REGIONAL SAFEGUARDING LEAD

As part of its preparation for an upcoming multi-country program, FC Africa is establishing a lean and high-impact regional team to provide strategic oversight, technical leadership, and results management across target countries. The team will comprise key cross-functional roles including a Regional MERL Lead (with Programme Coordination for Results and Learning), Climate and Green Economy Enterprise Support Lead, Safeguarding Lead, Gender Inclusion Lead, and MERL Analyst.

ABOUT FC Africa

FC Africa is a leading economic development consulting firm established in 2006, implementing high-impact programs across agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors in Ethiopia and beyond. FC combines deep local context understanding with strong execution capability to deliver measurable outcomes in job creation, enterprise growth, investment mobilization, and inclusive economic development.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

FC Africa is currently exploring participation as implementing partner in an upcoming multi-country program focused on enterprise development, access to finance, and inclusive job creation across selected African markets. The initiative is expected to target nano and micro enterprises, with a strong emphasis on youth and women, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas in green economy. FC Africa will play a central role in program design, coordination, and oversight, working with a network of local partners to deliver scalable and impactful interventions. The program is anticipated to adopt a market-driven and ecosystem-based approach, integrating enterprise support, financial inclusion, and skills development to drive sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience.

POSITION: SAFEGUARDING LEAD – REGIONAL

Position Summary

The Safeguarding Lead will ensure that all program activities adhere to safeguarding standards, protecting beneficiaries especially women, youth, and vulnerable groups from harm, exploitation, and abuse.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement safeguarding policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms
• Ensure safeguarding is mainstreamed across all program activities and partners
• Conduct risk assessments and mitigation planning
• Provide safeguarding training and awareness to staff and stakeholders
• Establish safe reporting channels and manage incident response
• Monitor compliance with safeguarding standards across service providers
• Integrate safeguarding indicators into MERL systems
• Liaise with partners and donors on safeguarding compliance

Reporting

Reports to Regional Program Director

Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Law, Psychology, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in safeguarding, protection, or social risk management in development programs
• Proven experience developing and implementing safeguarding policies and systems
• Strong understanding of:
  • Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention
  • Child protection and vulnerable group safeguarding
• Familiarity with international safeguarding standards (e.g., Mastercard Foundation, DFID, USAID)
• Experience conducting risk assessments and managing incident reporting systems
• Strong training and capacity-building experience
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical judgment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills