The Position
The Regional Safeguarding Advisor (RSA) will deliver expert technical guidance and assistance to proactively address, identify, and mitigate safeguarding concerns within Mercy Corps’ East Africa programs and operations while ensuring robust survivor support systems are established and maintained.
The RSA will offer direction and assistance to regional country teams regarding Mercy Corps’ safeguarding methodology and procedures, encompassing the implementation of Safeguarding Core Standards. Additionally, the RSA will facilitate the evaluation and identification of safeguarding risks affecting children and adults within regional country programs while supporting the creation and execution of mitigation strategies.
This role will contribute to critical funding proposals by ensuring safeguarding risks are evaluated, and essential safeguarding initiatives are adequately supported. The RSA will deliver consistent updates on regional safeguarding measures and promptly escalate any concerns to the Global Safeguarding/Ethics team. The position will collaborate closely with program and human resource teams to strengthen safeguarding systems, enhance capacity, and raise awareness among team members and partners—including sub-recipients, contractors, consultants, and other entities acting on behalf of or under the direction of Mercy Corps.
The RSA will collaborate closely with the Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism (CAR) teams to integrate safeguarding principles throughout every phase of CAR execution.
Oversee a comprehensive range of critical duties, ensuring alignment with organizational goals while maintaining high operational standards. Key responsibilities include managing project timelines, fostering team collaboration, and optimizing workflows to enhance productivity. The role demands meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving priorities. Proficiency in industry-specific software, excellent communication abilities, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are required. Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of delivering measurable results in fast-paced environments, coupled with the capacity to mentor and guide team members toward shared objectives.
The position involves developing and implementing training programs and initiatives to enhance organizational awareness, ensuring employees and stakeholders are informed about key policies, procedures, and best practices. Responsibilities include designing engaging and effective training materials, conducting workshops and seminars, and evaluating the impact of training efforts to drive continuous improvement. Additionally, the role requires collaborating with various departments to identify knowledge gaps and tailor educational content to meet specific needs, fostering a culture of learning and compliance within the organization.
Collaborate with regional individuals and teams to embed safeguarding prevention measures and standards into programs and operations, while ensuring appropriate responses for survivors.
Adapt both internal and external resources and tools to align with the regional requirements and conditions.
Assist in the development and modification of training materials while designing effective delivery models, encompassing both remote and in-person sessions.
Provide ongoing support, guidance, and advice to in-country safeguarding roles, such as Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions, by establishing and maintaining systems, processes, and clear guidance to enhance team members’ awareness and strengthen their capacity to uphold safeguarding standards and expectations.
Provide in-country support for safeguarding initiatives by implementing robust systems, processes, and guidance to enhance partner awareness and capacity regarding safeguarding standards and expectations, encompassing sub-grantees, volunteers, consultants, contractors, money transfer agencies, and daily workers.
Provide expert technical guidance to CAR and program teams, facilitating efforts to ensure communities and participants are fully aware of their rights and available reporting options while fostering confidence in response systems and survivor support services.
In collaboration with the Global Safeguarding Team and in-country safeguarding support, you will deliver training sessions and provide informational briefings to leadership at both the country and regional levels, as needed or when opportunities arise.
We design, implement, and optimize systems, processes, and tools to enhance operational efficiency and support organizational objectives. Our focus includes evaluating current workflows, identifying areas for improvement, and developing scalable solutions. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and adoption of new technologies. Your responsibilities will involve analyzing performance metrics, troubleshooting issues, and recommending enhancements to existing frameworks. Additionally, you will document procedures, train stakeholders, and monitor system functionality to maintain high standards of reliability and security.
Assist in implementing the Core Safeguarding Standards across the designated region.
Facilitate the development and execution of country-level safeguarding strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and best practices. Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify risks, establish protective measures, and integrate safeguarding principles into all operational activities. Provide guidance and training to teams to enhance awareness and adherence to safeguarding policies.
Collaborating with the Global Safeguarding Team, you will provide specialized technical guidance and counsel to Country Directors and Senior Management Teams (SMTs) to help them develop tailored safeguarding strategies and prioritize key activities specific to their countries.
Under the guidance of in-country Safeguarding support, provide expert technical input and direction for safeguarding risk assessments and analyses at both the country and program levels.
To enhance country-level safeguarding, this role will actively mitigate high-risk activities by ensuring the implementation of preventive measures, such as observational checklists, structured supervision, targeted training, and additional risk reduction strategies.
Proactively and reactively collaborate with all departments to ensure the implementation of essential mitigation measures and adherence to best practices.
The role involves collaborating closely with country teams to deliver guidance and resources that empower partners in enhancing their safeguarding capabilities and ensuring adherence to safeguarding standards.
Provide guidance and support to program teams to evaluate partners’ adherence to essential safeguarding standards.
Collaborate with regional Human Resources personnel and program teams to establish robust safeguarding protocols for the onboarding of team members, casual workers, day laborers, consultants, and volunteers.
