The Position
The Regional Safeguarding Advisor (RSA) will deliver expert technical advice and assistance to mitigate, identify, and prevent safeguarding concerns within Mercy Corps’ East Africa programs and operations, while ensuring robust survivor support systems are implemented.
The RSA will offer direction and assistance to regional country teams regarding Mercy Corps’ safeguarding framework and methodologies, specifically during the implementation of Safeguarding Core Standards. Additionally, the RSA will aid in evaluating and identifying safeguarding risks for children and adults within affected populations across regional Country programs and facilitate the creation and implementation of mitigation strategies.
This role will contribute to critical funding proposals by ensuring safeguarding risks are evaluated and prioritized for adequate resourcing. The RSA will deliver consistent reports on regional safeguarding developments and promptly escalate any concerns to the Global Safeguarding/Ethics team. Collaboration will be essential with program and human resources teams to review, monitor, guide, and enhance safeguarding frameworks, capabilities, and awareness among team members, partners, and stakeholders—including sub-recipients, contractors, consultants, and other entities operating on behalf of or under the direction of Mercy Corps.
The RSA will collaborate extensively with Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism (CAR) teams to integrate safeguarding considerations into every phase of CAR implementation.
Oversee the critical duties and core functions of the position with precision and accountability. Ensure adherence to established protocols, guidelines, and performance standards at all times. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive initiatives forward while maintaining alignment with organizational objectives. Address challenges proactively and implement solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. Serve as a key liaison between departments to foster seamless communication and coordination. Uphold compliance with industry regulations, safety protocols, and ethical standards throughout all operations. Monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
Develop and implement comprehensive training initiatives and awareness campaigns to educate employees and stakeholders on relevant policies, procedures, and best practices. Design and deliver engaging workshops, seminars, and online modules to ensure a clear understanding of compliance requirements, risk management strategies, and organizational standards. Foster a culture of responsibility by promoting proactive learning and continuous improvement, while evaluating the effectiveness of training programs through feedback mechanisms and performance metrics to drive ongoing enhancement.
Collaborate with regional colleagues and teams to embed safeguarding prevention measures and standards into programs and operations, while also ensuring appropriate responses for survivors.
Adapt current resources and tools—both internal and external—to align with the regional context.
Provide assistance in the development and customization of training materials, as well as the design of delivery frameworks, encompassing both virtual and face-to-face instructional methods.
Provide in-country safeguarding support roles, such as Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions, with structured systems, processes, and guidance to enhance team member awareness and build capacity around safeguarding standards and expectations.
We provide in-country safeguarding support by implementing systems, processes, and guidance designed to enhance partner awareness and build capacity around safeguarding standards and expectations, ensuring these are upheld by sub-grantees, volunteers, consultants, contractors, money transfer agencies, and daily workers.
Provide expert technical direction to CAR and program teams, facilitating efforts to ensure communities and participants are fully aware of their rights and reporting mechanisms while fostering confidence in response systems and survivor support services.
In collaboration with the Global Safeguarding Team and in-country safeguarding support, conduct training and informational sessions for leadership at country or regional levels as requested or available.
DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES, AND TOOLS THAT ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND SUPPORT BUSINESS OBJECTIVES IS A KEY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS ROLE REQUIRES EXPERTISE IN DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND OPTIMIZING FRAMEWORKS TO STREAMLINE WORKFLOWS, AUTOMATE TASKS, AND IMPROVE OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY. PROFICIENCY IN IDENTIFYING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS, ASSESSING TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY, AND COLLABORATING WITH CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS IS ESSENTIAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE POSITION DEMANDS STRONG PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS TO DIAGNOSE AND RESOLVE COMPLEX ISSUES WHILE ENSURING ALIGNMENT WITH ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS.
Assist in implementing the Core Safeguarding Standards across the designated region.
Facilitate the development of country-level strategic planning initiatives focused on safeguarding, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.
In collaboration with the Global Safeguarding Team, you will provide expert technical support and strategic recommendations to Country Directors and Senior Management Teams to develop tailored safeguarding strategies and prioritized interventions specific to each country.
Provide expert technical direction and contributions to both country-level and program-level safeguarding risk evaluations and analyses in collaboration with in-country Safeguarding support.
To help mitigate safeguarding risks at the country level, we must ensure that activities identified as high-risk are actively implementing preventive measures. This includes conducting observational checklists, providing regular supervision, delivering targeted training, and deploying additional appropriate measures.
Proactively and reactively collaborate with all departments to ensure the implementation of essential mitigation measures and adherence to best practices.
Our role involves collaborating closely with country teams to deliver the necessary guidance and resources, empowering partners to enhance their safeguarding capabilities and adhere to established safeguarding standards.
Support program teams by offering guidance and expertise to evaluate partners’ adherence to essential safeguarding standards.
