Safeguarding Coordinator

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.

CONTEXT

The MSF presence in Afghanistan is structured as a single representation for all Operational Centres (OCs), following the agreement made when MSF reopened activities in 2009. The Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) led the reopening and continues to coordinate alongside OC‑Amsterdam, OC‑Paris and OC‑Barcelona. MSF currently runs eight projects in Kabul (coordination), Kunduz, Khost, Helmand, Kandahar, Herat, Bamyan, Nangarhar, and Mazar‑e‑Sharif, with approximately 134 (international) mobile staff, more than 3900 country-based staff, and over 600 incentive staff.

The country management set‑up consists of one Country Representative (CR), supported by four Heads of Programme (HoPs), each responsible for the daily operations of their respective OC, in close collaboration with a Medical Coordinator (MedCo) and a country-based Deputy MedCo. The CR is the final decision‑maker for security, representation and communication for the whole programme.

As the Safeguarding Coordinator, you will be based in Kabul and work in a context marked by sensitivities. The complexity of the environment, combined with fast‑changing political dynamics and security constraints, poses risks for MSF as an organisation (including security, perception, ethical, medical, financial) as well as for MSF staff, patients, caretakers, and community members participating in MSF activities. To mitigate these risks and promote safer working and care environments, the MSF programme and desks have prioritised awareness on responsible behaviour and the prevention of abuse across all projects, supported technically by the Intersectional Platform on Behaviour (IPOB).

You will be under the hierarchical supervision of the Head of Office (as delegated by CR) and under the functional supervision of the IPOB. You will closely collaborate with the Country Coordination Team, the Heads of Programme from each OC, and the Project Coordinators and lead the drafting and implementation of the safeguarding strategy. You will mentor project management teams in preventing and detecting all forms of abuse across the country. You will coordinate and monitor the work plan of any team members under your responsibility, including Safeguarding Focal Points and Behaviour Officers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Context analysis

• Ensure context and activities analysis to understand the types of abuse or safeguarding issues that have previously occurred in the operations over the past two years, identifying type of situations that have led to the occurrence of abuse/ issues
• Conduct safeguarding risk assessments and necessary discussions with all stakeholders in the operations, including the patients and the community (when possible) to identify potential safeguarding risks
• Develop a safeguarding strategy and plan of action with mitigation measures, responsible persons, timeline and SMART indicators to monitor progress and achievements
• Conduct context analysis, (updating it as necessary) related to barriers, fears and risks surrounding reporting abuse in the mission for patients, community members and staff
• Ensure protection of patients and uphold patient rights through awareness of the Patient Charter, monitoring, and integration of safeguarding within service delivery

Implementation of the Safeguarding Framework (Capacity Building and Prevention)

Define with Heads of Programme and Human Resources Coordinator (HRCo) a sustainable adapted strategy for each project to maintain refresher sessions and discussions on behaviour / safeguarding for all mobile and country-based staff at least once a year (it could be monthly workshops covering all staff in one year and repeating a cycle every year)

In collaboration with the HR department, ensure that safeguarding considerations are integrated into recruitment processes and that behavioral commitments and safeguarding policies are shared, and understood by all MSF staff and affiliated parties

Ensure that daily workers employed in the context of activities receive essential information on abusive behavior and access to complaint mechanisms

Raise awareness of senior mission management about their role in creating and maintaining a safe working environment and safe care environment for all staff, patients, partners, and community members

Raise awareness about how to welcome a complainant in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner, adapted to the context, for complaints about abuse, including where to refer complainant