Safeguarding Manager

Job Summary

The Safeguarding Manager leads PSEA, protection, and case response for Inkomoko across Rwanda. This manager enforces safeguarding policies, manages confidential survivor-centered reporting mechanisms, leads investigations, conducts site risk assessments, delivers specialized staff/partner training, and liaises with UNHCR and local protection clusters in Kigali.

Key Roles & Operational Responsibilities

1. Safeguarding Leadership, Risk Assessment & Prevention

• Culture & Policy Enforcement: Embed safeguarding, Code of Conduct, and PSEA policies across all operational decision-making, staff performance metrics, and country objectives.
• Field Risk Audits: Execute ongoing safeguarding risk assessments across program offices, new field expansion locations, and partner operations in refugee settlements and urban areas.
• Accessible Reporting Pathways: Ensure complaint and feedback mechanisms (hotlines, suggestion boxes, digital channels) are confidential, inclusive, and tailored for refugee and vulnerable populations.

2. Survivor-Centered Response & Case Triage

• Case Management & Triage: Coordinate timely, survivor-centered responses to safeguarding reports, maintaining strict confidentiality, impartiality, and documented escalation protocols.
• Referral Networks: Facilitate survivor access to legal, medical, psychosocial, and physical protection services through established referral pathways with external partners (UNHCR, local authorities, healthcare providers).
• Investigations & Analysis: Lead or support objective safeguarding investigations, maintain confidential case logs, and perform trend analyses to inform organizational risk mitigation.

3. Compliance, Safe Partnering & Capacity Building

• Safe Partnering Due Diligence: Evaluate external partner organizations, conduct safeguarding capacity assessments, and monitor ongoing partner compliance.
• Capacity Building & Training: Design and deliver specialized safeguarding, PSEA, and child/vulnerable adult protection workshops for staff, partners, and client communities.
• External Representation: Represent Inkomoko in inter-agency safeguarding forums, protection clusters, Communities of Practice (CoP), and working groups with UNHCR and civil society.

Foundational Capabilities & Prerequisites

Required Technical Profile & Qualifications

• Overall Professional Baseline: Minimum 4+ years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian, social enterprise, or international development environments.
• Protection Specialty: Minimum 2 to 3 years of direct experience in safeguarding, protection, or PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse).
• Investigation Track Record: Hands-on experience handling safeguarding case management, survivor support, and conducting formal investigations.
• Target Population Expertise: Proven experience working directly with vulnerable groups, including refugees, women, children, and displaced persons.
• Educational Baseline: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Rights, International Development, Law, Psychology, or a related field.
• Technical Competencies: In-depth knowledge of GBV, child protection, survivor-centered frameworks, risk assessment, and confidential complaints mechanisms.

Core Managerial Competencies

• Proven ability to lead teams, build trust through accountability, and manage multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Resilience, imagination, and empathy when navigating resource-constrained and fast-paced field environments.

What Inkomoko Offers

• High-Impact Mission: Direct contribution to protecting human dignity and supporting economic resilience across refugee and local communities.
• Competitive Package: Competitive salary + potential performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health insurance for self and family, staff savings and provident fund, negotiated bank rates, and generous annual leave, parental leave, and sabbatical options.

Skills Required:

• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development