Senior Safeguarding & Security Officer

• Job Title: Senior Safeguarding & Security Officer (SSSO)
• Department: Safeguarding & Security
• Reporting to: Country Director

Main Purpose

The Senior Safeguarding & Security Officer is responsible for ensuring the country’s safeguarding and security standards are understood well by all staff and key stakeholders and properly implemented and integrated into programmes and overall operations.  The role holder will ensure full compliance with Hope for Justice’s standard is achieved, and that all staff are well informed, capacitated, and vigilant in safeguarding and security matters.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Maintaining Safeguarding Quality standards

• Ensure full implementation of Hope for Justice’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conducts, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Investigation guidance, etc integrating them throughout programme & operation across the organization.
• Ensure safeguarding practices are survivor centered, trauma informed, confidential and right based, prioritizing the dignity, safety, and best interests of children and vulnerable adults at all times
• Promote safeguarding awareness among staff, government partners, service providers, and within communities we serve
• Provide training and workshops across HfJ operation as relevant to enhance awareness of staff and partners as well as integrate safeguarding in our programming (including our training & workshops)
• Proactively monitor safeguarding risk identification, analysis, recommendation of mitigation measures at organizational and programme levels
• Oversee safeguarding compliance of implementing partners, contractors, consultants, and third parties, including safeguarding capacity assessments, contractual safeguarding clauses, and ongoing monitoring and support
• Investigate safeguarding concerns through formal processes and implement appropriate corrective measures to ensure accountability and resolution
• Maintain strict confidentiality, controlled access, and compliance with data protection principles to prevent secondary harm while ensuring appropriate handling of safeguarding concerns in accordance with organizational procedures.
• Support global team in the development and review of Hope for Justice’s (HfJ) safeguarding frameworks and policy to ensure the country context is well understood and reflected in our global guidance and strategy
• Serve as the country’s safeguarding focal person reporting incidents and other concerns to the Country Director and global incident team in a timely and comprehensive manner.

2. Technical Oversight of the Delegated Safeguarding Officer (DSOs)

• Facilitate a minimum of quarterly consultation processes with children in our lighthouses, who are survivors of human trafficking & exploitation, to monitor their safety and to identify their areas of concern/complaint, if any.
• Ensure that Lighthouses hold a monthly children’s meeting (Parliament), to fill/draw children risk assessment, to work with their safe person, and any safety or child protection issues raised at this are followed up immediately.
• Build the capacity of DSOs across our operation areas so that they can ensure no additional safeguarding risks or harm befall as a result of our activities or processes
• Review monthly DSO reports, meet quarterly with them, and strengthen safe and appropriate reporting and response mechanisms to ensure robust safeguarding compliance by collecting, validating, and escalating safeguarding concerns/incidents reports;
• Follow up on monthly report format submitted by DSOs, discussing issues of relevance with the appropriate team and helping them manage minor/moderate issues.
• Mentor & Coach DSOs to build their capacity in safeguarding & protection essentials including implementing community-based child protection/safeguarding, & reporting mechanisms

3. Safety and Security Responsibility

• Implement security frameworks (Security Policy, Contingency Plans, Security Risk Assessments) and monitor security threats for adaptive planning.
• Proactively monitor political, social, and environmental security threats from formal and informal sources of information to provide actionable advice, enhancing adaptive security planning and preparedness, and ensure safe staff and beneficiary movements
• Implement robust procedures, and training programs tailored to Lighthouse services and community prevention, ensuring staff and partners are equipped to prevent, identify, and respond to security & safety risks effectively.
• Act as a senior adviser during security & safety crises, supporting leadership decision‑making and coordinating response actions in line with HFJ contingency planning.
• Collaborate with management to identify risks, update the organizational risk register, and organize refresher personal safety/security training;
• Periodically communicate safety and security procedures to staff in field and project operational areas
• Review all travel authorization requests, advise staff on security passes prior to and during travel using all available route information, and coordinate with drivers/staff to maintain the organization’s security plan.

4. Reporting & Documentation & Checks

• Submit Quarterly, Bi-annual, Annual Safeguarding and Security reports to the Country Director and the global team using the relevant check list, tools and approaches
• Conduct national/regional context, security and safeguarding analysis and submit to Country Director and Programme team as relevant
• Ensure that safeguarding standard tools and risk assessments are systematically collected, conducted, monitored and escalated.
• Ensure that all child protection boards, safeguarding/security messages, fire alarms, extinguishers, fire blankets, and first aid kits are updated
• Implement donor-funded activities as relevant and collaborate with donors to ensure compliance with all donor requirements, including the reporting of regular safeguarding work to donors.
• Work with HR staff to ensure all new staff/interns/researchers or media people are inducted signed and oriented to HFJ safeguarding policy and code of conduct.
• Lead safeguarding learning reviews and reflective practice sessions, analyzing trends and lessons learned to strengthen systems, policies, and staff capacity.
• Promote safe, accessible, and confidential reporting and whistleblowing mechanisms, ensuring staff, beneficiaries, and partners can raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

General Organizational Requirements:

• Coordinate & collaborate with all functional leads, programmes, MEAL and the SMT to achieve the highest outcome
• Champion a safeguarding culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
• Undertake any other duties, as appropriate to the post, as delegated by the line manager.

Education:

• BA in Social/Development Studies, Human Rights, law and related social science fields

Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior role managing safeguarding, security or safety/protection
• Strong experience working with vulnerable children, youth and families
• Minimum of 5 years’ NGO/ development sector with experience (preferably leadership) working in relation to safeguarding & security issues.
• Excellent track record in designing, implementing and managing safeguarding & security standards.

Soft Skills:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Resilience
• Facilitation
• Training
• Safeguarding Awareness
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Confidentiality
• Case Management

Technical Skills:

• Report Writing
• English Proficiency
• Microsoft Office
• Participatory Training Techniques
• Safeguarding Case Management
• Trauma-Informed Practice