The Position
The Regional Safeguarding Advisor (RSA) will deliver specialized technical guidance and assistance to proactively address, identify, and mitigate safeguarding concerns across 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 methodology and procedures, specifically the implementation of Safeguarding Core Standards. Additionally, the RSA will assist in evaluating and pinpointing safeguarding risks for children and adults in impacted populations across regional country programs, as well as help develop and implement mitigation strategies for these risks.
This role will contribute to critical funding proposals by integrating safeguarding risk assessments and ensuring adequate resourcing for key safeguarding initiatives. Regular regional safeguarding updates will be provided, with any issues promptly escalated to the Global Safeguarding/Ethics team. The position will collaborate closely with program and human resource teams to evaluate, monitor, strengthen, and enhance safeguarding systems, capacity, and awareness among staff members and partners—including sub-recipients, contractors, consultants, and other entities operating under Mercy Corps’ mandate or direction.
The RSA will collaborate extensively with the Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism (CAR) teams to integrate safeguarding principles into every stage of CAR implementation.
Essential responsibilities encompass a range of duties designed to ensure operational excellence and strategic alignment. The role involves executing key tasks with precision, including project management, stakeholder coordination, and performance monitoring to drive measurable outcomes. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in relevant technical skills, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities to address challenges effectively. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is paramount, requiring strong communication and interpersonal abilities to foster cohesive working relationships. Additionally, the position demands adherence to established policies, adherence to deadlines, and a commitment to continuous improvement in processes and deliverables.
The position involves developing and implementing training programs to enhance organizational knowledge and skills, as well as fostering a culture of awareness across departments. Responsibilities include designing educational materials, conducting workshops, and assessing training effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, expertise in instructional design, and experience in adult learning methodologies. Familiarity with compliance standards and the ability to tailor training to diverse audiences are essential. The role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to align training initiatives with strategic objectives.
Collaborate with regional colleagues and teams to embed safeguarding prevention measures and standards across programs and operations, while ensuring a prompt and appropriate response to survivors.
Transform existing resources and tools—whether developed internally or sourced externally—into formats and applications suitable for the regional environment.
Assist in designing and refining training materials, as well as crafting frameworks for their delivery, encompassing both virtual and in-person instructional methods.
Provide ongoing support, guidance, and advice to in-country safeguarding personnel—such as Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions—by equipping them with robust systems, streamlined processes, and clear guidance. This will enhance team members’ understanding and strengthen their capacity to uphold safeguarding standards and meet established expectations.
Provide in-country safeguarding support through the implementation of robust systems, streamlined processes, and clear guidance to enhance partner awareness and build capacity around safeguarding standards and expectations, extending to sub-grantees, volunteers, consultants, contractors, money transfer agencies, and daily workers.
Provide expert technical counsel to CAR and program teams while facilitating initiatives to ensure communities and participants are fully informed of their rights and available reporting avenues, fostering confidence in response mechanisms and survivor support services.
Working alongside the Global Safeguarding Team and local safeguarding support, you will deliver training and informational sessions to leadership at both country and regional levels, as requested or as opportunities arise.
We design, implement, and maintain efficient systems, streamlined processes, and advanced tools to support organizational objectives and enhance operational performance. This role involves identifying opportunities for automation, optimizing workflows, and ensuring seamless integration across departments. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate current systems, recommend improvements, and oversee the implementation of innovative solutions. Strong analytical skills, technical proficiency, and experience with system architecture are essential to drive continuous improvement and deliver measurable results. Additionally, you will monitor performance metrics, troubleshoot issues, and provide training to ensure effective adoption and utilization of these systems and tools.
Facilitate the implementation of the Core Safeguarding Standards across the designated region.
We assist in the development and execution of country-level safeguarding strategies, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and best practices. This role involves contributing to comprehensive planning efforts to promote the safety and protection of individuals within our operational scope.
Working collaboratively with the Global Safeguarding Team, provide expert technical support and recommendations to Country Directors and Senior Management Teams to develop tailored safeguarding strategies and prioritize key activities specific to each country.
In collaboration with in-country Safeguarding support, provide expert technical guidance and contributions to safeguarding risk assessments and analyses at both country and program levels.
Ensure country-level safeguarding risk mitigation by actively implementing prevention measures for activities identified as high-risk, including observational checklists, supervision, training, and additional safeguards.
Engage proactively and reactively with all departments to ensure the implementation of critical mitigation measures and adherence to established best practices.
The role involves assisting country teams in delivering guidance and resources to help partners enhance their safeguarding capacity and adhere to safeguarding standards.
Provide guidance and support to program teams to facilitate their evaluation of partners’ adherence to essential safeguarding standards.
Collaborate with regional Human Resources and program teams to establish comprehensive 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, facilitating sensitization initiatives and seeking input from relevant communities.
Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on safeguarding best practices and compliance obligations, ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps’ and donor-specific safeguarding policies and response protocols.
