Safeguarding Lead in Lagos

Job Purpose


The Safeguarding Lead will oversee the safeguarding, gender equity, and child protection strategy of the GATEWAY Program, ensuring that all activities uphold the highest standards of safety, dignity, and inclusion.
This role is central to embedding safeguarding principles across all program components, with a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups, promoting gender equity, and creating inclusive environments.
The Lead will provide strategic guidance, oversee implementation, conduct risk assessments, and manage incident response mechanisms while aligning the program with global safeguarding and inclusion best practices.


Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding Leadership and Oversight:


Develop, implement, and review safeguarding policies, procedures, and guidelines in line with international best practices and local laws.
Conduct safeguarding risk assessments across program activities and recommend mitigation measures.
Monitor safeguarding systems and protocols regularly to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
Provide technical guidance and support to program teams and partners on safeguarding requirements.
Lead safeguarding investigations and ensure timely, appropriate, and confidential responses to incidents.


Capacity Building and Training:


Design and deliver safeguarding training for staff, partners, and stakeholders.
Build the capacity of program teams to identify risks, prevent harm, and respond effectively to safeguarding concerns.
Develop learning resources, toolkits, and workshops to embed safeguarding awareness across the program.


Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:


Ensure safeguarding standards are included in all program partnership agreements.
Act as the focal point for safeguarding issues in donor relations, audits, and compliance reviews.
Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to align safeguarding practices with national laws and global standards.


Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:


Develop systems to monitor safeguarding compliance and outcomes across program activities.
Maintain accurate documentation of safeguarding risks, incidents, and mitigation measures.
Provide regular safeguarding reports to program leadership and donors.


Key Performance Indicators 


Safeguarding Systems and Policy Implementation
Capacity Building and Training
Incident Management and Response
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement


Qualifications


Bachelor’s degree in social work, Gender Studies, Human Rights, International Development, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years’ experience in safeguarding, gender equity, child protection, or related fields, preferably within international development or innovation settings.
Proven experience designing and managing safeguarding programs and policies in Africa.
Strong knowledge of global safeguarding and child protection frameworks (e.g., UNCRC, GDPR for child data).
Track record in leading and managing diverse teams focused on gender, equity, and inclusion.
Understanding of legal/regulatory safeguarding frameworks in Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, and Rwanda.
Expertise in gender analysis, safeguarding risk assessments, and child protection evaluations.
Demonstrated experience in capacity building and training delivery across multiple stakeholder groups.
Strong communication, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.


Key Skills:


Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with a collaborative and inclusive mindset.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Results-oriented, proactive, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
High cultural sensitivity and experience working across diverse, multicultural environments.



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