Safeguarding Coordinator (Kyiv, Ukraine)

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS Ukraine seeks an experienced Safeguarding Coordinator to join its small, yet growing and dynamic team based in Ukraine. Applicants must have an existing permit to live and work in Ukraine. Safeguarding at HIAS is our commitment to ensure that all our programs and operations are free from any form of exploitation, abuse, or harm. HIAS’ Safeguarding framework includes the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, anti-human trafficking, and internal sexual harassment. The Safeguarding Coordinator, in close coordination with the Global Safeguarding Director and the HIAS Ukraine Team, will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of HIAS’ Safeguarding policies in country, as well as developing, maintaining and improving systems to prevent and respond to safeguarding concerns.

The Safeguarding Coordinator is responsible for implementing HIAS’ Safeguarding policies, systems and ensuring compliance with safeguarding minimum standards for HIAS’ work in Ukraine, including in both direct implementation and with partners.

This position will report to the Country Director, HIAS Ukraine, with close technical supervision and advisory provided by the Global Safeguarding Director to ensure alignment with the Global Safeguarding Strategy. This role is cross-functional and will work closely with programmatic, technical, and operational staff within the response team, as well as coordinate with HQ-based colleagues within Human Resources, program, emergency technical staff and other HIAS departments as necessary to ensure that safeguarding is mainstream throughout the Ukraine response.

This position is based within Ukraine, with travel in-country as HIAS’ travel policy and security guidelines permit.

This is position is for Ukrainian nationals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

TRAINING AND AWARENESS RAISING:

• Work with teams throughout the response to ensure that safeguarding prevention and response measures are mainstreamed throughout programs and operations

• Create and adapt training content and develop models for delivery, including remote and in person training

• Increase staff and associated personnel’s awareness and capacity on safeguarding standards and expectations through ongoing trainings and awareness raising activities

• Work with Human Resources and program teams to ensure that safeguarding training is included in the onboarding casual workers, day laborers, consultants, and volunteers

• Increase partner awareness and capacity on safeguarding standards and expectations through trainings and awareness raising activities

• Develop and adapt awareness raising material for teams, program participants, and affected communities

• In coordination with Strategy & Management and program colleagues work to ensure communities and program participants understand their rights, HIAS’ Safeguarding policies, and reporting channels, and build trust around response systems and our survivor centered approach

SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND TOOLS:

• Create and adapt existing safeguarding resources and tools to be contextually and operationally appropriate

• In coordination with operations and program colleagues, lead safeguarding risk assessments at the country and program level and develop risk mitigation plans accordingly

• Work with program teams to ensure that safeguarding measures are incorporated in the lifecycle of programs, including the design, execution, and revision of programs

• Work with Strategy & Management and program colleagues to ensure that safe and confidential Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) are implemented in all programs, developed with community consultations, and that protocols are developed for handling safeguarding related concerns

• Collaborate with Strategy & Management colleagues to develop incorporate safeguarding into MEAL activities

• Assist and advise program and operations colleagues to assess partners’ safeguarding capacity and where needed ensure that safeguarding capacity building activities take place

• Develop guidance and tools to support partners in the development of safeguarding systems and compliance with safeguarding standards

• Work with Human Resources teams to ensure that safeguarding is incorporated into recruitment of all staff and associated personnel, supporting the implementation of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and the integration of safeguarding into interviews

• Advise communication colleagues to ensure the safe and dignified collection and publication of photos, images, and digital media of children and vulnerable adults

• Act as a resource to senior management around safeguarding best practice and obligations under HIAS and donor Safeguarding policies and response mechanisms

SURVIVOR RESPONSE AND SUPPORT:

• Act as a reporting channel for Safeguarding related incidents or concerns and ensure next steps occur in accordance with organizational policies and procedures

• Ensure safeguarding allegations are reported immediately to HIAS’ General Counsel and provide support for investigations as needed.

• Coordinate with HIAS’ General Counsel and Global Safeguarding Director to help ensure survivors’ safety, security, and well-being, provide referrals to support services, and support a survivor-centered approach

• In coordination with GBV colleagues, local PSEA networks, and GBV clusters, identify, map, and regularly update local support services available to survivors

ENGAGEMENT:

• Actively report to and coordinate with the Global Safeguarding Director to ensure strategic alignment with the global Safeguarding policies and procedures

• Participate in and represent HIAS at relevant sector groups and coordination mechanisms, including PSEA networks, GBV and Protection Clusters, and support the coordination of Safeguarding activities across the Ukraine response

• Participate in HIAS cross-functional working groups with key team members from across the organization

• Coordinate with the Regional Safeguarding Coordinator and regional HIAS teams to ensure coherence in safeguarding activities, prevention and response measures, and communication within the broader Ukraine response

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Gender, Social Sciences, International Relations, or another related field required; Master’s Degree strongly preferred.

• 5-7 years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of 2 years of relevant field-based experience in PSEA/safeguarding, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child protection, human trafficking, and/or protection mainstreaming in humanitarian response contexts.

• Demonstrated knowledge of technical principles, concepts, and international standards in Safeguarding/PSEA, GBV, child protection, anti-human trafficking, and/or protection mainstreaming in humanitarian response; general knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement training and capacity building initiatives with staff, partners, and/or community members on humanitarian principles.

• Experience working with directly with program participants and affected communities to improve organizational accountability and program quality and/or awareness raising on sensitive topics preferred.

• Excellent writing and communication skills, including demonstrated experience developing or contributing to tools, guidance, project proposals, policies, and SOPs.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.

• Strong cross-cultural skills; ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.

• Ability to manage/maintain high levels of confidentiality

• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.

• Willingness to relocate for up to 6 months and at short notice (within 2-3 weeks).

• Ability to travel within Ukraine and to countries in the region as needed, security situation permitting.

• English fluency required; Ukrainian and/or Russian fluency required.

• Applicants must have an existing permit to live and work in Ukraine.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people – a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults, and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse, or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personal. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.