Safeguarding Assistant (Re Announced)

WDIO Background:

Watan Development and Initiative Organization is a non-governmental, nonprofit, non-political, and independent organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting communities through sustainable development, social justice, and enhancing well-being for individuals and families. Since its establishment in 2014, we have tirelessly worked towards poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, education and skill development, health and well-being, gender equality, women's empowerment, agriculture and livestock, and environmental sustainability. Our goal is to improve living conditions, provide quality education and essential skills to individuals, enhance community health and well-being, achieve gender equality, improve agricultural productivity, and promote environmental sustainability.

With a passionate team of over seven hundred individuals and a strong network of partners and supporters, we strive to bring about positive change by preserving and celebrating cultural diversity and heritage, fostering social cohesion, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect. We ensure program effectiveness and accountability through continuous monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven approaches. Our commitment to integrity, sustainability, accountability, innovation, empowerment, advocacy, and respect for diversity guides our efforts as we address pressing challenges such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, environmental conservation, women's empowerment, child welfare, and sustainable development.

Through innovative programs, advocacy efforts, and community engagement, Watan Development and Initiative Organization is at the forefront of driving sustainable solutions and empowering individuals to create a better future.

WDIO is nationally based in Kabul and maintains field operations through five regional offices, with over seven hundred staff members, located in Kabul, Bamiyan & Logar (Center-Region), Ghor & Herat (West-Region), Nangarhar, Laghman & Kunar (East-region), Takhar & Badakhshan (North-Region), and Kandahar (South-Region).

Our Value:

WDIO is committed to applying a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by its personnel. In 2003, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a Bulletin on “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” (ST/SGB/2003/13) (“the Bulletin”). To support the system-wide implementation of the zero-tolerance policy, the Director-General has decided to adopt the standards of conduct and provisions on PSEA set by the Bulletin, adjusted as necessary, to be applied by WDIO personnel, as follows.

Job Summary

Safeguarding Assistant supports the program in conducting training, monitoring visits in the field office where WDIO is working, and implementing projects. Work closely with/ and under the supervision of the Sr. M&E Officer, and the following are the main responsibilities of the Safeguarding Assistant:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in supporting the daily operations and management of the social safeguard aspects of the project (this includes reviews, screenings, preparation of safeguards plans, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting), ensuring compliance with the safeguards documents and keeping/recording proper documentation in the project file for possible review.
• Identify potential risks to children and vulnerable adults in all the project activities and report them to Provincial Manager and Sr. M&E officer.
• Assist in delivering mandatory and refresher training on CSG, PSEAH, anti-harassment, Bullying, Modern slavery & human trafficking, and code of conduct.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites of WDIO and partners, to ensure that the Safeguarding reporting system is working and beneficiaries know how to report cases.
• Conduct Safeguarding orientation to newly hired staff.
• Raise awareness on safeguarding.
• Strengthens safeguarding reporting mechanism.
• During field visits, ensure that all child and adult safeguarding concerns are reported effectively in line with the policy.
• High levels of professional safeguarding behavior and maintain the standards required by the Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Support the stakeholder engagement process from the social safeguards perspective, facilitating stakeholder identification, engagement, understanding and use of the grievance redress mechanism (GRM), and disclosure.
• Support and contribute to the compilation of social safeguard documents required, before the implementation of project activities.
• Support with the establishment of the GRM, including: (i) adequate, multiple-access GRM points to receive complaints from stakeholders; (ii) awareness raising/ensuring these access points are known to beneficiaries; (iii) acting as a focal point to receive and file claims accordingly; and (iv) monitor the effectiveness of the access points, proposing any improvement(s) needed in order to resolve and handle complaints on-site;
• Brief staff on the existing GRM, how it works, and how to address receipt and handling of grievances.
• Communicate social safeguards information to the Social Safeguards Specialist and the Chief Technical Advisor, providing guidance on addressing concerns brought to the attention of the focal points regarding any social issues arising from subproject activities.
• Plan trainings and project-related sessions for staff and teachers
• Any other task assigned by the project manager/ supervisor.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Psychology, Social Science, or any other related field, or 14 Grade with 5 years of the same experience.
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in similar positions of national and international NGOs.
• Two years of experience in the area of Child Protection and familiar with Child Safeguarding.
• Required Languages – Excellent Pashto and Dari reading, writing, and verbal skills, Fluent in English, reading, writing, and verbal skills.  

Other Skills:

• Experience doing project monitoring and investigation.
• Experience in planning and undertaking training programs/workshops in safeguarding at a range of levels (e.g., field workers, community-based staff, project staff).
• Good verbal communication and report writing skills in English and Dari/Pashto languages.
• Good presentation skills.
• Demonstrable commitment to Children’s Rights.
• Ability to deliver results against demanding timetables and in the face of competing demands.
• Ability to travel and work within challenging environments.
• Awareness of own strengths and weaknesses and evidence of commitment to self-managed personal development.
• Evidence of experience, personal development, and learning in the field of child care
• Experience of working within challenging environments.
• Experience of work-related travel in challenging environments.

Interested applicants could submit their CV and cover letter via the link below:

https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/single/gYA00Dfc