Safeguarding Coordinator at Kenya Red Cross Society

Overall Purpose

The Position is based at the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS’) Headquarters. The position holder is responsible for development, implementation and coordination and monitoring of KRCS’ safeguarding initiatives both at institutional level and program implementation levels. This will include promoting safe programming in emergencies and regular programming, enhancing safe partnerships, training, risk management and compliance monitoring and reporting and supporting the mainstreaming of safeguarding throughout operations.

This role contributes to the realization of the organizational objective of proactively promoting the wellbeing, health and resilience of our staff, volunteers and members as well as the communities we work with.

Scope of the role

• This role covers PSEA and child protection in all our contexts (all KRCS offices or wherever KRCS employees work and within all programming, including humanitarian).

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead in fostering a culture of safeguarding, PSEAH, inclusion and promotion of diversity at KRCS ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• . Establish an annual safeguarding plan for the society and monitor progress against the plan.
• Collaborate with and provide advice to key teams and/or departments within the Society office to promote fulfilment of the safeguarding risk analysis, including risk identification and management strategies of the society processes, procedures and activities, and appropriate mitigating actions are developed.
• Partner with the MEAL department, program teams, and other areas to ensure the operation of safeguarding complaints mechanism and awareness-raising in communities where the society operates, around community reporting mechanisms
• Provide direction and guidance to management, staff and volunteers, ensuring they clearly understand and meet their roles and responsibilities for efficient and collaborative work towards achieving safeguarding goals.
• Strategically advocate for safeguarding, highlighting its value and impact, and securing continued support from stakeholders.
• Oversee implementation of institutionalization of safeguarding initiatives through monitoring progress against the work plan, identify and address challenges, to make adjustments as needed.
• Maintaining regular communication with stakeholders, including senior management, partners, and staff, volunteers and members, keeping them informed of safeguarding progress, challenges, and key decisions.
• Contribute to policy development by providing insights and expertise to inform policy changes that would support the KRCS’ safeguarding goals.
• Stay informed of relevant trends and best practices through continuously learning and apply new knowledge to improve safeguarding initiatives at KRCS.
• Provide guidance to staff, volunteers members and other stakeholders and trainers in the roll out of education programmes and support safeguarding focal persons in the development of awareness raising, sensitization, communication and training resources.
• With respect to safeguarding investigations, coordinate case management, and support fact-gathering as needed.
• Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues, concerns, or experiences and foster an environment where all potential safeguarding misconducts are reported as per KRCS Safeguarding Policy.
• Be the Safeguarding Focal person for the society and get involved in partnership network meetings and humanitarian setting by way of attendance and participation.
• Champion safeguarding policies and accompanying policy guidance support materials, including strong advocacy for safeguarding across all levels of business to promote a culture of safeguarding.
• Provide quality and accessible advice, support, and guidance to Staff, Volunteers, members and other stakeholders ensuring that adequate safeguarding measures are integrated into office operations, processes, and programs as outlined by KRCS Safeguarding Standards and other core documents
• Participate, when needed, in key program design meetings and kick-off workshops to facilitate the inclusion of risks, planning, and strategy in relation to safeguarding.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure on-boarding is completed and safer recruitment adhered to.

Desired Competencies

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity and Decision making.
• Strategic Planning and Prioritization
• Excellent Communication skills
• Interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Programme management skills.
• Stakeholder Management.
• Basic skills and knowledge on psychosocial support
• Team work

Education and Experience

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree level of education in relevant field
• 3-5 years of safeguarding experience or experience in a similar field such as protection, child protection, SGBV - preferably in a humanitarian organization. Experience in partnering with government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in safeguarding and humanitarian space.
• Demonstrated understanding of inclusive practices and promotion of diversity
• Experience dealing with sensitive matters - highly confidential and discrete – and ability to build/maintain trust.
• Experienced trainer, facilitator, and mediator
• Experienced in change management and project management skills
• Must have a high level of resilience with the ability to be impartial and remain calm under difficult circumstances
• Must be able to demonstrate impartiality in all situations.
• Must have excellent problem–solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• 1+ years of safeguarding investigation experience is an added advantage