Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Specialist at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Specialist

Location: Abuja

Overall purpose of the role

• This role has a Nigeria Country focus and ensures compliance to DRC’s Code of Conduct Reporting Mechanism (CoCRM) and Safeguarding procedures, guidelines, and requirements within the country.
• The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.
• The Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Specialist is responsible, on behalf of the Country Director, for nurturing and promoting a culture of code of conduct in collaboration with managers, staff, the Regional Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Coordinator as well as the Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Unit in HQ, for reviewing, planning, and implementing capacity building plans on strengthening functional COCRM and safeguarding practices in Nigeria Country office.
• It also includes the maintenance of the CoCRM, referring Survivors to appropriate services provider within or external to DRC, conducting investigations, and the coordination with other safeguarding stakeholders for the purpose of the dissemination of safeguarding (PSEAH) policies and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities
Complaint Registration:

• Setting complaint (RSM) tracks, managing complaint tracks (e.g. hotline, green line, e-mail, complaint boxes etc.) and receiving RSMs in person.
• Advising reporting persons on DRC’s CoCRM structure and procedures, available reporting opportunities and other.
• Registering RSMs in the Code of Conduct Tracking Tool and informing the Gate A+ (Region) or Gate B (HQ) Registrars of such registration. Updating the Code of Conduct Tracking Tool with available information.
• Supporting the Gate A+ (Region) or Gate B (HQ) Registrars for the purpose of providing feedback to the Reporting Persons.
• Coordinating with the Regional Registrar for COC.

Investigation lead and support:

• Conducting internal investigations as investigator under the monitoring of the relevant Regional or HQ authorizing officer (AO).
• Producing high quality reports on investigation (closure or investigation reports), and advisory reports on gaps, risks and issues identified during investigation.
• Monitoring of investigations on behalf of the ReSCO (Regional Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Office).
• Representing and participating in relevant working groups, clusters, or inter-agency PSEAH networks within the limits permitted by DRC’s applicable policies.
• Supporting investigators and authorizing officers in the frame of PSEAH investigations by mapping relevant and available services, approaching Survivors, identifying their needs (with the Survivors themselves) and referring them to the appropriate service provider within or outside DRC.
• The Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Specialist will, from time to time, support the investigator by interviewing the Survivor when/if appropriate.
• Conduct regular monitoring and spot checks of partner support functions to ensure  compliance to agreed standards

Collaboration with Nigeria Teams:

• Collaborating and coordinating with the relevant programme and MEAL teams to ensure that accountability towards the affected population is upheld at country level which includes the setting of relevant CFMs, identifying, flagging, and suggesting mitigation measures around SEAH risks that might arise.
• Collaborating with the relevant Registrars at country and regional levels to maintain an efficient connection between the CoCRM and the CFM in their regional area to register and fast-track PSEAH related cases
•  Advising the relevant management regarding the contracting with implementing partners regarding safeguarding and accountability requirements.
• Planning, delivering and supporting the dissemination of PSEAH trainings and CoCRM awareness sessions to staff, management, implementing partners’ Workforce and persons of concern (PoCs) in coordination with the ReSCO.
• Recording and tracking all CoCRM & PSEAH in-person training arranged in the Country Office.

Compliance:

• Work with the Risk and Compliance Specialist to update compliance and accountability improvement Plans.
• Support and evaluate areas of compliance risk while feeding into risk registers and recommend corrective actions.
• Work with operations department to ensure DRC policies and procedures are relevant, communicated, and implemented.
• Build capacity of the team, conduct and/or plan trainings on topics such as strengthening internal controls and fraud detection
• Support partners in developing/adapting support service policies and manuals.

Requirements
Experience and Technical Competencies: (include years of experience)

• At least three (3) years of directly related experience in safeguarding and Code of Conduct operations.
• Demonstrated experience with safeguarding and code of conduct operations or similar , influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization and within complex contexts.
• Demonstrate experience with conducting and/or monitoring internal investigations, including Fraud investigations.
• Demonstrate experience with developing and delivering successful training sessions, facilitating meetings.
• Demonstrated experience with Safeguarding and PSEA standards, including an ability to apply a survivor-centered approach in relating with survivors of Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and in handling SEA and SH allegations.
• Have good oral and written communication skills in English and in Hausa is mandatory.
• Commitment to upholding and modelling DRC’s values and Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrating integrity, diplomacy, professionalism, reliability, and resilience at all times.
• Able to always work professionally and with a high degree of confidentiality.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master's degree in relevant area.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in written and spoken Hausa and English.

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required.

Application Closing Date
27th May, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) on DRC website. Both must be in English.
• DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
• DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 
• However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria).