Location: Goma, DRC
Desired start date: June 1, 2026
Contract duration: 4-6 months
Application deadline: May 4, 2026
Handicap International / Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization that intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict, and disaster. Working alongside people with disabilities and those made vulnerable, it takes action and advocates to meet their essential needs and improve their living conditions. It is committed to promoting respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
Since its creation in 1982, HI has implemented development programs in more than 55 countries and intervenes in numerous emergency situations. Today, we have a budget of approximately 200 million euros and 4,000 employees worldwide.
At Handicap International, we firmly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organization. That is why we are committed to a disability policy to promote the welcoming and integration of people with disabilities.
Please indicate if you require any special accommodations, including for participating in the initial interviews. Find more information about the association at: www.hi.org .
CONTEXT:
The DRC has suffered from chronic instability since the late 1990s, linked to internal governance problems and its proximity to countries that have experienced major crises. Due to the fragility of its institutions, access to quality social services remains a major challenge for the entire Congolese population, estimated at between 100 and 120 million inhabitants.
The DRC faces a major challenge in resource governance, which has a significant impact on disaster risk management. As a result, when a disaster occurs, the government’s response often fails to meet all the needs, and this remains a major challenge for the population.
Eastern DRC has been the scene of a chronic crisis for over 20 years. Instability is constant, and armed groups are numerous. Humanitarian actors have been working in the area for many years, combining emergency, transition/resilience approaches and attempting to ensure some degree of development/stabilization.
Since October 2022, the security situation has deteriorated significantly with the resumption of fighting between M23 elements and those of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
Humanitarian access to these populations in emergency situations is a permanent challenge, both because of chronic insecurity and because of logistical access constraints (very degraded tracks and roads, regular landslides, flooded areas).
YOUR MISSION:
Reporting directly to the Program Director, the Senior Country Safeguarding Officer is responsible for Safeguarding in their area of operation. They ensure the technical and operational implementation of the HI Safeguarding package. In particular, they guide and support support and operational staff in implementing the preventive and accountability aspects of the program.
Responsibility 1: Standards and expertise :
- Ensures the deployment of the organization’s Safeguarding package including the Code of Conduct, the policies for the Protection of Beneficiaries against Abuse, Exploitation and Sexual Harassment and Child Protection, with availability for all people collaborating with HI;
- Contributes to the implementation of this package by adapting it to the program framework and setting up the associated guidelines, procedures and tools;
- Supports shared services teams in implementing Safeguarding technical standards in their procedures and associated activities;
- Supports operational teams (including MEAL) in the implementation of Safeguarding technical standards in projects;
- Develops a learning system based on experiences acquired and lessons learned in the country or area;
- Contributes to the definition and monitoring of the operational strategy (StratOp) within the scope of his/her responsibilities.
Responsibility 2: Coordinates the deployment of Safeguarding components in close coordination with the Senior Management Team (SMT)
- Develops and updates the program’s Safeguarding strategy and creates the action plan with the relevant stakeholders.
- Ensures the organization of the training & awareness plan with in-depth and tailored sessions for all staff, management, and partners;
- Contributes on an ad hoc basis to certain project launches and/or reviews.
Responsibility 3: Contributes to the organization’s internal and external compliance and accountability in the area
- Coordinates with Management the annual Monitoring Safeguarding & Anti-Fraud report;
- Supports teams on landlord compliance issues;
- Supports the due diligence process with operational partners;
- Supports Management in the landlord reporting process with headquarters in case of incidents.
Responsibility 4: Contributes to the quality of the systems for managing feedback and complaints from beneficiaries regarding Type 3b and 3c complaints[1]
- Contributes to the SoPs of the feedback and complaint management mechanisms developed by the MEAL teams for the Safeguarding part;
- Develops and updates a list of 1) Internal focal points, 2) Stakeholders in the area of Protection of Beneficiaries against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PEAHS);
- Communicates on the professional alert mechanism to HI employees and monitors the dissemination of information to beneficiaries;
- At the Manager’s decision, this is the point of reception for feedback and complaints within the communities and ensures the first level of triage.
Responsibility 5: Develops and manages the network of Focal Points
- Supports the selection and implementation of the network of Focal Points in its area of intervention;
- Provides training to the country or region’s Focal Points on the challenges of handling complaints and promoting a Safeguarding culture internally;
- Supports focal points to raise awareness among the population about protection policies and the code of conduct, as well as the functioning of return and complaint management mechanisms.
Responsibility 6: Participate in the management of Safeguarding alerts and complaints
- Is a point of contact or centralization for reporting violations of Safeguarding policies and code of conduct and ensuring their reporting;
- Ensures the secure receipt of complaints in coordination with the MEAL team and Management and the implementation of protection for the victim and the whistleblower;
- Participates in initial case assessments and, upon appointment, in the investigation unit.
Responsibility 7: Contribute to the cross-cutting culture of Protection within the program (Protection Mainstreaming)
- Participates in hubs, clusters and other PEAHS meetings and in the various working groups at the Regional level;
- Collaborating with teams to promote cross-cutting protection in the program: sharing tools and good practices in the prevention and management of violence and abuse.
YOUR PROFILE
- You have at least 3 years of experience in safeguarding/PSEA-H/GBV/Protection/Inclusion/Accountability topics
- You have experience in designing/deploying training and/or tools related to safeguarding
- You have excellent communication and writing skills (notes, reports, summaries)
- You know how to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy, confidentiality and discernment.
- You have a good ability to analyze and make decisions on complex subjects.
- You have a good grasp of safeguarding risk management, including sexual abuse and exploitation.
- French: fluent reading, writing, and speaking; English is a plus
CONDITIONS
At HI, departure conditions reflect your commitment and are tailored to the context of your assignment. Particular attention is paid to health issues and your personal circumstances: https://hi.org/fr/travailler-chez-hi
International contract of 4-6 months ideally starting from June 1, 2026;
The international contract allows for social security coverage tailored to individual needs:
- Unemployment insurance is only levied for EU nationals;
- Retirement insurance;
- Health coverage, repatriation, and insurance are provided by HI and the employee;
Salary : from €2448 gross/month; depending on professional experience;
Per diem : USD 677 net/month
Hardship: €500 net/month
Paid leave : 25 days per year;
R&R : depending on mission level: 5 days every 8 weeks
Then:
- Unaccompanied:
Accommodation: Collective housing provided by HI;
How to apply
Here is the link to apply:
https://apply.workable.com/j/0584395E12