international), MoH staff and Suppliers on:
• MSF Behavioural Commitments Abuse prevention (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, harassment, discrimination, power abuse) Individual and institutional responsibilities.
• Reporting procedures and available complaint mechanisms
• Sensitize patients, caretakers, and community representatives on Their rights and expected behaviour when accessing MSF services. Expected behaviour of MSF and MoH staff How and where to raise concerns safely.

Context & Risk Analysis:

• Analyse existing sensitivities, knowledge gaps, cultural barriers, and fears related to feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Support safeguarding risk analysis at project level and contribute to mitigation planning. Identify obstacles preventing reporting and propose practical improvements.
• Map local NGOs or associations (where relevant) working on prevention of abuse or sexual harassment, in collaboration with Safeguarding Supervisor/ Safeguarding Coordinator.

Reporting & Complaint Mechanisms:

• Support the establishment and monitoring of safe, confidential, and accessible complaint channels. Raise awareness on how to receive a complaint in a sensitive and appropriate manner. Ensure staff know referral pathways without directly handling case management (unless formally mandated).
• Provide regular feedback to Safeguarding Coordinator on gaps or weaknesses in reporting systems.

Capacity Building:

• Facilitate workshops and participatory sessions adapted to project realities.
• Contribute to building a culture of respectful and accountable behaviour within the project.

Monitoring & Reporting:

• Conduct regular follow-up of safeguarding activities in the project. Produce monthly activity reports including Awareness sessions, conducted Key themes and concerns raised
• Identified risks and barriers Status of complaint mechanisms Recommendations for improvement.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with: Project Coordinator and Project Medical Referent, HR team, Community engagement teams, MoH counterparts (when relevant), Safeguarding Officer.

Skills and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Law, Education, Social Communication,Psychology, or related field (desirable).
• Experience: Minimum 1–2 years of experience in:
  • Social work, community engagement, safeguarding, or rights-based organizations
  • Abuse prevention or gender-based violence programming (asset)
  • Facilitating group discussions or awareness sessions
  • Humanitarian experience is an asset.
• Language: Proficiency in English and Igbo
  • Knowledge of local languages spoken by the population of the context is mandatory
• Competencies: Strong facilitation and communication skills.
  • Ability to manage sensitive topics confidentially.
  • Cultural sensitivity and high ethical standards
  • Ability to work independently and maintain neutrality.
  • Capacity to build trust with staff and communities.

Additional Requirements:

• Commitment to MSF values and principles.
• Ability to travel within the project area if required.
• Preferably experience working with women’s groups or vulnerable communities (where contextually relevant).

Application Closing Date
26th April, 2026.