Safeguarding Manager, LAC

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks an experienced Safeguarding Manager, LAC to support the implementation of its safeguarding policies and procedures in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Safeguarding at HIAS is our commitment to ensure that all our programs and operations are free from any form of exploitation, abuse or harm. HIAS’ safeguarding framework includes the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, anti-human trafficking and internal sexual harassment.

The Safeguarding Manager, LAC, under the supervision of the Director, Safeguarding and in close coordination with the LAC regional team and country teams in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, will be responsible for ensuring the harmonized implementation of HIAS’ safeguarding policies regionally, as well as developing, maintaining and improving systems to prevent and respond to safeguarding concerns. This role is cross-functional and will work closely with programmatic, technical and operational staff within the response teams in-country and regionally, as well as coordinate with HQ-based colleagues within Human Resources, programs, emergency technical staff and other HIAS departments as necessary to ensure that safeguarding is mainstreamed in the region.

Note, this is a full-time, temporary position that starts ASAP and ends April 30, 2024, with possible extension. This position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin).

This position can also be based in Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Aruba or Guyana.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

TRAINING & AWARENESS RAISING

• Works with teams throughout the region to ensure that safeguarding prevention and response measures are mainstreamed throughout programs and operations, taking into consideration donor requirements.
• Creates and adapts training content and develops models for delivery, including remote and in person training, ensuring alignment with existing donor PSEA trainings.
• Increases staff and associated personnel’s awareness and capacity on safeguarding standards and expectations through ongoing trainings and awareness raising activities.
• Identifies and trains safeguarding focal points in-country and acts as a resource for focal points on all areas of safeguarding prevention and response.
• Works with Human Resources and program teams to ensure that safeguarding training is included in the onboarding of casual workers, day laborers, consultants and volunteers.
• Increases partner awareness and capacity on safeguarding standards and expectations through trainings and awareness raising activities.
• Develops and adapts awareness raising material for teams, program participants and affected communities.
• In coordination with Strategy & Management and program colleagues, works to ensure communities and program participants understand their rights, HIAS’ safeguarding policies and reporting channels, and builds trust around response systems and our survivor-centered approach.

SYSTEMS, PROCESSES & TOOLS

• Creates and adapts existing safeguarding resources and tools to be contextually and operationally appropriate.
• In coordination with operations and program colleagues, provides support to safeguarding risk assessments at the country and program level and assists in the development of risk mitigation plans accordingly.
• Works with program teams to ensure that safeguarding measures are incorporated in the lifecycle of programs, including the design, execution and revision of programs.
• Works with Strategy & Management and program colleagues to ensure that safe and confidential Complaints & Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) are implemented in all programs and developed with community consultations, and that protocols are developed for handling safeguarding related concerns.
• Collaborates with Strategy & Management colleagues to develop and incorporate safeguarding into MEAL activities.
• Assists and advises program and operations colleagues to assess partners’ safeguarding capacity and where needed ensure that safeguarding capacity building activities take place.
• Develops guidance and tools to support partners in the development of safeguarding systems and compliance with safeguarding standards.
• Works with Human Resources teams to ensure that safeguarding is incorporated into recruitment of all staff and associated personnel, supporting the implementation of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and the integration of safeguarding into interviews.
• Works with HIAS operations and programs teams to ensure the availability of safe spaces in HIAS offices and at program sites.
• Advises Communications colleagues to ensure the safe and dignified collection and publication of photos, images and digital media of children and vulnerable adults.
• Acts as a resource to senior management around safeguarding best practice and obligations under HIAS and donor safeguarding policies and response mechanisms.

SURVIVOR RESPONSE & SUPPORT

• Acts as a reporting channel for safeguarding related incidents or concerns, and ensures next steps occur in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensures safeguarding allegations are reported immediately to HIAS’ General Counsel and provides support for investigations as needed.
• Coordinates with HIAS’ General Counsel and Director, Safeguarding to help ensure survivors’ safety, security and well-being, provide referrals to support services, and support a survivor-centered approach.
• In coordination with GBV colleagues, local PSEA networks and GBV clusters, identifies, maps and regularly updates local support services available to survivors.

ENGAGEMENT

• Actively reports to and coordinates with the Director, Safeguarding to ensure strategic alignment with the global safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Participates in and represents HIAS at relevant sector groups and coordination mechanisms, including PSEA networks, GBV and Protection Clusters, and supports the coordination of safeguarding activities across the region in close coordination with the LAC regional office.
• Participates in HIAS cross-functional working groups with key team members from across the organization.
• Coordinates with in-country safeguarding focal points, HIAS country and regional teams to ensure coherence in safeguarding activities, prevention and response measures, and communication within the broader regional response.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in Gender, Social Sciences, International Relations or another related field required; graduate degree strongly preferred.
• 4-6 years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in PSEA/safeguarding, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child protection, human trafficking and/or protection mainstreaming in humanitarian response contexts.
• Spanish and English fluency are both required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technical principles, concepts and international standards in Safeguarding/PSEA, GBV, child protection, anti-human trafficking and/or protection mainstreaming in humanitarian response; general knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement training and capacity building initiatives with staff, partners and/or community members on humanitarian principles.
• Experience working directly with program participants and affected communities to improve organizational accountability and program quality and/or awareness raising on sensitive topics preferred.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including demonstrated experience developing or contributing to tools, guidance, project proposals, policies and SOPs.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Strong cross-cultural skills; ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Ability to manage/maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Ability to travel within Peru, Colombia and Ecuador as needed.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or ESR.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures

How to apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter and application to our website: https://hias.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2239059&&cust_sort1=-1/&&nohd#job