Safeguarding Manager at Shining Hope For Communities

• The Safeguarding Manager shall oversee implementation of the safeguarding policies and guidelines, including the Child Protection (CP) Policy, DEI Policy, and the Code of Conduct (CoC), with the aim of creating a working environment free from abuse of children or vulnerable adults perpetrated by SHOFCO or its representatives.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Raising awareness about SHOCO’s zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse by working with People & Culture to conduct briefings and inductions for new hires, and training staff, volunteers, and partners on SHOFCO’s Safeguarding Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), Code of Conduct, and Anti-harassment, Bullying, and Intimidation policies

Provide safeguarding leadership and direction for SHOFCO through:

• Developing and updating the safeguarding strategy and driving operational implementation
• Interpreting and applying operational and specialist information from a variety of sources related to safeguarding

Responsibilities

Role:

• Raising awareness about SHOCO’s zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse by working with People & Culture to conduct briefings and inductions for new hires, and training staff, volunteers, and partners on SHOFCO’s Safeguarding Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), Code of Conduct, and Anti-harassment, Bullying, and Intimidation policies
• Provide safeguarding leadership and direction for SHOFCO through:
• Developing and updating the safeguarding strategy and driving operational implementation
• Interpreting and applying operational and specialist information from a variety of sources related to safeguarding

Responsibilities

Prevention

• Design and deliver effective strategies, projects, tools, and training for countering all abuses across SHOFCO;
• Improve the effectiveness of prevention, detection, mitigation, and response, including investigations, in the organization, working through Focal Points, People and Culture teams, etc.
• Support People & Culture to include best practices in safeguarding during recruitment, staff management, and People & Culture strategy;
• Support in the training of staff on the policies and in awareness raising;
• Ensure C-Team and SMTs are informed about their legal responsibilities;
• Support People & Culture in the follow-up and review of staff who have more contact with children and/or vulnerable adults, and staff who are in positions of power
• Ensure community resource persons (such as CHVs, elected community representatives, etc.) are also trained on safeguarding matters and their responsibilities in ensuring that they are accountable to their communities.

Safe environment to raise and discuss concerns

• Foster a working environment that is non-threatening, safe, and actively addressing safeguarding in its processes;
• Provide guidance and direction where there are concerns about children and adults who may be at risk;
• Provide advice and guidance on allegations, taking into consideration the potential risks to the personal safety of those involved
• Spearhead the development of appropriate innovative approaches to countering and addressing barriers to reporting;
• Communicate about experiences and lessons learned internally and externally on safeguarding;
• Support beneficiary accountability systems and advise on adapting these to improve access for vulnerable populations, including women and children;
• Provide advice to the SMT and People & Culture on the employment or redeployment of staff with convictions or unresolved concerns regarding harm to a child or adult;
• In liaison with the legal counsel, ensure that appropriate records are maintained on accidents and harm, suitable for admission in legal proceedings.

Response to concerns

• Support the investigation team to carry out high-quality, lawful investigations at SHOFCO sites, ensure appropriate reporting to relevant authorities and ensure contractual reporting to donors;
• Build trust across the organizations so that stakeholders (including survivors) feel empowered to report concerns;
• Ensure safeguarding risks are appropriately captured in SHOFCO’s risk management system;
• Ensure there is support and advice for those who are victims or survivors of abuse;
• Support individuals when a referral to local authority is necessary;
• Advise when an independent risk assessment or investigation should be sought;
• Work with colleagues to incorporate best practices into risk and control activities;
• Contribute to the objectives of the wider Ethics and Compliance functions.
• Work with Finance to design social enterprise budgets and perform analysis of the initiatives on key performance indicators.
• Prepare and submit monthly and other any other required progress reports as prescribed and in a timely manner.
• Maintain good public relations and promote visibility on the work of SHOFCO.
• Support the Program team in the development of concept notes.
• Represent SHOFCO at designated internal/external meetings and liaise on a regular and ongoing basis with commercial partners.
• Extend support to other SHOFCO programs as required.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes/Skills)

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum of Degree in Gender, Child Protection, Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, International Development, International Relations, Law, Public Administration, Public Policy, Advocacy, or related degree
• Masters in any related field is an added advantage.
• Certified training in Safeguarding & Gender Inclusion is desired.

Other required qualifications (unique/job specific)

• 5 years working experience in Safeguarding at the Management level.
• Extensive experience in safeguarding or protection roles
• In-depth knowledge of current child protection policies, practices, and legislation, including the Children Act, 2022 (Kenya), the provisions of the Constitution of Kenya and other laws pertaining to children’s rights and sexual harassment, as well as international protocols such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Confidence and assertiveness to challenge more experienced and senior colleagues when necessary
• Excellent communication and listening skills in English, with a proven ability to write and edit reports, briefing documents, and monitoring reports
• Attention to detail and the ability to manage large amounts of data and information
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate tactfully and sensitively with a wide range of people in a large organization
• Experience in designing and delivering training or workshops to diverse stakeholders
• The ability to manage stress and remain flexible in challenging working conditions
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to implement continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to critically evaluate written material such as reports and policies
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to meet regular deadlines.
• Excellent self-awareness and understanding of the need for self-care, personal strength and resources to face possible hostilities related to its tasks.