India Safeguarding Expert

Job Type: Full-time consultancy

Reports to: Safeguarding Program Manager

Weekly Consulting Hours: 40 Hours

Location: These services are to be provided from India. While remote work is available, consultants based in Bangalore are preferred, and all consultants should be able to travel to the field frequently (about 30% of time).

Duration: 6 months (but subject to a month-to-month extension)

 

About this role

The India Safeguarding Expert will be responsible for Safeguarding for the India country program. They will not only be responsible for the operational execution of safeguarding policies and processes in India, but will advise as the expert of safeguarding within their specific country context. Along with the rest of the Safeguarding team, their services must ensure eligible recipients and the community they live in are safeguarded, their rights are protected, their choices are respected, and that they have the necessary support mechanisms to fully realize the impact of the transfers they receive from GiveDirectly. 

The consultant will support community engagement efforts, joining community meetings and providing safeguarding support/training as needed, running focus group discussions to identify key issues for recipients.

This role will require sharp judgment on operational issues and challenges, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a strong commitment to GiveDirectly's values, mission, and model.

Services to be provided  include:

Program Design and Project Work

• Advise and provide recommendations on program design to ensure programs are fully in alignment with Safeguarding standards and policy
• Provide guidance to other GD staff to ensure all aspects of our program are respectful, dignifying and reflective of GDs commitments to "Recipients First."
• Proactively identify safeguarding thematic areas in the country that could impact our recipients, and advise the country team on how to address and mitigate these risks 
• Conduct indepth project safeguarding risk analysis and provide guidance on safe implementation strategies that protect recipients from inclusion/exclusion errors, community tensions or conflicts, adverse events, sexual harassment, Gender Based Violence, extortion, or concerns with local leaders.
• Conduct community spot checks with recipients, communities, local leaders, and staff for high risk safeguarding locations. 
• Review all new field surveys to ensure recipient safe communication an appropriate inclusion of consent language 
• Support Programs and Community Engagement team in community scoping, vulnerability assessment and risk sensing in advance of new program launches to help GD fully understand the needs of the communities we serve.
• Coordinate review of strategic country safeguarding protocols and guidelines including the safeguarding checklist, SEAH assessments, country metrics for Accountability to program participants  

Safeguarding Case Management 

• Act as the country case adviser for recipient safeguarding cases. 
• Work directly with recipients and relevant stakeholders to resolve safeguarding concerns.
• Develop and execute on safeguarding response protocols for action by different teams, including investigations, programs, and HR.
• Document and track all country-safeguarding incidents and share the same with the global Safeguarding Team and other stakeholders
• Own the referral pathways in your country, including managing partner referral databases, partner relationship management, and referral pathway playbooks.
• Participate in critical safeguarding networks and working groups that will position GiveDirectly as a best in Class for safeguarding its recipients 
• Serve as the liaison between GD, affected recipients and referral partners as needed

Safeguarding Policy and Training

• Advise on and monitor safeguarding policies in India country program
• Deliver and document safeguarding training to all staff during new staff onboarding and at least twice per year. Help the Program Manager in adapting training to ensure that they are context-specific.
• Review and customize safeguarding training materials to reflect country needs and sector changes 
• Conduct country office training needs assessment based on safeguarding awareness and lead sensitization sessions for specific safeguarding thematic areas 
• Submit monthly reports on the above activities to the Safeguarding Senior Manager 

What you’ll bring:

• Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.
• Language Requirement: English with knowledge of Telugu and/or Kannada preferred
• Strong experience in Safeguarding, including experience as a protection officer, safeguarding focal point, or other relevant work in safeguarding and/or protection.
• Deep understanding of Safeguarding best practices and industry standards. Familiarity with leading Safeguarding training, case management, and direct support to recipients.
• Empathy, honesty, and the highest standards of integrity. High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, especially with talking to people living in vulnerable communities. As a Safeguarding FM, you will be required to work directly with recipients, including in times of crisis.
• Excellent critical thinking and decision making skills. Strong ability to show good judgment when resolving complex problems
• Technological literacy and comfort with understanding and analyzing data. The Safeguarding FM will be required to use Google Suite, Excel, Salesforce, and other programs. (Advanced experience is not required, but candidates should be comfortable using technology). 
• Experience with end to end project management, from scoping to execution. Comfort creating reports and memos. 
• Ability to frequently travel to our field programs throughout India. 
• Ability to travel ~1-2 times per year to one of our countries of operation for team retreats or field visits

Compensation

• The compensation for this role is $13,500 for a six month contract