Job Description

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Title: Regional Ethics Officer – Safeguarding

Ref: 2020/005

Reports to: Regional Manager – Ethics

Department: Overseas Operations / Ethics Unit

Salary Grade: TBD

Country / Location: Kenya / Nairobi

About CRS: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more
than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.

CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary: The Regional Ethics Officer Safeguarding will carry out safeguarding investigations and ensure all key stepsin the investigative process are followed.

S/he will provide technical support to Country Programs (CPs) and partners with regards to prevention, detection and related safeguarding policy procedures and internal control systems.

Their advice and support will help the strengthening of and understanding of standards for safeguarding, contributing to the continued efficiency and effectiveness of our programming to the people we serve.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support initial assessments of allegations of safeguarding violations to determine credibility.


• Develop or contribute to the development of safeguarding investigation plans/Scope of Work (SoW) for investigations.


• Undertake investigations into allegations of safeguarding violations to determine breaches of policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and applicable rules and regulations.


• Ensure steps of the investigative process, including planning, fieldwork, reporting, follow-up and case closure, are performed in line with CRS guidance on safeguarding allegations management and technical advice and guidance from the Ethics Unit Safeguarding Team.


• Effectively document and prepare comprehensive reports and ad hoc briefs on assigned investigations and, based on analysis and findings, make recommendations for corrective actions and improved controls.


• Provide technical support to CPs and partner/sub-recipient (SR) teams, remotely and on-site, to assess structures and capacity of the country programs to comply with safeguarding procedures, applicable local laws, and donor requirements and offer improvements in safeguarding actions to strengthen internal control systems and procedures.


• Support the development and contribute to the implementation of standards and tools, including detection and response processes to safeguarding violations, guidelines, reporting formats and how to incorporate such standards into relevant CRS business practices.


• Support capacity strengthening activities in safeguarding violations for staff and partners through Identifying partner capacity/knowledge/skills gaps, conducting trainings and awareness programs, and mentoring and coaching CP and partner staff.


• Collect and analyze relevant data, evaluating and measuring impact of activities, and capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices.

Basic Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, psychology, law, counseling or related discipline required. Master’s degree preferred.


• Minimum of seven (7) years related work experience, ideally with an international organization, with progressive responsibility in operations and/or programming. At least three (3) of these years in human resources, protection programming, or child safeguarding.


• Knowledge of and experience working with USG, DFID, and other major public donors


• Knowledge of protection, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, and the field of safeguarding.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Empathetic with exceptional listening skills.


• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.


• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment


• Good written and oral communication skills


• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented


• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics

Required Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English; some regions may require French, Spanish or Arabic.

Travel: Willingness and ability to travel (approx. 40%)

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Ethics Unit Colleagues, Country Representatives, Country Program HR staff, Country Program Safeguarding / Protection staff (if applicable).

External: Partner staff, Safeguarding staff in other NGOs, local authorities (if appropriate).

If applicable: Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity


• Continuous Improvement & Innovation


• Builds Relationships


• Develops Talent


• Strategic Mindset


• Accountability & Stewardship

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

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.

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 protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Written applications indicating the reference number of the position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by Close of Business Friday January 17, 2020.

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services – Kenya/Somalia Program

E-mail :Crskenya-hr@crs.org

Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment.

Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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