EMERGENCY SAFEGUARDING COORDINATOR

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF. The MSF movement is built around six operational directorates. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and the mission coordination teams; together with the organizational units based in Barcelona and decentralized in Nairobi, Dakar and Amman. The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations, including the HR Department.

MAIN PURPOSE

OCBA Emergency Unit supports the MSF OCBA global vision of serving people affected by emergencies, including in the hardest-to-reach communities, with quality, responsive humanitarian aid. We aspire to ensure programs that are properly resourced, locally led and always designed and delivered in partnership with local organizations and communities. Members of OCBA Emergency Pool are specialized professionals ready to deploy to emergencies within 72 hours to support either existing country programs in their emergency response, or to initiate a new program in crisis zones.

The Safeguarding Coordinator is responsible for leading the integration of safeguarding practices (prevention, detection and survivor support) into MSF missions and programs. Working closely with all relevant departments and staff, the Safeguarding Coordinator ensures that safeguarding is understood at all levels, integrated into project activities, embedded in recruitment practices, and reflected in our engagement approach with communities and patients. Additionally, the Safeguarding Coordinator will support the mission's response to abuse, advising on a victim/survivor-centered approach. Depending on the context, this may include consultations with patients, caretakers, and community members, interactions with partners and collaborators, and networking with PSEA actors.

She/he works closely with a variety of staff, such as emergency coordinators at Mission and project level, HRCO, managers and supervisors, staff, volunteers, partners’ staff, community members, patients and caretakers when needed.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

The Safeguarding Coordinator defines and directs the implementation of a safeguarding strategy aimed at reducing the risk of abuse in the context in which he/she is deployed. He/she will work closely and transversally with all the coordination and project teams, in direct liaison with the Head of Mission.

CONTEXT OF THE POST

The SG Coordinator will be under the hierarchical supervision of the EMCO and under the functional supervision of the safeguarding advisor. Given the transversal nature of the topic, the coordinator will work very closely with FCs, PMR, HRCOs, LTL, CEHP manager and Learning Manager at mission level and may also interact with other advisors at HQ (PCA manager, Social Work MST, Behavior Team, HR).

The SG Coordinator will also mentor field management teams to support the full implementation of the prevention, detection and reporting pillars.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAIN TASKS

• Mainstream MSF OCBA’s safeguarding approach for emergency preparedness and response, and deploying as needed as part of the Emergency Response Team to ensure safeguarding is integrated at all stages and points in our emergency responses
• Conduct/support the mission and the projects to carry out safeguarding risk assessments, propose key priorities and monitor the implementation of measures aiming at preventing/reducing the occurrence of risk.
• Identify gaps in staff awareness and tailor MSF OCBA training for various contexts as needed.
• Support the establishment of proactive dialogue with staff and external partners on abuse prevention and reporting mechanisms
• In collaboration with the HR department, ensure that safeguarding is integrated into recruitment and HR practices, including measures with partner staff, daily workers.
• Support emergency team on orienting all newly hired staff, incentive workers, etc., to MSF polices, reporting pathways, and basic survivor referral and support options.
• Facilitate the adaptation of an alert and triage system as well as training of all staff on how to detect and report.
• In collaboration with EMCO and CEHP teams support the definition and implementation of a strategy for awareness raising among patients and community members on MSF commitments around safeguarding (Patient Charter) and access to feedback and complaint mechanisms.
• Strengthen staff capacity to safely report by identifying obstacles in the reporting system/channels and empower staff to safely handle/receive complaints of abuse.
• In collaboration with logistic teams ensure safe access to MSF services (structural safety, design of circuits, environmental hazards, etc.)
• Support the mission by providing advice on survivor support.
• Integrate safeguarding into partnership agreements and conversations.
• Support the mission on monitoring & evaluation and reporting of safeguarding activities, enhancing capitalization of lessons learnt and best practices.

Non-Deployment Responsibilities

When not deployed, the Safeguarding Coordinator will contribute to strengthening prevention of safeguarding concerns in our workplace and programming and promoting a culture of safe, survivor-centered reporting when abuse occur. This will include:

• Support the orientation and onboarding of new emergency staff.
• Mainstream safeguarding across all aspects of emergency preparedness and response, including adaptation of guidance, materials, and approaches to fit the unique context of emergency responses.
• Document and build good practices for integrating safeguarding into emergency responses.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote MSF values and adherence to MSF policies.
• Develop adapted practical tools, SOPs and awareness/training material for field team.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education

• Bachelor level degree or equivalent level in a field relevant to this position (e.g. law, social or organizational sciences, social work.)

Experience and skills

• 2 years’ experience in coordinating or implementing safeguarding activities with an INGO in humanitarian contexts in conflict/refugee settings.
• Experience with protection from abuse and exploitation, sexual violence in humanitarian contexts in conflict/refugee settings, and knowledge of international protection frameworks and mechanisms on safeguarding.
• Experience in protection related fields such as gender-based violence or child protection is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitation of participatory processes.
• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Commitment to people centered approaches and understanding of how to engage communities and patients and staff in a sensitive, culturally appropriate manner (mandatory).
• Proven experience in multi/interdisciplinary teamwork, excellent interpersonal skills, positive and professional attitude, ability to lead and work well in a team setting and with multiple partners.
• Experience in the development of strategies and workplans.
• Field experience in MSF missions is a strong asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English and French both verbal and written.
• Arabic or Spanish or other local languages is an asset.

CONDITIONS

• Position based in field during interventions.
• Permanent position with a minimum commitment of 1 year.
• Full-time position.
• Annual gross salary: Salary defined by the MSF-Spain salary grid: IRFFG level 12 (pool UE conditions, IRP2).
• Starting date: ASAP

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter.
• Closing date: 28th December 2025, 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

MSF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.

Médecins Sans Frontières, as a responsible employer, under the¨Ley General de la Discapacidad de 2013 (LGD)¨ invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above-mentioned position.