Program Officer -Safeguarding & ISO Certification

• The Regional Safeguarding Officer will lead the implementation, monitoring, and strengthening of safeguarding systems across the KT operations.
• Continuous review of the Standard Operating Procedures of our ISO 45001, 9001, 14001 standards.
• To ensure that all project activities comply to the ISO Standard 450001 on occupational health and safety for participants engaged in the WYEEFIMA and other KT projects.
• Provide strategic guidance, technical support, and oversight to ensure safeguarding principles are integrated into all aspects of project planning, implementation, and monitoring across the participating countries.
• The Safeguarding Officer will promote safe participation, prevent abuse, exploitation, harassment, and discrimination, and ensure accessible reporting and response mechanisms for safeguarding concerns.
• Implement the KT safeguarding policy and ensure compliance in collaboration with all CTLs, Program Leads and Staff

• Lead the implementation of safeguarding policies and frameworks across the project's operations in the three participating EAC countries.
• Provide strategic guidance to project leadership and country teams on safeguarding risks and mitigation measures.
• Ensure safeguarding principles are mainstreamed into project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop and periodically update safeguarding action plans aligned with organizational and donor safeguarding standards.
• Operationalize the KT safeguarding policy and strategy

• Ensure KT ISO Certification is communicated, tracked and incidents reported
• Develop appropriate tracking mechanisms for ISO compliance across KT operations
• Periodically train staff, suppliers and partners on best practices to ensure compliance
• Maintain appropriate records for ISO compliance across KT projects
• Develop ISO compliance analytics and reports for KT management and KT Board of Trustees.

• Conduct safeguarding risk assessments across project sites including fish landing sites, markets, border points, and trade corridors.
• Identify risks particularly affecting women and youth engaged in cross-border fish trade.
• Develop mitigation strategies and integrate safeguarding risk management into operational plans.
• Monitor emerging safeguarding risks within cross-border trade environments and recommend corrective actions.
• Assess safeguarding risks for all other KT operations and develop action plans to mitigate them

• Ensure compliance with organizational safeguarding policies, including prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), protection from harassment, and child protection where applicable.
• Support country teams and partners to operationalize safeguarding standards in project implementation.
• Ensure that all staff, consultants, partners, and volunteers understand and adhere to safeguarding obligations.

• Design and deliver safeguarding training programs for staff, implementing partners, community leaders, and project participants.
• Strengthen safeguarding awareness among women and youth involved in fish trade across border markets and landing sites.
• Develop and disseminate safeguarding awareness materials tailored to the cross-border trading context.
• Build the capacity of country-level safeguarding focal points to support implementation and monitoring.

• Establish and strengthen confidential and accessible safeguarding reporting mechanisms across project locations.
• Receive and manage safeguarding complaints in line with survivor-centered principles and confidentiality standards.
• Coordinate appropriate referrals to relevant service providers, including psychosocial, legal, and protection services.
• Ensure timely documentation, investigation support, and follow-up of safeguarding concerns in accordance with policy.

• Monitor safeguarding compliance across KT operational areas, activities, partners, and field operations.
• Conduct regular safeguarding field visits and compliance assessments across KT countries.
• Integrate safeguarding indicators into project monitoring and reporting mechanisms including donor reports, Board reports and internal audit reports.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to improve safeguarding systems across KT projects including WYEEFIMA project.

• Work closely with project teams, government agencies, and cross-border authorities to strengthen safeguarding standards in alignment with KT policy
• Collaborate with women's groups, youth networks, fisheries associations, and community organizations to promote safe participation in trade.
• Engage with regional safeguarding and protection networks where relevant
• Support safeguarding coordination with relevant national institutions and regulatory authorities.

• Support due diligence processes to ensure safeguarding standards are integrated into partner agreements.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners to strengthen their safeguarding systems.
• Ensure safeguarding compliance in procurement processes and contractual agreements.

• Risk assessment reports for all KT programs and projects, developed and published among country teams.
• ISO compliance reports submitted to KT management and Board of Trustees
• At least 1 Safeguarding training session held in each of the KT countries for staff, partners, and beneficiaries.
• At least 1 ISO Certification training session held in each of the KT countries for staff, partners, and beneficiaries.
• ISO compliance assessments routinely conducted
• The KT safeguarding tracking and reporting mechanism established.
• The KT ISO Compliance tracking and reporting mechanism established.
• Safeguarding compliance monitoring reports developed and submitted.
• Documentation of safeguarding incidents and follow-up actions in line with KT policy.

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in ISO Certification, safeguarding, protection, gender equality, or social development programming.
• Demonstrated experience managing safeguarding or protection systems within regional or multi-country development programs is a MUST.
• Professional training or In-depth knowledge of the ISO 9001 for Quality Management, ISO 45001 on Occupational Health and Safety and ISO 14001; is highly desired.
• Experience working with economic empowerment programs, particularly in fisheries, agriculture, or trade sectors is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding standards including PSEA, gender-based violence prevention, and protection principles.
• Experience working with international NGOs, regional organizations, or donor-funded programs is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience tracking, reporting and managing safeguarding programs under similar conditions.
• Practical Work experience in EAC countries is an added advantage

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