JOB DETAILS:
JOB DESCRIPTION

Integrity & Safeguarding Coordinator (ISC)

Based in: Kampala with regular field travels
Reports to: Programme Implementation Manager
Updated: October 2024

Purpose
The Integrity & Safeguarding Coordinator acts as the centre point for Integrity and Safeguarding in Uganda. The ISC works very closely with project, programme, partners and consortia such as, HR and the different departments as well as the senior management team in country to ensure that War Child representatives are aware, trained and fully adhering to War Child’s Integrity & Safeguarding standards, procedures and policies always. The ISC will work hand in hand with the Regional and Global Integrity & Safeguarding advisors to ensure adequate and harmonised approach in prevention, awareness and response.

About us
The War Child Alliance (WCA) Integrity & Safeguarding Framework is a set of organisational policies, procedures and practices employed to ensure that WCA is a safe and inclusive organisation responsible for protecting individuals from any form of misconduct caused by its employees or anyone associated with the delivery of its work. WCA is committed to taking all measures possible to prevent any form of abuse, neglect, harm or misconduct including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment of children, youth and adults caused by any War Child representative including through the following means:

• Awareness: Ensuring that all War Child representatives are aware of the high standards of behaviour and conduct expected of them to protect children, youth, and adults from any form of abuse and exploitation in their private and working lives.

• Prevention: Ensuring, through awareness and good practice that staff and those who work with War Child minimise the risks of any form of abuse and exploitation including but by no means limited to conducting relevant vetting and background checks of staff as part of their recruitment process according to appropriate Human Resource (HR) procedures.

• Reporting: Ensuring that all staff and those who work with War Child are clear on what steps to take when suspicions or concerns arise regarding allegations of abuse or exploitation in line with the SpeakUp! Policy.

• Responding: Ensuring that for any reported breach/issue/concern immediate action is taken within 24 hours in line with our detailed SOPs. Essential principles of case management such as the survivor-centered approach apply for any issue addressed ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the child, youth or adult involved.

Integrity & safeguarding values include;
Accountable
Respectful
Transparent

The I&S Coordinator will lead the safeguarding portfolio of the country office comprising of: prevention activities, extensive training in country of staff, partners and volunteers; increased awareness of safeguarding amongst staff, programme participants, and in the community ; coordination of safeguarding compliance, coordination with Senior Management and colleagues to ensure that our programme sites are safe and appropriate. They will be leading on the facilitation of the Case Management Committee (CMC) at country level, case reports (action plan, follow up), as well as coordination of the Safeguarding Self-Assessment tool.

The I&S Coordinator will act as the ‘go to’ person for staff, volunteers, partners, any representatives and community members reporting concerns – these may include all forms of misconduct, abuse, harassment and sexual exploitation.

The I&S Coordinator will work in very close coordination with the Regional and Global Safeguarding Advisor/s to ensure safeguarding compliance in our programmes focusing on prevention and, when required, response to concerns raised.

Decision on investigation will be assessed and agreed with the Regional or Global Integrity & Safeguarding (I&S) Advisor following the SOP procedure. When possible, investigations will be carried out internally by the Integrity & Safeguarding Advisors either in person, or remotely with the close coordination of the I&S coordinator. External Investigators may also be contracted to lead an investigation when necessary and they will be closely supported by the I&S Coordinator and the Regional Advisor.

Objective of the job
1. Prevention and awareness raising
2. Receiving and responding to concerns
Position in organisation and essential functional relations
The ISC reports to the Programme Implementation Manager in Kampala

Essential functional relations include: WC Programmes, HR, Finance and all teams; Works with partners and stakeholders amng others; Works Regional and Global Integrity & Safeguarding advisors.

Roles and Responsibilities
• Ensure that children and youth‘s safety is at the centre of all War Child programmes and that all programmes and staff adhere to the principle of ‘do no harm’.
• Raise awareness of integrity and safeguarding amongst staff, volunteers and other representatives, ensuring that all children, youth and anyone involved with War Child are treated with dignity and respect, fully complying with behaviour protocols and the Code of Conduct.

