SJP Safeguarding Technical Officer

SJP Safeguarding Technical Officer for Karnali

Location: Karnali Province (District TBC) with regular visits to areas of presence
Duration: 1 May 2024 to 30th April 2025 (with possibility of extension)
Reports to: Safeguarding and Accountability Lead (Kathmandu)
Openings: 1

Introduction:

People in Need (PIN) is a non-governmental, non-profit, international organization founded in the Czech Republic in 1992. PIN arrived in Nepal as part of a humanitarian response to the April 25, 2015 earthquake. Since its inception in Nepal, PIN has had a strong role advocating and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations affected by disaster including person categories who live in geographically remote areas of the country, historically marginalized ethnic groups, and those marginalized because of their age and/or gender identity.

About the Project

Hamro Pratigya – Our Promise: Empowering Voices, Ending Gender-Based Violence Project under Security and Justice Programme

Eliminating gender-based violence (GBV) is central to the United Kingdom (UK) government’s commitment to women and girls. This project is envisaged in the context of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO)’s International Strategy on Women and Girls (2023-2030), the UK Gender Equality Act 2014, and the British Embassy Kathmandu (BEK) Country Plan, in particular, the goal defined as ‘Changes in social norms in key institutions and society mean less acceptance of GBV’. The project is strongly aligned with BEK’s commitments to the (a) transition to federalism in line with the 2015 constitution and (b) inclusive development, leaving no-one behind in the effort to empower the poor and traditionally marginalised and to improve service delivery to them.  A multi-year project directly funded by FCDO for up to £8 million from 1 April 2024 to 31 December 2027. It is expected that the programme will directly benefit community members, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across 3 provinces, including community schools. The priority provinces are: Madhesh, Lumbini, and Karnali.

ACCESS – Accelerating Civil Society’s Role in Securing Education for All in Madhesh, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces _ ACCESS programme

People in Need (PIN), the National Campaign for Education (NCE), the Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA), and Accountability Lab Nepal (ALN) have collaborated together to develop a comprehensive, locally-driven initiative in the Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces. This initiative aims to strengthen the role of civil society in ensuring education for all by empowering CSOs and networks to lead the implementation of the School Education Sector Plan (SESP). The consortium will partner with member CSOs of NCE and NDWA to (i) enhance their organizational and technical capacities in implementing inclusive education methodologies, and (ii) provide local CSOs with the skills to promote transparency and accountability in education plans through the mobilization of Girls and Inclusive Education Networks (GIEN) and the CivActs model. The EU-funded ACCESS project is scheduled to begin implementation on April 1, 2024. It is expected that this program will directly benefit community members, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and government tiers across the three provinces, including community schools, by strengthening civil society’s role and improving participation in advancing equitable access to education. The priority provinces for this initiative are Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Safeguarding & Accountability Lead, the Safeguarding Technical Officer will support the application of PIN Nepal’s accountability and safeguarding policies, guidelines, procedures, standards, tools and capacity-building modalities across all PIN Nepal’s programmes, project and team members in Karnali, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces. The officer will work closely with program teams, GEDSI and Protection Unit, local partners, communities, other relevant staff from across programs, MEAL and operations to mitigate safeguarding risks and uphold the rights and dignity of children and vulnerable adults.

Key Summary of Functions

•  In close coordination with Safeguarding and Accountability Lead, assist to oversee implementation of the safeguarding framework for project and project local partners, in compliance with international standards and norms, best practices, donor requirements, and PIN internal systems and procedures.
• Monitor and assess the implementation of safeguarding policies, guidelines, and procedures within PIN programs and partner organizations.

Risk Identification and Management:

• Support in managing safeguarding risks across the project area and work closely with relevant departments and program teams on mitigating those risks using appropriate tools and approaches.
• Timely identify risks and gaps related to safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults across projects and mitigate them in accordance with appropriate policies and procedures in coordination with Safeguarding and Accountability Lead and project.
• Provide timely inputs to the project risk register.

Prevention, Report and Response

•  Consult and communicate referral options for concerned beneficiaries, including those with disabilities, by exploring availability and feasibility of available services in coordination with GEDSI unit and Safeguarding and Accountability Lead.
• Support in the development of mitigation measures to prevention and response to exploitation, violence and abuse of any kind and gender-based violence (GBV).
•  Work closely with project GEDSI and Protection focal person whenever protection risks are identified or reported and ensure synergies with PIN protection response and reporting mechanisms.
• Record and timely respond to safeguarding cases across project, and among PIN project partner staff, by reporting through appropriate channels to Safeguarding and Accountability Lead.

Investigations

•  Under the supervision of Safeguarding and Accountability Lead, support to manage internal and external allegations and complaints with a potential to warrant internal investigation in line with CP policies and systems.
• Contribute to the preparation and analysis of investigation plan, facilitate interviews, investigation reports, and provide support in maintaining confidentiality and integrity throughout the investigation process.

Capacity Development of PIN Staff, Partners, and Other Stakeholders

• Participate in capacity-building initiatives for PIN and partner staff to enhance understanding and adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures.
•  Support in liaising with donors and external stakeholders on safeguarding and accountability matters as required.
• Carry out monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of safeguarding measures through the utilization of appropriate monitoring tools.
• Assess the safeguarding knowledge and skills of PIN partners and relevant stakeholders.
•  Support in the development and implementation of capacity-building plans tailored to the specific needs of PIN staff, partners and stakeholders to enhance their understanding and application of safeguarding principles.
•  Coordinate training sessions, workshops, and other capacity-building activities for PIN staff, partners, and community members.
•  Monitor the effectiveness of capacity-building initiatives and adjust strategies as necessary to ensure continuous improvement.

Community Engagement

•  Support to design and implement community outreach programs to raise awareness about safeguarding principles, with a focus on children, vulnerable adults, and marginalized groups.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with local community leaders, organizations, and relevant stakeholders to promote safeguarding practices.
•  Conduct sensitization sessions, focus group discussions, and other community engagement activities to facilitate dialogue on safeguarding issues and encourage active participation in safeguarding initiatives.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to integrate safeguarding messages into community-based programs and initiatives.

Monitoring

• Conduct assessments to identify gaps and challenges in safeguarding practices and support in the development of strategies to address them effectively.
• Prepare reports and provide recommendations based on monitoring findings to inform decision-making and improve safeguarding mechanisms.

Networking and Participation

• Participate in coordination meetings, working groups, and forums related to safeguarding and child protection as per requirement.
•  Establish and maintain partnerships with local community leaders, organizations, and relevant stakeholders to promote safeguarding practices.
•  Collaborate closely with the Safeguarding & Accountability Lead, other relevant departments, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and coherence in safeguarding efforts.

Requirements:

•  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in law, human rights, or a related field.
•  Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in safeguarding, child protection, or related areas.
• Familiarity with international legal frameworks and humanitarian principles.
•  Strong understanding of safeguarding, gender programming and protection issues.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.
• Experience in coordinating with donors, partners and external stakeholders on safeguarding and accountability issues.
•  Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Excellent knowledge of humanitarian principles and international and national legal frameworks
•  Fluency in English and Nepali (written and spoken)
• Local language proficiency (Awadhi, Tharu) will be a plus. Candidates from the targeted province, women and other marginalized and minority group are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Interested candidates can submit an updated CV and Motivation letter via our application form. Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis and should a suitable candidate be found before the official closing date, the advertisement might be withdrawn prior to the deadline, thus early submissions are strongly encouraged. Nepalese citizen can only apply for the position. No phone calls will be entertained.

Note: People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and is committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.