Protection Officer

Safeguarding Policy Development & Implementation:

• Develop, implement, and regularly review safeguarding policies, ensuring they align with legal requirements and hospital standards.
•  Monitor compliance with safeguarding policies across all departments and ensure that safeguarding is integrated into everyday hospital activities.
• Develop local language content for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Code of Conduct, and other key messages for staff and patients.

Awareness and Training:

• Raise awareness among hospital staff regarding safeguarding concerns and procedures, focusing on vulnerable patients and gender-sensitive issues.
• Develop and maintain Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for staff and patient awareness, including posters, leaflets, and other tools.
•  Conduct regular training sessions for staff on PSEA policies, reporting mechanisms, and ethical behavior to prevent exploitation and abuse.
• Celebrate key awareness days (e.g., International Women’s Day, World Day against Trafficking in Persons) by organizing awareness sessions for staff and beneficiaries.

Victim Assistance & Support Services:

• Offer direct advice and support to patients, families, and staff members regarding safeguarding concerns, including counselling, psychological first Aid, guidance on reporting and accessing victim assistance services.
• Develop local linkages with external service providers to ensure comprehensive support for victims, including legal, medical and psycho-social services.
•  Act as the hospital's main contact for protection-related concerns, providing guidance and support to departments handling vulnerable patients.

SEA and Harassment Case Investigations:

• Receive and Record Complaints: Ensure that all SEA and harassment complaints are received in a confidential and supportive manner. Document details of incidents, ensuring sensitive information is handled with care.
• Investigation Team Formation: Establish and lead an impartial investigation team trained in handling SEA and harassment cases.
•  Conduct Investigations: Oversee or directly conduct thorough investigations into complaints, ensuring a structured and neutral approach. This includes interviewing victims, witnesses, and the accused while maintaining confidentiality and fairness.
• Ensure Accountability: Work with hospital management and legal teams to ensure appropriate disciplinary actions are taken in accordance with hospital policies and local laws.
• Follow-Up and Reporting: Provide regular updates to senior management on the status of investigations and ensure proper documentation of all findings and resolutions.

Monitoring & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all safeguarding cases and interventions.
• Prepare detailed safeguarding reports for senior management and relevant external bodies, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
•  Ensure that all safeguarding incidents are reported promptly, investigated thoroughly, and resolved in accordance with hospital policies.

Program Development & Gender Inclusion:

• Develop and coordinate programs that promote gender equality and social inclusion, particularly for women, girls, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and marginalized groups.
• Design activities and initiatives that address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, integrating these efforts into all stages of the hospital's operations, including disaster management.
• Ensure that gender and vulnerability inclusion considerations are embedded in all hospital policies and procedures.

SOPs Implementation:

• Assist in the coordinated implementation and oversight of SOPs for all protection and safeguarding activities within the hospital.

Ensure that SOPs are regularly updated and adapted to evolving legal standards and hospital operations.

Declaration:

• Our organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
• It also adheres to strict child-safeguarding principles.
• All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
• Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.