Purpose of the Position
The Safeguarding Officer will provide technical leadership and oversight on safeguarding, child protection,
prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and ethical community engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
The officer will ensure that all project staff, volunteers, consultants, partners, and stakeholders comply with safeguarding policies and standards while promoting safe and inclusive programming across all intervention communities.
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Key Responsibilities
The Safeguarding Officer shall:
Lead the implementation of safeguarding and child protection strategies across project locations.
Ensure compliance with organizational safeguarding policies, donor safeguarding standards, and national protection guidelines.
Conduct safeguarding risk assessments for project activities and recommend mitigation measures.
Develop and implement safeguarding action plans and reporting mechanisms.
Train project staff, volunteers, media facilitators, community mobilizers, and stakeholders on:
Safeguarding principles
Child protection
PSEA
Gender sensitivity
Confidential reporting procedures
Establish confidential complaint and response mechanisms within project communities.
Receive, document, and manage safeguarding concerns in line with approved protocols.
Coordinate survivor-centered referrals for health, psychosocial, legal, and protection services where necessary.
Support safeguarding integration into:
Community dialogues
Radio listening groups
Media production activities
Social mobilization campaigns
Work closely with LGA coordinators, community leaders, religious leaders, and health partners to strengthen local safeguarding systems.
Monitor safeguarding compliance during field activities and partner engagements.
Maintain accurate safeguarding records and prepare periodic safeguarding reports.
Support awareness campaigns on child protection, gender-based violence prevention, and safe community participation.
Ensure inclusive safeguarding approaches for vulnerable groups, including persons living with disabilities and adolescents.
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate should possess:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology, Gender Studies, Law, Development Studies, or related field.
Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in safeguarding, child protection, GBV prevention, or protection programming.
Experience working with NGOs, media development organizations, donor-funded projects, or community-based interventions.
Strong knowledge of:
Safeguarding standards
Child protection frameworks
PSEA protocols
Gender and inclusion principles
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Experience handling sensitive cases with professionalism and confidentiality.
Excellent facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills.
Knowledge of Hausa language and northern Nigeria community dynamics is an added advantage.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural and community-based settings.
Core Competencies
Integrity and professionalism
Confidentiality and survivor-centered approach
Risk assessment and incident management
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Training and capacity-building skills
Problem-solving and decision-making ability
Cultural sensitivity and community engagement skills
Teamwork and coordination
Deliverables
The Safeguarding Officer will be responsible for delivering:
Safeguarding implementation plans
Safeguarding risk assessment reports
Staff and stakeholder training reports
Incident and referral documentation
Monthly safeguarding monitoring reports
Community safeguarding awareness materials
Safeguarding compliance updates for project management