Safeguarding Advisor (Ukraine Response) At Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is currently seeking a talented professional for the role of a Safeguarding Advisor, initially focusing on the Ukraine crisis response. Reporting to the Director – Central and Eastern Europe/ Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS) with dotted line responsibility to the Director of Human Resources and the Global Head of Safeguarding, this position will lead the respective operational approach to fulfilling Habitat’s safeguarding commitments for the region as well as contribute to enhancing Habitat’s global technical capacity within Safeguarding.

The Safeguarding Advisor will lead the regional safeguarding planning and implementation across the region, supporting significant capacity building and bolstering compliance with Habitat’s Safeguarding Standards within all respective operating entities. The immediate focus will be on regional safeguarding planning and implementation related to the Ukraine refugee crisis. This will include coordinating capacity building, promoting safe programming, enhancing safe partnerships, delivering trainings, establishing metrics, meeting donor compliance, risk management and non-compliance reporting, supporting the mainstreaming of safeguarding throughout operations, especially when engaging directly with communities and through partners. Additionally, this role will focus on global capability enhancement through working closely with the global safeguarding team to develop systems/procedures and enhance standards.

This position will be based in Bratislava, Slovakia, travels up to 30%, and is anticipated to last for 2 years. First priority will be given to candidates who are already eligible to work anywhere within the EU.

ABOUT HABITAT’S RESPONSE TO THE UKRAINE CRISIS:

As millions of refugees flee violence in Ukraine, Habitat for Humanity is on the ground in four neighboring countries – Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia – helping meet the shelter needs of displaced families. We are supporting refugees on the move, supplying them with emergency travel kits and hotel vouchers. Habitat is also working on mid- and long-term accommodations for refugees, by subsidizing rentals, refurbishing communal spaces that can act as shelter and supporting mid-term hosting arrangements with families who have opened up their homes. We also plan to lend our housing and construction expertise to partners who repurpose so-called empty spaces – such as unused schools and factories – to serve as shelter for refugees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safeguarding Champion

Champion safeguarding policies and accompanying policy guidance support materials, including strong advocacy for safeguarding across all levels of business to promote a culture of safeguarding.
Provide quality and accessible advice, support and guidance to managers and staff through supporting the effort for adequate safeguarding measures are integrated into office operations, processes and programs as outlined by Habitat’s Safeguarding Standards and other core documents.
Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues, concerns or experiences and foster an environment where all potential safeguarding misconducts are reported as per Habitat’s Safeguarding Policy.
Represent Habitat regionally in safeguarding matters.
Drive safeguarding regional strategy.
Establish safeguarding implementation plan/annual plan for the region and monitors progress against plan.
Operate as technical partners on safeguarding matters in regard to program design, proposal formulation, donor compliance, etc.

Regional Capacity Building

Create, support, and nurture a network of safeguarding focal points across the region at the country and program levels.
Collaborate with and provide advice to key teams and/or departments within the offices to promote fulfillment of that safeguarding risk analysis, including risk identification and management strategies of the country’s processes, procedures and activities and appropriate mitigating actions are developed.
Partner with the program team to enhance safeguarding awareness-raising in communities where Habitat operates and the MEAL team for raising awareness around community reporting mechanisms.
Support program teams in building partner capacity in the areas of safeguarding.
Lead safeguarding training delivery for the region.
Manages the overall compliance to Habitat’s Safeguarding Standards with support from leadership, including coordination of capacity building and assessments of regional entities.
Undertake and or support the development of local safeguarding procedures in line with mapping of local external environment (legislation, cultural considerations, etc.) and global guidelines.
Help mitigate reputational risks.

Case Management

For safeguarding investigations, provide case assessment and recommendations, and support fact-gathering under as needed based on consultation with the investigations team, provide relevant information to Legal.
Level of compliance by the Area Office and country programs within the region with Habitat’s Safeguarding Standards.
Progress on regional strategy development and roll-out.
Capacity building efforts resulting in strengthen safeguarding within Habitat operations.
Level of safer programming integration occurring throughout Habitat operations.
Quality of support given to staff when safeguarding concerns arise.
Ability to influence Habitat’s culture to work towards a speak up culture.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree level of education in relevant field.
5+ years previous experience of development/humanitarian work, or related work.
5+ years of safeguarding experience or experience in a similar field such as protection, child protection, SGBV – preferably in an international non-profit organization.
Experience dealing with sensitive matters – highly confidential and discrete – and ability to build/maintain trust.
Experienced trainer, facilitator and mediator.
Experienced in change management and project management skills.
Must have a high level of resilience with the ability to be impartial and remain calm under difficult circumstances.
Must be able to impartial in the most challenging situations.
Must have excellent problem – solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
Active support of HFHI Values & Commitments:
Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.
Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.