About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:
The CP Safeguarding Sr. Officer/FP is a new or current CRS staff member who will oversee and coordinate the roll-out of the forthcoming partner safeguarding procedures and minimum standards to implementing partners at the CP level. The CP Safeguarding Sr. Officer/FP may also support CRS’ Ethics Unit to carryout investigations into credible allegations of safeguarding misconduct.

Job responsibilities:

Regional Coordination and learning
• Participate in a series of ToT events on the partner safeguarding procedure and minimum standards
• Act as a liaison between the CP and the Regional Partner Safeguarding Advisor on partner safeguarding
• Participate in relevant learning events and a regional partner safeguarding community of practice and share experiences and lessons learnt with other partner safeguarding staff
• Work with the Ethics Unit Regional Advisor on safeguarding investigations as appropriate

Implementation of Partner Safeguarding Procedures
• Conduct a mapping of implementing partners and develop CP partner safeguarding annual workplan
• Organize orientation sessions for senior partner staff on the minimum standards and assessment process and tool
• Coordinate and conduct partner safeguarding assessments according to the procedures
• Coordinate with other relevant CP staff and departments supporting the partner assessment process and collating their contributions
• Ensure that the results of the assessment are communicated to the partners
• Ensure partners submit improvements plans following the outcome of their assessment
• Conduct partner safeguarding follow-up visits within the required timeframe
• Coordinate all partner safeguarding capacity strengthening in line with the partner’s improvement plan. This includes:
• Providing partners with relevant templates and tools
• Organise and conduct online or face-to-training to partners on relevant minimum standards (as per training materials provided by the Ethics Unit)
• Coordinate technical support of other CP staff and departments (e.g. Investigation Focal Point, HR, MEAL) to partners
• In consultation with the Regional Partner Safeguarding Advisor, make necessary adaptations and contextualization of partner safeguarding training materials and tools provided by the Ethics Unit
• Coordinate, conduct and communicate the re-assessments of partners
• Ensure that documentation from the assessments, re-assessments and follow-up visits are safely stored in the office and relevant documents are uploaded onto Gateway

Coordination and communication at CP level
• Be the first point of contact for partners in relation to the partner safeguarding procedures and provide partners with appropriate information and technical resources
• Be the first point of contact for CP staff in relation to the partner safeguarding procedures and other partner safeguarding requests and questions
• Write monthly progress report on the roll-out of the partner safeguarding procedures at and share with supervisor, SMT, partnership staff and regional partner safeguarding advisor
• Organise monthly meetings with program, risk& compliance and any other relevant CP staff to provide update on the status, progress and challenges of rolling out partner safeguarding procedures at the CP level
• If applicable, serve as the point of contact at the CP level for Empower and other CRS initiatives on partner safeguarding
• If applicable, serve as the point of contact at the CP level on ensuring compliance with partner safeguarding procedures within HRD emergency responses

Case Investigation Duties
• Conduct survivor-centered investigations into allegations of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment against a program participant, community member, and staff or affiliates allegedly perpetrated by CRS staff or affiliates.
• Assess/review and advise CP on matters pertaining to the support needs of the survivor/victim and other witnesses, including matters pertaining the subject of the complaint.
• Support the development of investigation scopes of work, detailed investigation plans, interview questionnaires, and the preparation of final reports on findings and recommendations in a clear written format.
• In coordination with Ethics unit SG team, conduct and document interviews with survivors, reporters, witnesses, alleged subjects of complaint and other involved parties, obtain and analyze various forms of evidence, and conduct investigative research, assuring confidentiality, objectivity, impartiality, and fairness throughout the investigative processes in accordance with generally recognized international investigative standards, guidelines, and principles.
• Co-facilitate training workshops for senior partner staff aiming to build the capacity of partner organizations to develop their own investigation procedures.

Basic Qualifications:
• Minimum of five years of experience in the humanitarian or development sector
• Minimum of three years of experience in conducting trainings and/or implementing partnership capacity building initiatives
• Previous experience in the field of protection or safeguarding
• Experience in conducting assessments and writing reports (preferred)



Education and Experience
• University degree in Social Work, Development, Project Management, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business or Public Administration
• Previous investigation or case management experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (SKAs)
• Promotes the integration of a survivor-centered approach in all areas of their work
• Contributes to safeguarding risk assessment and mitigation strategies in relation to areas of their work
• Promotes widespread awareness and where applicable, use of safeguarding reporting channels throughout their work
• Impartiality: Ability to conduct inquiries in a fair, equitable, and unbiased way
• Detail-Oriented and Analytical: ability to assess, organize and interpret information to draw reasonable conclusions
• Active Listening: Ability to listen closely and with concentration
• Emotional Stamina: Ability to conduct interviews with people who have been sexually exploited, abused or harassed

Candidates should send their CV, diplomas, motivation letter. Subject should contain " Safeguarding Sr. Officer " at haiti.recruitment@crs.org

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)




These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.




• Integrity




• Continuous Improvement & Innovation




• Builds Relationships




• Develops Talent




• Strategic Mindset




• Accountability & Stewardship









Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)




• none









Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.









***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.




Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.









CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.









CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Stewardship



















Partner Safeguarding CP Staff: Introduction









• Depending on the number of sub-recipients per CP and required LoE , the Safeguarding position can either be full-time (Safeguarding Sr. Officer) or part-time (Safeguarding Focal Point) where this TOR is integrated into an existing position.




• This position can report to the HOP, HOOPS, the risk and compliance manager or Partnership Manager according to what is most appropriate for the CP structure.




• Ideally this position is a Grade 8/Sr. officer