Main Responsibilities
- Conduct an organizational assessment of existing policies and practices related to safeguarding.
- Develop and finalize a PSEA/SH policy tailored to Progynist Ethiopia’s operational context.
- Establish clear procedures for incident reporting and response.
- Facilitate workshops to raise awareness of safeguarding standards among stakeholders.
- Support the integration of the PSEA/SH policy into programmatic activities and organizational operations.
- Deliver staff training on PSEA/SH principles, reporting mechanisms, and implementation practices.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate University Degree (or equivalent) in Gender Studies, International Development, or related fields.
- At least 3 years of experience in policy development, safeguarding, or gender-based violence prevention.
- Expertise in developing PSEA/SH policies and safeguarding frameworks.
- Knowledge of international safeguarding standards and best practices.
- Strong facilitation and capacity-building skills.
- Familiarity with Ethiopia’s legal and cultural context regarding safeguarding and gender issues is an asset.
- Amharic language is an asset
Project description and context:
Crossroads International will engage Canadians, Canadian stakeholders, Crossroads staff and volunteers, local partner organizations and women and men in sub-Saharan Africa to become Gender Equality Champions both in Canada and overseas.
The Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) aims to reduce gender inequalities and alleviate poverty by addressing gender-based violence, inequalities in access to resources and economic opportunities, and barriers in exercising strategic forms of choice, voice, and influence.
Description of the partner
Progynist Ethiopia, a leading organization advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment, recognizes the urgent need to align with international safeguarding standards and ensure organizational integrity in preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEA/SH). Sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment within workplaces and program environments undermine organizational credibility, compromise staff and beneficiary safety, and disrupt program delivery. While Progynist Ethiopia is committed to creating safe spaces, the absence of a comprehensive PSEA/SH policy and clear reporting procedures poses significant risks to the organization’s operations and mission.
Description the volunteer mandate
This mandate focuses on developing a comprehensive PSEA/SH policy tailored to Progynist Ethiopia’s organizational and operational realities. The volunteer will begin by conducting an organizational assessment to identify existing safeguarding practices, challenges, and opportunities. This assessment will provide the foundation for developing a robust framework that includes prevention measures, incident reporting mechanisms, response protocols, and accountability systems. The policy will align with global safeguarding standards, ensuring Progynist Ethiopia’s compliance with donor requirements and best practices.
To ensure the successful adoption of the PSEA/SH framework, the mandate will include capacity-building activities for staff and leadership. Tailored training sessions and workshops will raise awareness of safeguarding principles, zero-tolerance policies, and appropriate procedures for reporting and responding to incidents. These sessions will empower staff to implement the policy effectively, fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and safety throughout the organization. Clear communication of roles and responsibilities will help establish trust and encourage a proactive approach to safeguarding.
The volunteer will also support the integration of safeguarding practices into Progynist Ethiopia’s programs and day-to-day operations. By embedding safeguarding principles across all levels of the organization, the mandate will ensure that staff, beneficiaries, and stakeholders understand and uphold the policy. Additionally, clear and accessible reporting procedures will be established to strengthen accountability and transparency, ensuring that all incidents are addressed appropriately and consistently.
Eligibility criteria
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- Be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Willing to conduct fundraising and public engagement activities before, during and after the placement
- Share the commitment of preventing and addressing sexual misconduct
- In good physical and mental health (medical examination required)
- The volunteer needs to bring their own computer.
- The volunteer must be available to attend an online pre-departure training.
Personalized support before, during and after the mandate provided by an experienced and welcoming team. The Crossroads’ experience includes the following:
- Daily living allowance (depending of the country of assignment)
- Plane ticket and local transport
- Pre-assignment online training.
Crossroads International is committed to addressing gender-based violence by supporting the innovative work our partner organizations in ending violence against women and girls.
APPLICATION
To apply for this position, we kindly ask that you fill out Crossroads’ online application form.
Please contact our volunteer mobilization team if you have any question: volunteer@cintl.org
We thank all applicants but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