Collaborate with Human Resources and regional program teams to establish robust safeguarding protocols for onboarding 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 comprehensive sensitization and active consultation with affected communities.
Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on safeguarding best practices, ensuring full compliance with Mercy Corps’ and donor safeguarding policies, as well as response protocols.
Work collaboratively with Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation teams to establish and implement safeguarding guidelines for all MEL activities across the region.
In collaboration with the investigations team, provide assistance in reviewing and modifying, as well as executing corrective measures based on case reports when required.
Respond to and provide support for survivors with compassion and professionalism, ensuring their needs are met throughout the recovery process. Address immediate safety concerns, facilitate access to essential resources, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to deliver comprehensive assistance. Maintain confidentiality, adhere to established protocols, and document interactions meticulously to ensure accountability and continuity of care.
Provide technical assistance and guidance to Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions, ensuring they effectively fulfill their responsibilities as key reporting channels for safeguarding issues, concerns, or experiences.
Assist country and investigative teams in implementing a survivor-focused methodology for every safeguarding concern reported, ensuring adherence to Mercy Corps’ established investigative protocols.
To collaborate with designated Focal Points and Champions, it is essential to facilitate the mapping of resources and establish effective processes that enable survivors to access safety, security, and overall well-being. Additionally, we will work alongside local Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) networks to identify, document, and maintain current records of available support services for survivors.
We seek a dynamic Engagement professional to cultivate meaningful connections and drive participation within our organization. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to enhance interaction with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with our objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to analyze feedback to refine engagement approaches. Responsibilities include organizing events, fostering partnerships, and measuring the impact of engagement initiatives to maximize their effectiveness.
Engage actively in sector-specific working groups and coordination platforms—such as Clusters and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) networks—on behalf of Mercy Corps, while simultaneously facilitating the alignment and implementation of safeguarding initiatives throughout the region.
Engage collaboratively as a member of Mercy Corps’ Global Safeguarding Task Force, partnering with pivotal stakeholders from diverse operational units across the organization.
Engage with Mercy Corps’ regional working groups or cross-functional teams, providing representation for safeguarding initiatives or the safeguarding team as needed.
Under the guidance of the Global Safeguarding Team, deliver specialized technical assistance to ensure project proposals and designs comply with donor requirements.
Assist nations in cultivating synergies, enhancing coordination, and, where feasible, establishing collaborative working groups that align with the focus areas of CAR/SG/GDI and DESI.
The position involves overseeing a team of employees, ensuring their tasks are completed efficiently and in accordance with company standards. This role requires strong leadership skills to guide, motivate, and support team members while maintaining productivity and fostering a positive work environment. Responsibilities include delegating assignments, monitoring performance, addressing any issues that arise, and providing regular feedback to enhance team effectiveness. Additionally, the supervisor will be responsible for tracking progress toward goals, implementing necessary adjustments, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
Providing indirect supervision while maintaining a dotted-line relationship with in-country safeguarding managers, focal points, and champions, along with ensuring their oversight.
Minimum qualifications and transferable skills include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience; proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools; the ability to communicate complex information clearly; and a track record of managing multiple priorities within tight deadlines. Candidates should demonstrate strong problem-solving capabilities, adaptability to changing business needs, and a collaborative approach to teamwork. Prior experience in project coordination, stakeholder management, or process improvement is highly desirable.
A bachelor’s degree is required for this role. While a master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a field such as Humanitarian Studies, International Development, or a closely related discipline is strongly preferred, it is not mandatory.
Professional experience of at least four years in the development or humanitarian sector, with a focus on gender-based violence and/or safeguarding, is required. Additionally, a comprehensive grasp of safeguarding policies and survivor-centered approaches is essential.
Demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of and practical experience with donor, regulatory, and sector-wide standards, expectations, and best practices related to safeguarding.
Preferred candidates will have prior experience in emergency response, fragile state environments, or other intricate, high-risk situations.
Professional experience in carrying out SEA (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) and safeguarding investigations is strongly desired.
Proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential; additional fluency in regional languages would be highly advantageous.
Professional experience in developing and facilitating safeguarding training programs tailored for various audiences, encompassing external collaborators and partners.
Demonstrated capacity to thrive in high-pressure emergency response settings while effectively adjusting to dynamic and rapidly changing circumstances as required.
Proven ability to actively listen, engage effectively with others, and communicate clearly in both virtual and face-to-face settings. Demonstrated proficiency in building and maintaining professional relationships through strong interpersonal and networking capabilities.
Analytical professional with a strong problem-solving aptitude, complemented by a high degree of self-awareness and the emotional maturity to effectively process and implement constructive feedback.
Experienced in tailoring agency-specific safeguarding materials—such as training programs, policies, awareness initiatives, and communications tools—for effective use by partner agencies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
4 years