• Bring your safeguarding expertise to ensure safer programmes, especially considering the risks of vulnerable children and youth (emotional, sexual, physical abuse, neglect and exploitation) and risks associated with unsafe programming.
• Support the Regional or Global Integrity and Safeguarding Advisors, to implement the Integrity Framework including Safeguarding Policies at country level.
• Alongside other colleagues such as MEAL, monitor effectiveness and compliance with the policies on a regular basis. Quarterly monitoring visits, on the spot visits, safety check list, and regular self-assessments.

• Make recommendations for enhancing prevention and response strategies in relation to the country context.
• Ensure that Uganda office prepares a yearly safeguarding plan.

Prevention and awareness-raising
• Deliver training and briefings to new staff, partners, visitors and associated personnel of War Child, and refresher trainings.
• Alongside HR and line managers, ensure that every new staff completes the eLearning Integrity and Safeguarding modules and facilitate an onboarding a 2-hour session for new joiners' groups within the first month of their employment.

• Raise awareness among field staff of their responsibility to report all suspicions of abuse/violations of the Global Safeguarding Policy, PSEAH, AFAC and the Code of Conduct
• Ensure that all persons representing War Child, including consultants, visitors, volunteers, partners, media and other relevant people are inducted and briefed on four core War Child Integrity & Safeguarding Policies and have signed the declaration form.
• Ensure that programme sites, country and field offices have visuals and child-friendly Safeguarding materials (posters, flyers) etc displayed in the local language.
• Ensure that behaviour protocols and SpeakUp pathways are visible and acknowledged by all staff and WCA representatives, including contractors and subcontractors.

Receiving and responding to concerns
• Maintain confidentiality always to safeguard both the child, young person, caregiver, staff and any subjects of complaint.
• Report cases in the online portal (Case IQ) as soon as possible upon receipt and keep updating the cases progress with the support of the Regional and Global Advisors. (case follow up, actions update, and attachments.)
• Ensure Integrity and Safeguarding Advisor/s are informed of allegations of abuse/ violations of the policies in a timely, standardised manner, as soon as possible within 24 hours of the allegation arising.
• In consultation with the Regional and/or Global I&S Advisors, call and facilitate the Case Management Committee (CMC) meeting to assess a case and agree on next steps.
• Upon request and appropriate to do so, support the Regional or Global Safeguarding Advisor with country investigations.
• Refer cases, when required, to the Child Protection team to ensure that the child receives specialised services if / when required as per holistic case management approaches
• Work closely with the in-country MEAL team to ensure that feedback is being gathered safely, community complaints and reporting mechanisms are functional and that safeguarding concerns are channelled to the I&S Coordinator within 24-hours.

Other
• Any other duties as assigned by line manager in line with these terms of reference and the fulfillment of the tasks.

Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
• Post graduate diploma in Community Development, Education, Child Protection, Psychology, Social Sciences or equivalent.
• Degree in Community Development, Education, Child Protection, Psychology, Social Sciences or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields (social work, community development)
• A Master’s degree in any of the above is an added advantage
• At least 5 years of relevant field work experience (including work with conflict-affected groups)
• Previous experience working with children/refuges/vulnerable populations
• Experience as team leader focusing at least one of the following areas: education, psychosocial support, mental health, child development
• Understanding of the refugee settlement contexts in at least one region of Uganda.
• Experience with managing teams and working in partnerships
• Demonstrated experience of managing budgets;

Skills and Competencies
Always discrete – the Safeguarding I&S Coordinator will handle sensitive information, and be aware of integrity & safeguarding case follow-up actions. You must maintain confidentiality throughout. It is important that staff, partners, volunteers trust the I&S Coordinator so that they feel safe to report any concerns

Empathetic – the Safeguarding I&S Coordinator should be empathetic and non-discriminatory. You should encourage others to always put vulnerable people first, listen to others and be understanding of what others have to say.

An excellent listener – it is vital that the Safeguarding I&S Coordinator has well developed listening skills as they may receive concerns verbally and need to possess the skills to listen to those disclosing without offering an alternative narrative or question the person disclosing.

Dedicated to working with children and young people, and keeping them safe from harm and abuse and always ensure the best interest of the child throughout

A skilled facilitator – a large part of the role requires delivering training and briefing to staff, partners, volunteers and representatives to War Child, therefore the Safeguarding I&S Coordinator should be a confident speaker, adept to facilitation

Able to recognise bias – every person has both conscious and unconscious bias. It is important that you are aware of these biases and if you feel that you are unable to overcome these then consider if you are the correct person for this role