CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries without regard to race, religion, or nationality. Its relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Background:

CRS has been working on behalf of Afghan families since 2002, with hundreds of experienced Afghan staff working in offices across the country. We provide emergency relief, inclusive education, improved agricultural techniques, and other life‐enriching services to tens of thousands of households. The country’s long conflict has left many families displaced and impoverished, but the war’s end in 2021 has opened the exciting possibility of reaching many previously inaccessible communities.

CRS is currently implementing programs in the provinces of Bamiyan, Daikundi, Ghor, Herat, and Kabul and is exploring additional expansion. CRS maintains five (5) main offices in these provinces and several sub-offices that support the direct implementation of program activities. With over 200 staff, the Country Program is growing to meet new needs throughout the country.

The Accountability Officer will support the programmatic and operational implementation of CRS’s Safeguarding Policy and Safe and Dignified/Protection programming priorities under the direction of the Safeguarding and Protection Technical Advisor. She will coordinate the roll-out of the safeguarding procedures and minimum standards for the Fostering Resilience in Afghanistan through Multi-Sector Emergency Support (FRAMES II) project (50% LOE) and the BMZ Watershed and Disaster Management project in Bamiyan (50% LOE). Under the direction of the TA I, she will support CRS’ feedback, complaints, and response mechanism (FCRM), including the implementation and management of CRS’ hotline and use of YouTrack. H/She will lead the mainstreaming of safeguarding, protection, and accountability into CRS programming.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Implementation of Safeguarding Procedures

• • Develop a safeguarding annual work plan in collaboration with the Safeguarding and Protection TA and other relevant CP staff
  • Organize orientation sessions for senior staff and new staff on the safeguarding policy and procedures.
  • Coordinate all staff capacity-strengthening activities in line with the Annual work plan. This includes:
    • Developing action plans and monitoring improvement plans
    • Organise and conduct online or face-to-face training for all staff and technical accompaniment on relevant minimum standards (as per training materials and guidance provided by the Ethics Unit)
    • Coordinate technical support of other departments team (e.g., Investigation Focal Point, HR, MEAL)
  • In consultation with the CP Safeguarding and Protection TA and Regional Safeguarding Advisor, contextualize and make necessary adaptations of safeguarding training materials and tools provided by the Ethics Unit and support the rollout of these materials in the country program.

Management of the Feedback, Complaints, and Response Mechanism (FCRM)

• • Under the direction of the Safeguarding and Protection TA, train project frontline CRS staff on receiving and reporting feedback and complaints in line with CRS’ FCRM Standard Operation Procedure (SOP). Ensure that project staff are trained to identify and escalate safeguarding and protection reports, suspicions, and concerns
  • Support the implementation of FCMR Channels and use of the Youtrack platform.
  • Support regular effectiveness checks of CRS’ FCRM to ensure channels remain accessible, safe, and community-preferred; assess community awareness and use of CRS’ FCRM; and make recommendations to strengthen CRS’ FCRM further.
  • Facilitating reflection/learning around FCRM data to ensure that participant voices are reflected in design, management, and implementation decisions.

Mainstream safeguarding, protection, and accountability in CRS programming

• • Under the direction of the Safeguarding and Protection TA and relevant program directors/managers, lead the mainstreaming, analysis, and monitoring of improvement plans of safeguarding, protection, and accountability measures into select programs, including the 4-year BMZ-funded watershed and disaster risk management project and FRAMES II.
  • Lead the protection analysis and Protection risk mitigation plans with the project team.
  • Provide leadership in developing and technical oversight on the implementation of the Protection risk mitigation plans throughout the project's life cycle.
  • Support PMs with donor reporting as per the grant requirements.

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in designing and conducting training
• Minimum two years’ experience in the field of protection, safeguarding, or MEAL (particularly managing feedback, complaint, and response mechanisms)
• Experience with an international organization a plus.
• Experience in conducting assessments (preferred)

Education and Experience

• University degree in Social Work, Development, Project Management, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business or Public Administration

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Promotes the integration of a survivor-centered approach in all areas of their work
• Contributes to safeguarding risk assessment and mitigation strategies in relation to areas of their work
• Promotes widespread awareness and, where applicable, use of safeguarding reporting channels throughout their work
• Knowledge of industry safeguarding principles and standards
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation, and networking skills

Supervisory Responsibilities: None 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Safeguarding and Protection Technical Advisor I; Country Representative; Head of Operations; Deputy Head of Operations; Human Resource Manager, Head of Programs; Deputy Head of Programs; Director of Health, Head of Office, Project Directors/Managers; BMZ project and FRAMES II, MEAL Senior Project Officer; and MEAL Technical Advisor.

External: Project participants, community leaders and members,  other INGOs, NNGOs, and community-based organizations

Required Languages:

• Strong command of Dari and English (required)
• Command of Pashto (preferred)

Travel – The position will be based in Bamiyan, with up to 50% of anticipated travels to Bamyan , Herat and Daikundi districts. Daikundi, mainly Nili, Ashterlay and Sang Takht. 

"CRS is committed to providing daily allowances for mahrams who accompany female staff on day trips to the field, and per diem and accommodation for mahrams who accompany female staff on work-related trips that require overnight staying."

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff.  When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals.  These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and are used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – consistently takes responsibilities for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.  

RS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Protection Acknowledgment: CRS prohibits all forms of abuse and exploitation towards children and vulnerable adults. As a professional candidate, you commit to adhering to the Agency’s policy on protection, rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults and to safeguard them from abuse and exploitation as defined in CRS’ Safeguarding Policy

  Submission of Applications:

Applications comprise a one-page cover letter to explain your interest and suitability for the post and your CV. Please do not attach your education documents and work certificates unless requested.

Dear Applicants!

The process of submitting a CV/Application has been changed to the online system. Therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided below. Applications sent to any other email address or location will not be considered. Please ensure to rename your application file according to your name entered on the first page of the application forms.

Interested candidates can submit their applications by clicking on this link.

Please note that applications received after the closing date (i.e., July 27^th, 2024), will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for tests and interviews