JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Safeguarding Manager
Reports to: HR Director
Duration of appointment: 2 years with possibility for renewal
Location: Kigali and Butaro campus
Role Purpose: The Safeguarding Manager is a key member of the Human Resources Department (HRD) working closely with the HR Director, members of the HR team, and other departments. As part of the UGHE team the Safeguarding Manager will focus on students, staff, vendors, contractors, visitors on campus health and wellness, safety, and security. S/He will ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are respected and implemented as well as the prevention of all forms of harassments including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. The office holder is expected to have a fulsome knowledge of the UGHE EDIS pillars and safeguarding polices.
BACKGROUND
UGHE has a legal duty of care to ensure that all members of its community are provided with a safe environment regardless of socio-economic standing, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, status ability or disability. UGHE recognizes that within its diverse community there may be members who are more vulnerable to risks than others. As part of the UGHE’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion the management seeks to implement measures aimed at protecting or safeguarding all students, staff, vendors, contractors, and visitors on UGHE premises–especially those from vulnerable groups–from any neglect, unfair and unjust practices, harm, and abuse. Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in their drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility while they uphold academic integrity and demonstrate intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals with these values to join its team.
Safeguarding at the UGHE aims to
Support UGHE in its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, protection as well as the prevention of sexual harassment and exploitation, any form of systemic abuse, and harassment whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities.
Promote a culture of inclusiveness and respect for the rights of members of the community so that they can operate and work in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
Support the clear understanding by the UGHE community on what constitutes systemic abuse and harassment.
Support UGHEs quest to design and implement clear guidelines and procedures which all can use to avoid involvement in misguided or unwelcoming behaviours.
Support UGHE to design and implement policies and materials to provide information on remedial measures to be taken by those affected by unwanted and inappropriate behaviours.
Consistently monitor and evaluate with all departments the safeguarding implementation process.
Support UGHE to ensure robust appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner to guarantee that concerns raised are addressed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advise UGHE management on the most appropriate operational framework for enhancing equity and diversity, promoting students, staff, vendors, contractors, visitors on campus health, wellbeing, safety, and security whilst preventing any harassment and exploitation including sexual harassment, reducing risks and vulnerabilities within the community.
Provide strategic oversight for all aspects of safeguarding work across the organization and ensure that UGHE policies and procedures are up to date and effective in protecting students, staff, vendors, contractors, visitors on campus who use the UGHE’s services from harm.
Work with the HR Director to ensure that all aspects of HR policies and procedure are supportive of good safeguarding practice including integration of safeguarding standards throughout recruitment and employment contracts while maintaining records to preserve privacy and confidentiality.
Work with management to
Ensure the integration and mainstreaming of safeguarding measures in all programme budget activities, procedures, and organisational policies.
Develop training content and roll-out trainings among UGHE staff, students, vendors, contractors, and partners.
Ensure that appropriate mechanisms are implemented to facilitate the reporting of all forms of harassment, abuse and neglect.
Conduct investigations on safeguarding reports
Ensure that appropriate data is collected about safeguarding while respecting established conventions.
Ensure that conducive links and relationships are maintained with students, staff, vendors, contractors, visitors on campus and external partner agencies across UGHE networks.
Ensure that UGHE responds appropriately and in a timely manner to changes in relevant legislations which have a bearing on policies and procedures.
Work with all departments and units to
Provide assurance that the PSEAH policy and the EDIS policies, procedures, and standard are being adhered to by all members of the community.
Orient students, staff, vendors, contractors, and visitors on campus to the PSEAH and EDIS policies.
Establish and manage culturally and contextually appropriate reporting media to enhance communication among students, staff, vendors, contractors, visitors on campus.
Record safeguarding concerns and manage them in a survivor centred approach, preserving privacy and confidentiality.
Monitor and evaluate progress of the safeguarding /PSEAH policy implementation process.
Put in place a mechanism for whistleblowing when the abuse, neglect and harassment come from a supervisor or a member of the management team.
Implement measures aimed at ensuring that students, staff, vendors, contractors, and visitors on campus who have experienced systemic abuse, neglect, and harassment within are provided with the requisite support services.
Identify, respond, and escalate, as appropriate, organisational risks related to safeguarding.
Ensure that established conventions are utilized when collecting safeguarding information.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
A minimum 3 years’ experience working in areas relating to EDI, Safeguarding and Risk Mitigation areas. S/He should have experience in conducting sensitive investigations.
A Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Science/ Gender and Development/ Law /Sociology/Industrial or Community Psychology or equivalent degree in other relevant fields with relevant skill and proven expertise in Safeguarding in recent roles in development sector.
In-depth knowledge of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Experience in capacity building and content development
Experience with new and rapidly growing organizations, initiatives, or departments, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
A passion for excellence, and a unique ability to build strong relationships
Demonstrated experience in conducting mentorship and training programs in gender related topics.
Understanding of the international humanitarian & development architecture will be added advantage
Behavioural Competences
Empathy for the challenges survivors face in reporting and the pressures an investigation places on all stakeholders, including the alleged perpetrator and management.
The ability to demonstrate integrity throughout the decision-making process, and to maintain strict confidentiality of extremely sensitive information.
The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships and to work in an inclusive and collaborative manner with internal and external stakeholders.
Exemplary interpersonal relationship skills and the ability to collaborate with a staff of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
A high level of maturity and professionalism
Strong interest for social justice.
Able to demonstrate sound judgement based on evidence, knowledge and understanding.
BENEFITS
Competitive salary based on experience
Great working environment that allows one to reach their greatest potential.
Prospective career growth opportunities.
UGHE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Commitment to safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:
We are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- students, staff, vendors, contractors and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with the UGHE’s policies. UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
