ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT / TEAM

Mercy Corps has worked in Liberia since 2002, initially responding to the humanitarian impacts of the country’s civil conflicts and subsequently evolving its programming to address the changing needs and priorities of Liberian communities. Over the past two decades, Mercy Corps has implemented a diverse portfolio of programs focused on food security, agricultural livelihoods, nutrition, financial inclusion, youth economic empowerment, renewable energy, water and sanitation, and community resilience, supporting sustainable development and improved opportunities across the country.

The USDA McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program in Liberia is a five-year, $35 million initiative implemented by Mercy Corps to improve literacy, school attendance, nutrition, and food security among primary school children in four counties: Grand Bassa, Rivercess, River Gee, and Grand Gedeh. The program will reach approximately 50,000 students in 234 public primary schools through the provision of nutritious daily school meals, strengthened early grade reading instruction, and integrated school health and nutrition interventions. In addition to reducing short-term hunger and improving educational outcomes, the program seeks to increase the Government of Liberia’s capacity to manage and sustain school feeding and literacy systems beyond the life of the award.

The program combines direct school meal provision with system-strengthening activities that support literacy, health and nutrition, school infrastructure, community engagement, and government leadership. Key interventions include strengthening teacher training and instructional support systems, improving WASH and food safety practices, promoting school gardens and local procurement, building the capacity of school and community management structures, and supporting national and sub-national government institutions to plan, finance, monitor, and sustain school feeding and early grade reading programs. The program is designed around a gradual transition strategy that shifts responsibility for implementation and oversight from Mercy Corps to the Government of Liberia, schools, and communities, ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership of both education and school feeding outcomes.

THE POSITION

The Senior CARM and Safeguarding Officer (SCSO) will support the Country Office with capacity building, safeguarding mainstreaming efforts, and overall sensitization of the Safeguarding Core Standards. The SCSO will act as a focal point for reporting and support efforts towards Mercy Corps’ Safe, Diverse and Inclusive Commitment.

The Senior CARM and Safeguarding Officer will provide technical leadership and oversight for Mercy Corps Liberia’s Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM), ethics, and safeguarding systems across the country portfolio. While supporting an anticipated program, the role will ensure consistent accountability, protection, and compliance standards across all Mercy Corps Liberia activities.

Working closely with program, MEL, Social Integration, HR, Operations, and leadership teams, the SCSO will strengthen community feedback and complaint mechanisms, promote ethical conduct, and ensure safe, confidential, and accessible channels for stakeholders to raise concerns, report misconduct, and provide feedback. The role will support the implementation and continuous improvement of safeguarding and accountability systems while fostering a culture of transparency, learning, and survivor-centered practice.

The position will also collaborate closely with the Social Integration, function to ensure accountability and safeguarding mechanisms are inclusive and responsive to the needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, helping Mercy Corps maintain high standards of accountability, protection, and quality programming throughout Liberia.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Training and Awareness Raising

• Use existing resources and tools (both internal and external) to train members in safeguarding. Set up a training plan in coordination with departments to fulfill Safeguarding Core Standard 3 and ensure team members’ awareness of safeguarding standards
• Sensitize program, HR, procurement and subaward teams on their responsibilities in Safeguarding Core Standard 5 and 6
• Collaborate with program teams to provide support when collaborating with partners e.g. completing the Joint Assessment and Monitoring tool
• Ensure program teams understand their responsibility in supporting partners
• Train key subaward partners when necessary, however ensure program functions take responsibility e.g. training program team members on how to deliver safeguarding awareness raising information
• Facilitate safeguarding training and capacity-building sessions for programs, HR, procurement, and PaQ teams
• Ensure key team members in the above teams are trained so they can sensitize contractors, suppliers, new hires, etc.
• Collaborate with CARM team to improve delivery of community safeguarding sensitization towards participants and community members
• In coordination with CARM and program teams work to ensure communities and participants understand their rights and reporting options and build trust around response systems and survivor support
• In collaboration with program teams and Safeguarding Focal Points and/or Champions, coordinate awareness and sensitization sessions for program participants and community members on Mercy Corps’ Safeguarding commitment and Safeguarding Core Standards
• Conduct field visits to assess safeguarding prevention measures are implemented by teams e.g., complete observational checklists that assesses safeguarding prevention measures such as adequate supervision, team member training and other measures

Systems and Processes

• Work with individuals and teams throughout the country office to ensure programs and operations integrate safeguarding prevention measures
• Support safeguarding risk assessments and ensure activities assessed as having high safeguarding risks are actively implementing prevention measures

• Support staff to take proactive steps in ensuring all program activities identify and mitigate risks

• Work with CARM teams and program teams to ensure safeguarding is integrated in CARM communications
• Act as a resource to senior management around safeguarding best practice and responsibilities
• Follow up with teams to ensure progress towards meeting Safeguarding Core Standards; informing senior management when there are gaps or challenges in progress

Survivor Response and Support

• Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues or concerns
• Act as a resource to survivors and help ensure their safety, security and well-being and support a survivor-centered approach
• In coordination with local PSEA networks identify, map, and annually update the survivor service map to serve as a directory for support services available to survivors
• Ensure safeguarding allegations are reported immediately to the Global Ethics and Compliance Team via the Integrity Hotline
• Provide support for investigations if requested by the Ethics Team

Engagement

• Participate in and represent Mercy Corps at relevant sector groups and coordination mechanisms such as PSEA Network meetings
• Reach out to and work closely with the Regional Safeguarding Advisor
• Reach out to Protection Working Groups, Violence Against Women and Girls, Violence Against Men and Boys, Intimate Partner Violence, and Conflict Related to Sexual Clusters or other forums when needed

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

CARM & Safeguarding Assistant

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Technical Director, Program Managers, HR, Safeguarding Focal Points, Safeguarding Champions, Co-investigators and Regional Safeguarding Advisor, and subawards.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Arts / Social Science / Social Studies / Community Development / Public Administration / Public Health / Education or a related field. Five (5) years of professional work experience
• Technical skills, experience, and knowledge in PSEAH, safeguarding, protection, GBV or gender highly desirable
• Experience with coordination, planning and project support skills for capacity building
• Excellent administrative and project support skills
• Strong coordination and organizational skills; can engage in multiple workstreams
• Strong writing skills and communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with different teams
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite)
• Demonstrates sensitivity and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated appreciation for a survivor-centered safeguarding approach

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position is based in Monrovia.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful candidate is well organized, a collaborator, and results driven. They can manage a good amount of information and track multiple work streams for the timely completion of work plan deliverables. They are a clear communicator, a good writer, and able to develop and maintain strong relationships with team members and across functional units in the organization to achieve project objectives and program participants at national, county, district, school, and community levels. Flexibility and willingness to engage in a wide range of support activities, including basic administrative tasks when needed. A sense of humor and strong people skills to work independently and collaboratively across teams.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGOngoing learning in support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve; we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Please click here to apply: SENIOR CARM & SAFEGUARDING OFFICER | Mercy Corps Liberia