Accountability and Safeguarding Officer/Спеціаліст (-ка) з питань підзвітності та захисту

Global Communities is implementing the 18-month, Community-Led Emergency Action and Response (CLEAR) program with support from the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) to respond to humanitarian needs in Ukraine. The program is designed with the goal of saving lives, reducing suffering, and addressing needs while supporting communities to lead their own response. 

CLEAR will focus on 23 communities Chernivtsi and Chernihiv Oblasts, to be selected jointly with our local partners and based on a rapid needs assessment conducted during co-creation. However, the emphasis will be on communities outside of major city centers that are underserved by the international response. This marries a needs-based response with our unique ready access to more remote communities and existing relationships there for an efficient response. Activities are in line with priorities of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and the Ukrainian government, and all assistance will be aligned with relevant Cluster guidance and Sphere and other standards.  

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Director on Partnership, the Accountability and Safeguarding Officer (the Officer) supports the application and development of CLEAR’s policies, guidelines, procedures, standards, tools, and capacity-building modalities. He/she works closely with the Protection Advisor, MEAL Manager and HQ Accountability and Safeguarding Unit, and with relevant staff from across senior management, programs, and operations, especially the human resources department. 

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Accountability:  

• In close coordination with HQ-based Accountability Manager and Safeguarding Advisor, support the application of CLEAR’s Code of Conduct and Key Policies, guidelines, procedures, standards and tools. 
• Ensure CLEAR and partner staff and suppliers are adequately trained and apply accountability principles across their respective lines of work. 
• In coordination with the MEAL department, devise and implement appropriate monitoring tools to identify gaps in the application of the accountability systems and design tools and training modalities aimed to address these gaps. 
• Support MEAL in its application through providing advice and in supporting the investigation of serious cases.  

Safeguarding:

• Support the partner CSOs the implementation of safeguarding framework in compliance with international standards and norms, best practices, donor requirements, and CLEAR internal systems and procedures. 
• Assist the Deputy Program Director in implementing and monitoring the Safeguarding checklist. 
• Support the development of mitigating measures to prevention and ensuring the response to exploitation, violence, and abuse of any kind. 
• Assist the Deputy Program Director to identify risks and gaps related to safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and provide timely advice on how these can be mitigated in accordance with appropriate policies and procedures.  
• Support the Deputy Program Director in the management of safeguarding risks across the CLEAR program and work closely with relevant departments and program teams on mitigating those risks. 
• Work closely with CLEAR Protection Technical Advisor whenever protection risks are identified or reported, and ensure synergies between CLEAR’s protection response, reporting through established channels and reflection upon existing safeguarding framework and opportunities for its strengthening and further development. 

Investigations:

• Assist the Deputy Program Director in creating an official investigation committee with procedures and processes using lessons learned from other country programs and existing CLEAR processes and policies. 
• Ensure close working relationship on investigation cases with HR and MEAL and that investigations are conducted appropriately including victim(s)/survivor(s) and alleged perpetrators support as per guidelines. 
• Act as a Focal Person for internal investigations and, together with the Coordinator and Program Director, ensure compliance with the CLEAR investigation guidelines and provide guidance and advice to staff tasked with participating in internal investigations. 
• Under the supervision of Deputy Program Director, manage internal and external allegations and complaints with the potential to warrant internal investigation in line with policies and systems.  

Capacity Building:

• Assist the Deputy Program Director with the development, application and management of capacity-building systems and tools for CLEAR and partner staff to ensure sound understanding of Global Communities accountability and safeguarding policies and mechanisms. 
• Under the direction of the Deputy Program Director, provide guidance and capacity development support for the CLEAR local partners, service providers, external contractors and suppliers on safeguarding. 
• Provide on-going mentoring and support to CLEAR and partner staff. 
• Take part in development/update/review and effective usage of safeguarding checklist and training materials and tools for CLEAR.  

Safeguarding Procedures and Audits:

• Assist the Deputy Program Director to monitor the overall implementation of the safeguarding policies and tools. 
• Support the Deputy Program Director to ensure that the safeguarding mechanisms are in place and are subject to regular monitoring/review/update. 
• Treat and file all cases confidentially with respect to personal data protection. 
• Participate in relevant internal and external meetings on safeguarding and SG platforms. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline. 
• Proven experience of working in similar role, preferably 2 – 4 years with USAID/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, UN, or another donor funded program in Ukraine.  
• Experience in implementing safeguarding standards in programs and operations. 
• Experience working in a large humanitarian response preferably a conflict and/or protracted conflict context. 
• Experience in developing/working on policies and procedures (policies, SOPs is welcomed). 
• Experience in conducting internal administrative investigations is an asset 
• Knowledge of internationally recognized Ethical, Safeguarding, and PSEAH-related standards. 
• Experience with working culturally diverse environment, capacity to respect and adapt to various cultures. 
• Fluency in English (including technical terminology) and Ukrainian or Russian required.  

Interested candidates are asked to send CVs and Cover letters to [email protected] as soon as possible, indicating position title in the subject line. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.