Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association created in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in the event of armed conflicts, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or even exclusion from care. The French section is present in around thirty countries.
We are looking for a: Safeguarding Referent in the Operations Department M/F.
Position context:
Based on the commitment made in the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan to prevent and manage patient abuse, a Mobile Implementation Manager was recruited in 2022 to lead the integration of safeguarding activities into the operations.
As part of the Operations Department – within the PCA Unit – this two-year position saw the launch of safeguarding activities in selected pilot countries, carrying out field visits and providing remote support. The position focused on the preventive aspect of safeguarding: risk analysis, implementation of mitigation measures, patient awareness and establishment of feedback and complaints mechanisms. These pilot projects and tests were documented and the lessons learned were compiled in the form of recommendations to operations management.
This work highlighted gaps in patient abuse prevention, as well as the need for additional structure and tools to strengthen the integration of abuse prevention into operations. The work carried out over the last two years has contributed to mobilizing the organization around the issue of safeguarding, both on the ground and at the institutional level. Some of the pilot countries have created dedicated positions on the ground to support the implementation of prevention measures, awareness-raising, feedback and complaints mechanisms, and to support the management of the response to abuse; a safeguarding policy was developed by general management and a working group was created.
In retrospect, a mobile position was not suited to the need for technical guidance and strategy, given that the topic was so new to MSF-OCP. The progress and commitment of operations management to implement the lessons learned mentioned above are the basis for the creation of this role of Safeguarding Referent.
This position will support positions in the field and accompany the operations department in the implementation of safeguarding policy commitments, in particular: risk analysis, feedback and complaints mechanisms, awareness raising and implementation of mitigation measures.
Project objectives and expected results:
The final objective is to implement the prevention of abuse of people in MSF-OCP projects, in accordance with the MSF-OCP safeguarding policy.
- Provide technical support to Safeguarding positions for the prevention, mitigation and identification of abuse of people (including staff, patients, caregivers, etc.).
- Provide strategic support to operations to develop measures to prevent and mitigate personal abuse.
- Develop organizational knowledge on the prevention and identification of abuse of people, capitalize on these experiences and provide tools and training/coaching modules on safeguarding.
This position covers all countries/interventions in OCP’s portfolio, including emergency responses, with a focus on Bangladesh, Uganda and Kenya for 2024.
The Safeguarding referent reports to the operations department. She/he acts as a technical referent for Safeguarding positions deployed in the field.
She/he works in collaboration with:
- L’Équipe PCA (Person Centered Approach)
- The general direction
- The EAMA cell (Head of the cell and/or the person dedicated to the subject of Safeguarding in charge of raising awareness among MSF staff)
- The legal department
- The Human Resources department
- The essential referents of the medical department
- The hospital management unit
- The Social Security focal point
- The logistics manager
Main responsibilities and functions:
In collaboration with the human resources department and the “Safeguarding” task force, set up a Safeguarding pool (standard job description, technical skills, recruitment).
- Ensure that pilot missions integrate safeguarding measures into their activities (awareness raising, feedback and reporting mechanisms, mitigation measures) and monitor the progress of their implementation.
- Support mission leaders and PCs in carrying out an abuse risk analysis and integrate risk analysis into mission routine.
- Provide technical support to safeguarding positions: monitoring of the action plan, review of protocols of understanding, methodological advice and other resources.
- Facilitate the creation of a community of practices for the implementation of safeguarding measures within MSF-OCP: sharing of resources, regular calls, etc.
- Based on experiences and needs in the field, develop tools and advice for implementing safeguarding activities, and ensure their dissemination.
- Contribute to the development of awareness messages and tools for staff in conjunction with the representative in charge of prevention and awareness of the EAMA unit.
- Develop an awareness toolbox for patients and communities in collaboration with the Health Promotion representative.
- Support and contribute to the rollout of the Patient Charter in relation to specific aspects of safeguarding, such as raising awareness of patient rights and implementing feedback and complaints mechanisms.
- Contribute to and actively participate in the safeguarding working group led by general management to ensure that the challenges and needs of the field are taken into account.
- Liaise with other departments so that they can support the field team in implementing prevention measures (e.g. the human resources department for staff awareness and logistics for premises security).
- Share, discuss and disseminate progress and challenges in implementing safeguarding in operations, particularly to cell managers, directors and senior management.
- Promote the importance of integrating safeguarding into operations through briefings, webinars, workshops, etc. with cells, directors and missions.
Requirements and experience required:
- University degree or equivalent experience in international human rights law, international relations, development studies, social work, gender studies or psychology.
- Five years’ experience in operational management/coordination in an International NGO or MSF.
- At least two years of experience in the Safeguarding field.
- Experience in developing safeguarding policies and/or implementing them in the field.
- Ability to listen, empathize and communicate clearly.
Languages: Fluent English and French C1 written and spoken, essential
Arabic level B2 is an asset.
Status: Full-time permanent contract. Executive position.
The position is based in Paris and requires frequent travel to the field.
Conditions :
€46.78K gross annual over 13 months.
22 days of RTT per year. Supplementary health care 100% covered by Médecins Sans Frontières. Restaurant vouchers with a face value of €11 (60% covered by Médecins Sans Frontières). 50% coverage of public transport fare.
Position to be filled as soon as possible.
Our wish is to promote inclusion and diversity. We also want to improve the representation of people with disabilities within our workforce.
How to apply
Please send your application (cover letter and CV) until 05/28/2024 inclusive to: Safeguarding Referent in the Operations Department M/F | Doctors Without Borders (msf.fr)
Only candidates whose applications have been selected will be contacted .