Senior Safeguarding Officer

About the role

The International Rescue Committee seeks experienced Senior Safeguarding Officers to lead safeguarding and PSEA training, support partner integration of safeguarding, and monitor compliance across its operational regions.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver safeguarding and PSEA training to partner leadership, staff, and volunteers, ensuring consistent content and quality.
• Support partners in integrating safeguarding into program design, proposals, and day‑to‑day implementation.
• Monitor partner progress on safeguarding systems, including complaints and feedback mechanisms, focal point performance, and policy adoption.
• Conduct field visits to assess integration, document findings, and provide time‑bound recommendations.
• Mentor partner safeguarding focal points to build sustainable capacity beyond project life.
• Map referral pathways and establish confidential reporting systems for safeguarding concerns.
• Lead end‑of‑project capacity reassessments and contribute data to donor reporting.

Required profile

• BA/MA in Gender Studies, Social Work, Law, Human Rights, International Development or related field (post‑graduate degree advantageous).
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience (5 years for diploma holders) and at least 1 year post‑graduate experience.
• NGO experience in safeguarding, PSEAH, protection or GBV programming.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver safeguarding/PSEA training and strengthen partner capacity.
• Strong relationship‑management, diplomacy and analytical skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 60% of time) across IRC operational regions.

Required skills

• Excellent facilitation, coaching and training abilities.
• Strong understanding of PSEA principles, survivor‑centered approaches and international standards (e.g., IASC, Core Humanitarian Standard).
• Experience establishing or strengthening complaints and feedback mechanisms and referral pathways.
• Good computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with data collection or case‑management tools is an asset.