Work collaboratively with Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation teams to ensure alignment with safeguarding guidelines for MEL activities across the region.
In collaboration with the investigations team, assist in reviewing and adjusting, as well as executing corrective measures following case reports when necessary.
We provide dedicated assistance and care to individuals navigating challenging circumstances, ensuring their safety, well-being, and empowerment throughout their recovery journey. Our team collaborates closely with survivors to address their immediate needs while fostering resilience and long-term support. Responsibilities include coordinating resources, offering emotional and practical guidance, and advocating for their rights to facilitate a smoother transition toward stability. Qualified candidates must possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills, along with a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and crisis intervention principles.
Provide technical assistance and guidance to Safeguarding Focal Points and Champions, serving as a key resource for addressing their responsibilities in handling safeguarding-related issues, concerns, or experiences.
Dedicated professionals will collaborate with country and investigative teams to implement a survivor-centered methodology for addressing all reported safeguarding concerns, ensuring adherence to Mercy Corps’ established investigative frameworks.
Support Focal Points and Champions by collaborating to map and allocate necessary resources, ensuring survivors receive the support needed for their safety, security, and overall well-being. In partnership with local Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) networks, identify, document, and routinely update available local support services to meet survivor needs effectively.
At this position, the selected individual will play a pivotal role in fostering strong connections with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams to drive sustainable growth and loyalty. The role requires exceptional interpersonal skills, a customer-centric mindset, and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for engagement and retention. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing tailored engagement strategies, analyzing customer feedback to enhance satisfaction, and collaborating across departments to ensure seamless experiences. Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess a track record of measurable success in relationship-building, strong communication abilities, and a deep understanding of market trends to align engagement initiatives with organizational goals. A bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or a related field is preferred, along with prior experience in client-facing roles or customer relationship management.
Engage actively in sector-specific forums and coordination platforms, such as Clusters and SEA networks, on behalf of Mercy Corps, while facilitating the alignment of Safeguarding initiatives throughout the region.
Engage actively in Mercy Corps’ cross-functional Global Safeguarding Task Force, collaborating with essential team members from various parts of the organization.
Engage actively in Mercy Corps’ regional working groups or cross-functional teams, providing essential representation for safeguarding initiatives or the safeguarding team as needed.
Under the guidance of the Global Safeguarding Team, offer specialized technical assistance to ensure alignment between donor stipulations and project proposals and designs.
Facilitate collaboration among countries to establish synergies and enhance coordination, and where feasible, foster the creation of working groups that bridge the focus areas of CAR, SG, GDI, and DESI.
Overseeing a team and ensuring their workflows align with organizational goals and performance standards represents a core responsibility within this role. This position involves managing, guiding, and evaluating employees to foster productivity, professional growth, and accountability. Additionally, the supervisor is tasked with delegating assignments, monitoring progress, and addressing performance-related issues to maintain operational efficiency and team cohesion.
Providing indirect supervision while maintaining a dotted-line reporting structure to in-country safeguarding managers, focal points, and champions, ensuring oversight and collaborative support across teams.
We are seeking candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and possess relevant transferable skills. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in a related field, along with a proven track record of leadership and problem-solving. Strong communication and organizational abilities are essential, as well as the capacity to work effectively in a team-oriented environment. Familiarity with industry-specific software and tools is required, and prior experience in project management is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability, a commitment to continuous learning, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting.
A bachelor’s degree is mandatory for this position. While a master’s degree or equivalent in Humanitarian Studies, International Development, or closely related disciplines is strongly preferred, it is not an absolute requirement.
Professionals with a minimum of four years of experience in development or humanitarian sectors—particularly in gender-based violence or safeguarding—are sought, equipped with a comprehensive grasp of safeguarding best practices and survivor-centered approaches.
Possesses comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience with donor, regulatory, and sector-wide standards, expectations, and best practices related to safeguarding policies and procedures.
Preferable qualifications include prior experience in emergency situations, fragile states, or other multifaceted, high-risk environments.
Experienced professionals with a background in conducting SEA (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) or safeguarding investigations are highly preferred.
Fluency in both spoken and written English is mandatory, with proficiency in additional regional languages considered a valuable asset.
Proven expertise in creating and implementing safeguarding training programs tailored to a wide range of audiences, encompassing both internal teams and external partners.
Proven capability to thrive in high-pressure, emergency response settings, adjusting seamlessly to dynamic and rapidly changing conditions as required.
Proven ability to actively listen, engage effectively, and communicate clearly in both virtual and face-to-face environments, fostering strong interpersonal connections and professional networks.
Analytical professional with a strong aptitude for problem-solving, complemented by a keen self-awareness and the emotional intelligence to effectively process and act on constructive feedback.
Proven expertise in customizing agency-specific safeguarding materials—such as training modules, policy frameworks, awareness campaigns, and communication tools—for implementation by partnering organizations.
Required is proficiency in MS Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
4 years
