Protection and Safeguarding Specialist

Global Support and Development•Charlotte, NC

36d

About The Position

Global Support and Development is seeking to hire a Protection and Safeguarding Specialist within our Programs section. The position is full-time, fixed-term, until December 31, 2026. Reporting to our Director of Protection and Safeguarding, The Protection and Safeguarding Specialist is responsible for integrating protection and safeguarding into GSD emergency response and preparedness operations, including deployment to emergencies with GSD’s Disaster Response Team . This position requires the ability to rapidly deploy to areas affected by natural disasters primarily in the Caribbean and Central America, with high readiness during the Atlantic Hurricane season (June-November). During both “blue sky” periods and emergency deployments, theProtection and Safeguarding Specialist will work to ensure that GSD's programs and operations minimize harm, promote safety, and uphold the rights and dignity of affected populations, including preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and child safeguarding concerns. The Specialist will provide technical expertise, guidance, and support to GSD teams and partners and serve as Safeguarding focal point for deployments. The Protection and Safeguarding Specialist works to strengthen GSD’s protection and safeguarding capacity through development of technical resources, capacity strengthening initiatives, support to strategy, system and capability development and related tasks. GSD is locally-led, brings together a range of backgrounds and expertise and does not engage in stand-alone protection programming at this time. Deployments are often based out of GSD’s Humanitarian Vessel. The ideal candidate will be adaptable to different modalities of work, have strong skills in integrating protection into other sectors of disaster response and supporting diverse partners and staff, and can engage meaningfully with communities, without being extractive.

Requirements

Seven (7) or more years of relevant professional experience, working on protection, GBV, child protection, or related field in humanitarian settings. Experience in the Caribbean and/or Central America a plus; and
Proven experience applying protection lenses to engagements with partners and teams.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated skills in protection risk analysis and mitigation;
Strong understanding of minimum standards for protection and safeguarding in humanitarian action;
Solid experience in humanitarian programming for major protection issues including GBV, child protection, etc.;
Demonstrated experience and understanding of survivor-centered safeguarding systems;
Ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders and build authentic, strong relationships across cultures;
Excellent at developing technical tools and facilitating training in protection;
Flexibility to adapt to evolving organizational needs and systems as well as different modalities of working;
Discernment for confidentiality in relation to organizational, partner, and donor activities and communications;
Experience working and/or traveling domestically and internationally;
Strong organizational skills and the ability to rapidly shift tasks;
At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and
This is a deployable position, with travel up to 60% (according to emergency need).

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, or other working language is an asset.

Responsibilities

Rapidly deploy to areas affected by natural disasters (within 48 hours, for up to 3 weeks per deployment) and remain prepared for rapid deployment;
Conduct rapid protection and safeguarding risk analysis for affected areas;
Support GSD teams to integrate protection principles into all aspects of GSD's emergency response, including needs assessments, program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;
Work with Team Leads to ensure implementation of GSD's safeguarding policies and procedures on the ground, that they are understood and adhered to by all staff, volunteers, and partners;
Identify and analyze potential protection and safeguarding risks associated with GSD's programs and operations and develop mitigation strategies, emphasizing those most at-risk;
Provide training and awareness-raising sessions on protection and safeguarding principles, expectations, risk mitigation, and reporting channels, for GSD staff, volunteers, and partners;
Share, strengthen, and establish (as needed) feedback and complaint mechanisms that are accessible and safe for affected populations, ensuring that protection concerns can be raised and addressed;
Liaise and coordinate with local partners, including the national disaster management organizations and other humanitarian actors on protection and safeguarding issues;
Connect with specialized protection organizations, and those serving the most vulnerable or at-risk populations. Participate in relevant coordination meetings and working groups;
Adapt protection and safeguarding strategies and tools to the specific contexts where GSD works;
Contribute to timely and accurate reporting on protection and safeguarding activities, including any incidents or concerns. Maintain clear and confidential records in accordance with GSD's policies;
Ensure consideration of protection needs and rights of affected populations within GSD's operations and with external stakeholders as appropriate;
Develop technical resources and tools for GSD staff and partners on protection and safeguarding;
Support program teams and departments to integrate Safeguarding and Protection into program design and implementation.
Contribute to development of organizational framework on protection and safeguarding as well as strategies and tools;
Represent protection and safeguarding in relevant internal meetings;
Uphold GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and
Perform other duties as assigned.