Safeguarding Officer

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.

We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

https://rwanda.savethechildren.net/

Employer: Save the Children
Location: Rwanda
Job Level: Level 3 – Child Safeguarding
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

The Safeguarding Officer will lead and champion child safeguarding across Save the Children offices in Rwanda. The role will support the integration of safeguarding into programmes and operations, strengthen safeguarding systems, build staff and partner capacity, support investigations and ensure compliance with safeguarding, safety, security and risk management standards.

The position reports to the Internal Control & Compliance Manager, with a dotted-line relationship to the Director of HR, Administration and IT.

Key Responsibilities

Child Safeguarding & Safe Programming

Identify safeguarding risks across programmes, workshops, events and field activities and support appropriate mitigation measures.
Advocate for strong safeguarding practices at national level.
Provide technical guidance and support to programme and emergency/humanitarian response teams.
Establish and strengthen country safeguarding networks.
Support mapping of child protection service providers and development of local safeguarding procedures.
Coach and support Field Safeguarding Focal Points.
Ensure programmes are designed, implemented and monitored through a safeguarding lens.
Support safeguarding risk assessments and ensure adequate safeguarding resources in project budgets.
Promote professional safeguarding behaviour and compliance with Save the Children policies and Code of Conduct.

Training & Capacity Building

Deliver mandatory safeguarding training, inductions and refresher sessions.
Develop and implement safeguarding capacity-building plans for staff and partners.
Build the capacity of safeguarding focal points in training, reporting and investigations.
Strengthen systems for receiving, recording and responding to safeguarding concerns.
Identify knowledge gaps and develop appropriate training materials.

Safeguarding Compliance & Investigations

Monitor implementation of safeguarding policies across the country programme.
Conduct reviews of safeguarding policy implementation and follow up on compliance actions.
Ensure safeguarding reporting mechanisms are established, accessible and regularly reviewed.
Ensure staff, partners, contractors, suppliers, visitors and children understand reporting procedures.
Support safe, effective and timely follow-up of safeguarding concerns.
Document and analyse safeguarding cases to support organisational learning.
Undertake safeguarding investigations where appropriate and in line with required standards.
Work with MEAL and other teams to integrate safeguarding into accountability systems.

Safety & Security

Assess threats, risks and vulnerabilities and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
Conduct safety and security assessments of programme and potential programme areas.
Support development and maintenance of the Security Management Plan.
Provide safety and security training and orientation to staff and visitors.
Ensure staff understand incident reporting procedures.
Maintain effective communication systems and emergency communication trees.
Support crisis and emergency response, including evacuations.
Liaise with administration and logistics teams on vehicle movement and facility safety.
Investigate and follow up security incidents.
Support preparation and management of the country office security budget.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

Undergraduate degree in Gender, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Governance, Law, Social Work or a related field.
Knowledge and/or experience in child safeguarding, child protection, gender, PSEA or SGBV.
Experience working with an INGO or similar organisation serving vulnerable communities and children.
Experience managing and undertaking complex child protection, safeguarding and/or disciplinary investigations.
Experience planning and delivering child protection/safeguarding training and workshops.
Excellent verbal communication and report-writing skills in English and Kinyarwanda.
Excellent presentation skills.
Demonstrable commitment to children's rights.
Ability to provide long-distance support and build effective professional networks.
Experience in safety and security practices.
Proven ability to conduct security risk assessments.
Ability to manage a high workload and meet tight deadlines.
At least 2 years of relevant experience in safeguarding and safety/security management.
Understanding of response management, safety, security, fraud management and communications.
Excellent communication skills with diverse audiences.
Strong organisational, prioritisation and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

Professional expertise or additional learning in child care/protection.
Experience working in hostile or challenging environments.
Experience travelling for work in challenging environments.
Commitment to Save the Children values.
Knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors.

Competencies & Behaviours

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

Leadership & Inspiration – ability to influence, motivate and support others.
Innovation & Adaptability – ability to adapt to changing priorities and improve systems.
Technical & Professional Expertise – strong safeguarding, risk and security knowledge.
Communication with Impact – ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively.
Networking – ability to build trusted relationships and partnerships.
SCI Values – Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities

Save the Children is committed to keeping children safe. The selection process includes rigorous background checks to protect children from abuse and ensure compliance with safeguarding standards.

The role holder must comply with Save the Children Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Security and Code of Conduct policies.

Anti-Fraud & Recruitment Notice

Save the Children maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward fraud, corruption and unethical behaviour. The organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, offer or onboarding. Any request for payment should be reported immediately.

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Save the Children career portal:

https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/jobs/preview/17836/?lastSelectedFacet=LOCATIONS&selectedLocationsFacet=300000000345403