Job Ref: SOS/08/18

Context of the Organization

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) is non-governmental and non-denominational organization working with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children are fulfilled in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing the care. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide.

Envisioning that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security, we exist to build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities. Everything we do is guided by the firm belief that no child should grow up alone and that we need to improve care for children who are at risk, enabling them to overcome precarious conditions and to succeed in life. To achieve our mission, our strategy for the upcoming decade focuses on ensuring the best care of children, innovation, and effective collaboration with more partners. Our core values guiding who we are and what we do include courage to take action, commitment to keep our promises, trust to believe in each other, and accountability to be reliable Partners.

The purpose of the Position

The Mission of the Head of Child Safeguarding in the region is primarily caring for and safeguarding children and young people is SOS CVI’s number one priority. The Head of Child Care & Safeguarding/ESAF is responsible for leading and managing the implementation of SOS Children’s Villages International Child Safeguarding policies and procedures within the ESAF region including the delivery of training, undertaking risk assessments, responding and reporting to safeguarding cases/concerns through coordination with the regional safeguarding advisors, MAs and the IO child care and safeguarding team.

Under the overall general direction and leadership of the DDR/ESAF, the incumbent ensures excellence in SOS CVI child safeguarding policies and procedures in full alignment with the Global policy and other relevant policies and procedures. S/he manages work with DDR, CVI Representatives, Functional Directors, and Advisors and with other relevant IOR ESAF & IO offices in full compliance of SOS CVI’s values, policies and standards.

The Head of Child Care and safeguarding must prove high standards of professional and social ethics and must accept full responsibility as the in-charge of all the regional child care and safeguarding activities of varying size and complexity to include providing support to MAs for the prevention and responding and reporting of child safeguarding issues as delegated by the DDR

She/he will ensure a consistent and effective flow of information pertaining to SOS Children’s child Safeguarding standards within the region through keeping relevant teams up to date on all developments both internally and externally.

 Main Clients

• Deputy Director of Region (DDR).
• SOS Children’s Villages International
• Representatives (CVI Reps)
• Regional Functional Directors
• Regional Advisors
• National Directors (NDs)
• IO Child Care and Safeguarding Unit

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

•  Provide leadership and supervise the performance of child safeguarding efforts by ensuring all organizational safeguarding policies, procedures, systems and ways of working are successfully implemented across the region and fully compliant with all SOS CVI policies and procedures.
• Ensure all organizational safeguarding policies, procedures, systems and ways of working are successfully implemented across the region and fully compliant with all SOS CVI policies and procedures. Evaluate the MA child safeguarding periodical risk assessments, implementation strategies and procedures,
• Ensure that there is a strong linkage and coordination between the regional Child safeguarding efforts and that of the International Child Care and Safeguarding team.
• Provide technical guidance and direction in the child safeguarding procedures and processes using risk analysis techniques and tools, and develop annual plans for discussion, review and approval by the Deputy Director Region (DDR)
• Ensure quality childcare and safeguarding standards are observed and maintained by all MAs as this is SOS CVI’s core purpose. Active engagement with senior management staff within the MAs in order to gain a good understanding of their child safeguarding priorities and engagements.
• Provide expert guidance and advice to child safeguarding teams at regional and MAs levels on all aspects of childcare and safeguarding. Delivers training where appropriate for MAs as well as external partners
• Support and lead MAs teams with risk assessments and ensuring all safeguarding measures are in place and are appropriately implemented
• Play an active role in coordinating the regional safeguarding network, by sharing and disseminating best practice to all teams and stakeholders across the region
• Be on standby to respond to any safeguarding queries/concerns at all times including out of work hours.
• Build relationships with child safeguarding networks relevant partner organizations, I/NGOs, government departments and civil society across the region.
• Ensure accurate, confidential and up-to-date documentation is maintained, and reported on, for all cases of child safeguarding
• Lead, manage and provide capacity building support to employees in Child safeguarding and other team members by ensuring clear goals and accountabilities are established and achieved
• Ensure individuals’ performance and development needs are met, and employees are high performing and engaged within the team.
• Foster a team environment, people management skills that includes diplomacy and also providing leadership and technical support as needed, support and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• This position is critical and very strategic, dealing with diverse demands and pressure from different parts of the organization to often tight deadlines: Member Associations (MA), Programme locations, Regional Office and International Office as well as key stakeholders and partners within the region

• Demonstrated experience of effectively implementing robust safeguarding policies, procedures and processes, from training and risk management, through to prevention, responding and reporting to safeguarding concerns and managing cases.

Note that the above description only noted some key activities of the position a comprehensive description will be provided alongside with the offer

We offer

• A diverse range of interesting tasks in a leading INGO multicultural working environment
• As a responsible employer we provide a range of training schemes and encourage educational enhancement
• A salary that will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

Working location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia/Nairobi, Kenya

Supervisor: Regional Director of Program

Region: East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

“SOS Children’s Villages International holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasise to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes”.   

Knowledge, Experience, competencies and skills

• Master’s degree in child rights, social work, or related field.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of safeguarding standards of best practice and current thinking/trends concerning working effectively with children and young people.
• Perform all assigned child-safeguarding duties in a manner that reflects the highest professional standards.
• Must be able to effectively work with new and changing situations including new regulations; where there may not always be a readily apparent solution.
• English is a must and French is desirable.