The Child safeguarding Lead is a pivotal role for the organization. The incumbent will be employed by CIZ and reports to the Programs Manager and receive technical support from the Senior Technical Officer & Global Lead for Child Safeguarding.
About Children International
Children International (CI) is a global non-profit organization whose vision is to bring people together to end poverty for good. Its mission is to connect people around the world in the fight to end poverty. Working together, we invest in the lives of children and youth, build healthy environments that they need to thrive, and empower them to create lasting changes in their own lives and communities
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND SCOPE
· Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all child safeguarding Policy implementation in CI-Zambia.
· Drive consistent implementation and compliance with the International Child Safeguarding standards.
· Serve as a focal person for child safeguarding at the agency level.
· Send CI incident reports to CIKC within the specified time.
· Designs and delivers strategic child safeguarding training, mentors agency teams, and strengthens safeguarding competencies across all roles and contexts.
· Leads and coordinates child safeguarding incident investigations, ensuring timely, survivor-centered, and policy-aligned responses in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
· Leads agency coordination and follow-through for child safeguarding internal and external audits and/or certification, ensuring ethical participation, risk mitigation, and continuous system improvement.
· Leads child safeguarding risk assessments and mitigation planning, integrating protective measures into agency systems, operations, programs, and partnerships.
· Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold strong ethical standards in handling all beneficiary information/data
· Comply with and ensure adherence to the agency’s other policies, safety and security protocols including child safeguarding guidelines by self along with other stakeholders both internal and external.
· Promote diversity and inclusion, value other cultures, and demonstrate respect while relating with all organizational constituents irrespective of their race, color, faiths, gender, sexual orientation, age, caste, disabilities, experiences, beliefs and ethnicity.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Agency Child Safeguarding Systems and Process
- Ensure child safeguarding policy is implemented and monitored as cross-cutting theme throughout agency operations
- Provide technical input on planning, monitoring and evaluation of all CI-Zambia programs, operations, and services ensuring integration of Child Safeguarding perspective.
- Identify and prioritize child safeguarding gaps and risks, and lead targeted risks assessments and mitigation initiatives across agency operations.
- Analyze problems/challenges encountered in the performance of agreed tasks and subsequently identify ways to lessen impacts of such on the achievement of set goals.
- Participate and provide input during Child Safeguarding team meetings (agency and/or global level) on gaps, concerns and improvement initiatives.
- Strictly observe confidentiality and strong ethics with respect to all beneficiary information/data
CI Incident
Management
- Lead or participate in reviews of, complex or sensitive child safeguarding incident in CI-Zambia
- Develop appropriate intervention/treatment plans for each child safeguarding incident including counseling, referrals and other support services.
- Determine referral services needs to effectively address all child safeguarding incidents and conduct necessary follow-ups
- Collaborate with other staff and/or referral partners and attend case conferences called for by referral partners and/or other agencies.
- Facilitates Ensure timely and accurate reporting of all CI incidents to CIKC in accordance with the global child safeguarding policies and procedures
Finance and Administration Related Functions:
- Takes an active role during the Agency’s annual planning and evaluation of child safeguarding policy implementation goals, plans and activities for the development of Mid-Year and Year End Reports.
- Coordinate with the Accounting Department on submission of budget requests and subsequent budget liquidations on time, as applicable.
- Track and analyze the monthly budget execution of Child Safeguarding implementation. Respond to budget queries when they emerge.
Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership Development and Management
- Identify and recommend potential partnerships for child safeguarding policy implementation and build such relationships with other stakeholders.
- Facilitate referrals of CI incidents to relevant institutions/organizations for medical, legal, psycho-social, temporary shelter and/or any related assistance (as the need arises).
- Represent CI, participate and collaborate with other child welfare agencies that promote Children’s Rights and Protection.
- Ensure safeguarding components in all agency plans including agency’s disaster management plans. If necessary, support implementation of the same in case of disaster response/emergency response.
Capacity Building and Reporting
- Coach and provide feedback, and inputs to Child Safeguarding Facilitator and/or Child Safeguarding focal persons.
- Develop and deliver annual child safeguarding training sessions for all agency staff, volunteers, and other CI members, ensuring timely implementation and alignment with CI child safeguarding standards.
- Conduct orientation/training for new staff and partner on Child Safeguarding Policy and Protocol and Code of Conduct of the Agency. Prepare and ensure timely submission of CIKC-required reports.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND KEY SKILLS
. Bachelor’s Degree holder in the field of Social Sciences, preferably a Registered Social Worker, or Psychology with 3 to 5 –years of similar experience in an organization that specializes in child and youth development
· Relevant training on facilitating, counseling and child and youth development
· Knowledgeable of safeguarding policy frameworks, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and local laws protecting the rights and welfare of children
· Ability to adapt in a cross-cultural environment and ability to understand the concept across multiple disciplines.
· Possesses an adaptive mindset and entrepreneurialism
· Exhibits cognitive load management skills and competency in social intelligence
· Literacy in new media and virtual collaboration
· Quality focused, accountable and sensible
· Exemplifies excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, conflict management and training management
Organizational Policies
· Strictly observe confidentiality and strong ethics regarding all beneficiary information/financial and other organizational data.
· Comply with and ensure adherence to the organization’s policies, safety and security protocols, child safeguarding norms and guidelines by self- and all stakeholders both internal and external.
· Promote diversity and inclusion, value other cultures, and demonstrate respect while relating with all organizational constituents irrespective of their race, color, faiths, gender, sexual orientation, age, caste, disabilities, experiences, beliefs, and ethnicity.
Children International and all its partners firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, caste, gender, sexual orientation, creed, disability or any other protected category pursuant to applicable national, state or local law.Children International Zambia., is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers, and associates to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subjected to appropriate screening and satisfactory references prior to appointment
