Safeguarding Adviser

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: Damascus, Syria

Duration: 15 months

Background
The Aid Fund for Northern Syria (AFNS) is dedicated to protecting affected populations and ensuring all its activities adhere to the highest safeguarding standards. To achieve this, AFNS requires the support of a safeguarding adviser with extensive experience working with Syrian NGOs, INGOs, local actors, and communities to strengthen safeguarding measures and practices within its operations.

Objective
The Safeguarding Adviser is responsible for ensuring the Fund operates in a safe and protective environment, free from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in all its forms. The Adviser will regularly update and implement the Fund’s Safeguarding Strategy by fostering a culture and environment free from sexual exploitation, violence, abuse, and harassment to protect all those who engage with our work. They will ensure safeguarding is governed and accountable, which includes developing and implementing safeguarding policies and procedures in line with global standards, such as the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). They will collaborate with all AFNS units to embed safeguarding in programmatic practices.

Availability
The Adviser must be available to serve on the programme between March 2025 and May 2026, for a maximum duration of 265 working days, with an average of up to 18 working days per month. The level of effort may vary monthly, but the total number of days for the role will remain fixed.

Key Responsibilities

Regularly Review and Promote Safeguarding Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures

• Continuously review and actively promote safeguarding standards, including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), within the FMA and the Fund’s partners.
• Ensure the AFNS Safeguarding Policy is regularly updated, effectively implemented across all programming, and communicated to all FMA staff and AFNS partners.
• Collaborate with AFNS units to meet funder requirements and ensure safeguarding measures are in place with all implementing partners.
• Contribute to creating a positive image and overall credibility of the Fund by adhering to the Code of Conduct and humanitarian principles.

Monitoring and Investigations

• Monitor safeguarding and other inboxes, escalating allegations in a timely manner to the Executive Director (ED) and Senior Programme Manager (SPM).
• Provide regular updates regarding allegations and cases to the ASI HQ Safeguarding Lead.
• Oversee investigations led by AFNS partners or, when necessary, lead or commission external support for these investigations and review investigation reports.
• Ensure oversight of safeguarding and PSEAH concerns, including the response and reporting processes for those engaged in AFNS-funded activities.
• Support the management of safeguarding investigations, ensure quality assurance, and oversee the use of the Fund’s case management systems and processes.

Capacity Building

• Develop and implement training, awareness initiatives, and other measures to strengthen reporting structures within the Fund and among partners, addressing gaps identified in Due Diligence and Capacity Assessments (DDCAs).
• Ensure safeguarding focal points are appointed across all partners and work with technical teams to ensure all allocation evaluations incorporate the latest protection and safeguarding practices.
• Create a safeguarding community of practice to enhance protection and response mechanisms in ongoing projects.
• Support and influence AFNS partners to establish risk assurance processes that are contextual and fit for purpose.

Risk Assessment and Safe Programming

• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential safeguarding vulnerabilities in AFNS-supported projects.
• Advise partners on integrating safeguarding measures into project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Ensure the principle of “Do No Harm” is incorporated into all activities.

Reporting

• Respond to safeguarding and PSEAH concerns.
• Operate and update the AFNS case management system based on reports received.
• Prepare case summaries and reports for the FCDO, Reporting Concerns, and the AFNS Steering Board at regular intervals.
• Ensure all key deliverables include updated safeguarding information for external stakeholders and internal teams.
• Produce reports on safeguarding concerns and trends to identify key risks and develop responsive strategies to mitigate them.

Job requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in social work, international development, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5–10 years of experience in safeguarding within humanitarian or development settings, with a focus on Syria.
• Demonstrated expertise in working with INGOs, local actors, and community-based organisations in Syria.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding principles, including PSEAH, and relevant international standards.
• Proven experience in capacity building, training delivery, and community engagement.
• Fluency in Arabic and strong proficiency in English.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.

Note: As safeguarding is integral to AFNS programming, the Safeguarding Adviser may be required to undertake additional related tasks not currently detailed here. These tasks will be communicated by the ED, in line with the allocated days for the role.