Lead Safeguarding Specialist
The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.
ROLE PURPOSE
Working in 54 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, with a total annual budget of approximately Euros 1 billion, Plan International’s stated Global Strategic Goal is to reach 200 million girls, particularly those living in fragile contexts, fighting injustice or facing crisis, with high-quality programmes that deliver long-lasting benefits.
The Government of Liberia, through the Liberian Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP) is implementing the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) (P173677) with financing from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group ($44.60 million). The LWEP aims to improve social and livelihood services for women and girls in targeted communities, foster positive social norms, and strengthen the government's capacity to advance women and girls’ empowerment through a “whole community” approach targeting multiple actors and levels. The World Bank views this project as creating a platform for the empowerment of women where policy dialogue happens, evidence of what works is produced and disseminated, and partnerships are strengthened. The project will be implemented by the Liberian Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP).
Plan International is seeking to be the Lead Service Provider for components 1,2 & 3 of this project under the supervision of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the MGCSP. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Safeguarding Specialist to join our team of key experts. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in leading technical guidance and support in assessing project activities for potential adverse social impacts as well as planning and implementing impact mitigation measures.
Dimensions of the Role
- Lead technical guidance and support in assessing project activities for potential adverse social impacts as well as planning and implementing impact mitigation measures
- Lead on all technical guidance and monitor the implementation of stakeholder engagement and social (ESF) plans, making sure that implementation is satisfactory and consistent with the relevant laws of Liberia and the World Bank ESF policies
- Lead social due diligence prior to commencement of works and liaise with communication teams to address pertinent national-related issues
- Lead and monitor project activities to ensure compliance with social (ESF) policies throughout the project life
- Ensure adequate social/ESF compliance related records and documentation are kept, with adequate documentation of stakeholder consultations.
- Ensure that the project’s Grievance Redress Mechanism is set up, functional, and effective
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
General Experience
- At least 10 years' work experience in social development or social safeguards or environment and social framework (ESF) or relevant experience
- Demonstrate excellent experience in social inclusion such as gender, youth, disability, and stakeholder engagement in a community development context
- Excellent knowledge of women empowerment challenges and effective strategies in the local contexts
- Have the ability to work with vulnerable groups in rural areas/communities in Liberia
- Working knowledge of World Bank and GoL ESF/social safeguards rules and procedures is advantageous.
- Digital skills including MS Office and Internet
Education and Language
- Master's degree in social science, public policy, development, political science, or a related field
- Excellent command of English is required for this role
- Knowledge of languages spoken in Liberia would be an advantage
Please click the link to view and download the full JD
Location: Country Office, Monrovia
Type of Role: Fixed Term
Reports to: Lead Service Provider Manager (Project Team Leader)
Grade: 14
Closing Date: 6th April 2024
**Contingent upon the pending and final ToR being published by the donor **
**Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. Early application is encouraged, as the advertisement may be closed upon selection of a suitable candidate **
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.
We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.
We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.
Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from 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. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.