Job Announcement

Safeguarding, Safe and Dignified Programming Advisor I

Job Summary:

The Safeguarding & Safe and Dignified Programming (SSDP) Advisor will provide tools and technical support to the Country Program to effectively implement CRS’ Safeguarding Policy and ensure protection mainstreaming across programming. The SSDP Advisor will ensure safeguarding program quality standards and safeguarding-related MEAL policies and procedures are effectively met and exceeded, and that protection mainstreaming guidelines are adhered to in both relief and development programming. The SSDP Advisor will receive guidance, technical support and capacity building from the Ethics Unit’s Global Safeguarding Advisors, Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Safe & Dignified Programming Advisors, and other Regional and Global Technical Advisors (Gender, Social Inclusion, Disability, etc), as pertinent. The SSDP will be responsible for leading or supporting the mentorship and capacity building of any additional in-country Safeguarding focal points.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Working with the Global Safeguarding Team and HRD’s Safe & Dignified Programming Team, lead the implementation of CRS’ Safeguarding Policy and SDP Strategy at the Country Program (CP) level, securing technical support from Regional and Global Technical Advisors on specific thematic areas as needed;
• Help the Country Program to identify and action internal safeguarding priorities and capacity building opportunities, including for example: CP Safeguarding Checklist & Action Plan, Legal Analysis, CP-level Safeguarding Risk Assessment, and others;
• Provide regular updates to the Country Program on the agency and CP safeguarding and SDP efforts, lessons learned, and best practices; and ensure safeguarding and protection mainstreaming are regular agenda items in leadership and staff meetings;
• Coordinate and train any in-country generalist or project-specific Safeguarding Focal Points, including exchange of learning opportunities, facilitating regular meetings, etc.;
• Ensure Essential Service Mapping/referral pathways (across CP and project-level) are kept up to date and reviewed on an annual basis;
• Serve as a reporting channel to receive safeguarding allegations from colleagues and associates, and log these into EthicsPoint;
• Triage initial safeguarding or protection-related concerns or queries from colleagues; help ensure survivors receive immediate support and/or appropriate referrals following disclosure;
• Provide tools and technical support to Program Managers for awareness raising of program participants and communities of intervention on their rights, CRS’ Code of Conduct & Ethics, reporting expectations, etc.;
• Become familiar with, and facilitate linkages with relevant REDI resources, e.g. on responding to microaggressions, unconscious bias, and gender equity.
• Plan and facilitate safeguarding and protection risk assessments and mitigation planning for projects in the design phase, ensuring adherence to the Safeguarding Risk Management Policy and Procedure and SDP tools;
• Review project designs/proposals to ensure minimum requirements for safeguarding and protection are included, such as risk assessments, mitigation measures, functional FCRMs, meaningful participation, staff and budget, etc.
• Contribute to the design and monitoring of FCRMs, ensuring they are functional, safe, accessible, and effective for communities, and especially vulnerable and marginalized populations;
• Train project frontline staff on identifying, receiving, and escalating safeguarding and protection reports, suspicions, and concerns;
• Support the implementation of Common Humanitarian Standards (CHS) action planning for safeguarding and protection;
• Participate in and contribute to in-country PSEA/Protection/GBV networks and cluster forums and ensure Country Program staff and programs are kept abreast of global and local initiatives and resources;
• Support Global Safeguarding Advisors and HRD’s Safe & Dignified Programming Advisors by informing/contributing to discussions on safeguarding programming, and protection mainstreaming initiatives and efforts.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study (Human Rights Law, Gender, International Development, Social Work, Psychology, etc.) or equivalent professional experience.
• Two or more years of relevant experience (safeguarding, protection, gender) in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities. NGO experience preferred.
• Experience advising or providing direction to staff by using effective interpersonal and communication skills; influence others both within and outside of functional areas of responsibility.
• Experience creating and rolling out culturally sensitive training and capacity-building programs, materials, and communications.
• Solid organizational/time management skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced multitasking team environment.
• Strong analytical and report-building skills; strong computer skills including facility with standard desktop applications.
• Humble and approachable; a problem solver who seeks to find constructive solutions within compliance and policy requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop integrated plans that propel initiatives forward and identify ways in which to work collaboratively across departments.
• Ability to communicate in a timely manner to enable others to plan accordingly.
• Ability to assess, organize and interpret information to draw reasonable conclusions.
• Ability to easily collaborate with others and influence without formal authority, working towards common goals and objectives.
• Ability to explain ideas and processes clearly and address sensitive subject matters. Ability to facilitate discussions with various levels of staff.
• Personal and professional commitment to treat all people with fairness, honesty, dignity and respect.
• Demonstrates gender-positive, disability-positive, and survivor-positive attitudes
• Knowledge of industry safeguarding/sexual exploitation and abuse principles and standards

Required Languages – English

Travel – Varied; 30% in-country travel and up to 5% international travel

Supervisory Responsibilities- SSDP Officers and Interns as may be applicable

Applications:

If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via the link: Safeguarding & Safe and Dignified Programming (SSDP) Advisor. The application deadline is 9^th September 2026.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

About Us

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

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.