Collaborate closely with CAR teams and program teams to embed safeguarding measures within CAR systems and communications, ensuring active engagement through sensitization initiatives and community consultations.
Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on safeguarding best practices and compliance with Mercy Corps’ and donor safeguarding policies and response protocols.
Work collaboratively with Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation teams to integrate safeguarding guidelines into regional MEL activities.
In collaboration with the investigations team, assist in reviewing and refining corrective actions based on case reports, as needed, and facilitate their implementation.
We offer a specialized role dedicated to delivering exceptional survivor response and support services. This position involves providing compassionate assistance to individuals navigating challenging circumstances, ensuring their immediate needs are met while facilitating access to essential resources. Responsibilities include assessing survivor requirements, coordinating with relevant agencies, and maintaining open lines of communication to foster trust and provide ongoing support. Candidates must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, emotional resilience, and a commitment to upholding confidentiality and ethical standards in all interactions.
Provide technical support and guidance to Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions, assisting them in fulfilling their responsibilities as key reporting channels for safeguarding issues, concerns, or experiences.
Assist country and investigative teams by implementing a survivor-centered methodology in addressing all safeguarding concern reports, ensuring strict adherence to Mercy Corps’ established investigative protocols.
Support Focal Points and Champions by facilitating the allocation of necessary resources and establishing efficient processes to safeguard survivors’ safety, security, and overall well-being. Collaborate with local Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) networks to systematically identify, document, and maintain up-to-date records of available support services for survivors.
We seek a dynamic Engagement professional to drive meaningful interactions and foster lasting connections with our audience. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills and a proven ability to cultivate relationships across diverse platforms. Responsibilities include designing and implementing engagement strategies, analyzing audience feedback, and enhancing brand loyalty through targeted initiatives. Proficiency in digital tools, metrics analysis, and content creation is essential, along with a minimum of three years of experience in a related field. The role demands creativity, adaptability, and a passion for delivering impactful experiences that resonate with stakeholders.
Engage actively in Mercy Corps’ representation at key sector forums and coordination platforms, such as Clusters and SEA networks, while also facilitating the alignment and oversight of safeguarding initiatives across the designated region.
Join Mercy Corps’ Global Safeguarding Task Force, collaborating with essential personnel from across the organization to address safeguarding priorities collectively.
Engage in Mercy Corps’ regional working groups or cross-functional teams, providing representation for safeguarding efforts or the safeguarding team as needed.
Under the guidance of the Global Safeguarding Team, deliver specialized technical assistance to ensure alignment with donor requirements for project proposals and design.
Facilitate collaboration among countries to strengthen synergies, enhance coordination, and, where feasible, establish working groups that bridge CAR, SG, GDI, and DESI priority areas.
Supervises a team of employees, ensuring they meet performance goals and adhere to company policies. Provides guidance, support, and regular feedback to foster professional growth and maintain high productivity levels. Assigns tasks, monitors progress, and addresses performance issues as needed. Collaborates with management to implement operational strategies and align team objectives with organizational goals. Ensures compliance with workplace safety and regulatory standards while promoting a positive work environment.
Provides oversight and dotted-line support to in-country safeguarding managers, focal points, and champions without direct supervision.
Minimum qualifications and relevant transferable skills include a bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience. Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in pertinent software applications. Excellent communication and organizational talents are essential, along with the capacity to collaborate effectively in team-based environments. Prior experience in project management or a similar role is highly desirable, as is familiarity with industry-specific regulations and compliance standards. Adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning are also required.
A Bachelor’s degree is required, while a Master’s degree or equivalent in a field related to Humanitarian or International Development—or other relevant disciplines—is strongly preferred.
Professional experience of at least four years in the development or humanitarian sector is required, with a strong focus on gender-based violence and/or safeguarding. A thorough knowledge of safeguarding principles and survivor-centered approaches is essential.
Proven expertise in donor, regulatory, and sector-wide safeguarding standards, expectations, and best practices.
Preferred candidates will have prior experience in emergency response, fragile states, or other intricate, high-stakes environments.
Proficiency in conducting SEA (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) and safeguarding investigations is desirable.
Fluency in both spoken and written English is essential, with proficiency in additional regional languages considered advantageous.
Professionals must possess a proven track record in designing and delivering safeguarding training tailored to varied audiences, including organizational partners.
Demonstrated capacity to thrive in high-pressure, emergency response settings while maintaining flexibility to adjust to dynamic and rapidly changing circumstances as required.
Proven ability to actively listen, engage effectively in interpersonal interactions, and communicate clearly in both remote and face-to-face settings, coupled with strong networking capabilities.
Analytical and solutions-oriented professional with a strong capacity for self-reflection and the emotional intelligence to embrace and act upon constructive feedback effectively.
Demonstrated expertise in tailoring agency-specific safeguarding materials—such as training programs, policy frameworks, awareness initiatives, and communication tools—for effective deployment by partnering agencies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
4 years
