Risk Management and Safeguarding Program Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Coordinator to join our team at Better Cotton. The successful candidate will have a strong background in safeguarding, with experience in leading complex investigations and developing advanced training programs.

In this role, you will be responsible for driving a culture of safety and protection across our organization and its partners. You will also ensure that our strategic plans meet the Better Cotton Safeguarding framework and are fully integrated into strategic plans, meeting the highest standards of safeguarding, national and international legislation, and the specific requirements of donors, government bodies, and other stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of applying their knowledge to develop and implement organizational strategies. They will also possess excellent communication skills, with the ability to present high-level information clearly to senior audiences.

Key Responsibilities

1. Safeguarding Champion: Act as a champion for safeguarding at Better Cotton Pakistan, driving a culture of safety and protection across the organization and its partners.
2. Strategic Planning: Ensure that Better Cotton Pakistan's strategic plans meet the Better Cotton Safeguarding framework and are fully integrated into strategic plans, meeting the highest standards of safeguarding, national and international legislation, and the specific requirements of donors, government bodies, and other stakeholders.
3. Training and Development: Lead the development of advanced, Pakistan-specific safeguarding training programs, continuously enhancing capacity across Pakistan teams and partners through comprehensive training, awareness sessions, and specialized workshops.
4. Partner Support: Provide high-level guidance to partners on enhancing their safeguarding practices, ensuring alignment with corrective action plans, due diligence standards, and regulatory requirements.
5. Country-Specific Initiatives: Work with the Safeguarding Manager on country-specific safeguarding initiatives, including high-level risk assessments, survivor support strategies, and large-scale awareness-raising campaigns.
6. HOTLINE MANAGEMENT: Manage a Safeguarding hotline in Pakistan and develop and maintain a network of qualified investigators for prompt deployment when needed.
7. Investigations: Lead or co-lead safeguarding investigations, acting as a senior investigator or Investigations Manager, ensuring all incidents are handled with the utmost care, confidentiality, and professionalism, while ensuring survivors receive necessary support services.
8. Servicing as Point of Contact: Serve as the point of contact for safeguarding matters, offering expert-level guidance to staff, partners, stakeholders, and external parties on complex safeguarding issues and incidents.
9. Complaints Management: Oversee the management of complaints, working closely with the Complaints Monitoring Team to manage all complaints related to Pakistan, including reviewing complaints received in the inbox.
10. External Investigator Engagement: Lead the process of engaging and managing external investigators for complex cases, including drafting high-level TORs, managing contracts, and overseeing payment processes.
11. Pakistan Compliance: Ensure the Pakistan team's full compliance with Better Cotton's safeguarding policies, as well as key procedures related to Internet Usage, Whistleblowing, Code of Conduct, Risk Management, and Fraud Prevention.
12. Legal Obligations: Ensure that Better Cotton Pakistan meets its obligations to legal authorities concerning safeguarding and child protection.
13. Risk Management Framework: Manage and oversee Better Cotton Pakistan's risk management framework, ensuring that risk registers are regularly reviewed, updated, and that mitigation strategies are effectively implemented.
14. Insurance Review: Review the insurance policies that Better Cotton Pakistan has in place and identify and remedy any gaps.

About You

• Education: Advanced degree or equivalent work experience in law, international development, social studies, or a related discipline, with a specific focus on safeguarding or child protection.
• Experience: At least 5-7 years of advisor or specialist level experience in safeguarding, protection, or related fields, preferably within NGOs, international organizations, government agencies, or security firms.
• Investigation Experience: Extensive experience in leading complex safeguarding investigations, including handling financial misconduct, and other sensitive issues.
• Data Management: Demonstrable experience working with safeguarding data management systems, including the ability to analyze complex safeguarding and legislative data sets and produce high-level reports for decision-makers.
• Safeguarding Legislation: In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies, procedures, and international standards, with a proven track record of applying this knowledge to develop and implement organizational strategies.
• L&D Expertise: Strong experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating large-scale learning and development initiatives, including blended learning solutions and digital training content.
• Leadership Skills: Highly solution-oriented with proven ability to manage high-stakes, high-pressure situations, demonstrating sound judgment, strategic thinking, and leadership.
• Emotional Resilience: Exceptional ability to develop innovative solutions to complex safeguarding challenges, applying both creative and practical approaches.
• Global Leadership: Extensive experience in leading and implementing safeguarding strategies across multiple countries or regions, ensuring consistent and effective practices.
• Cross-Cultural Competence: Proven leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, drive organizational change, and lead safeguarding initiatives across the organization and partner networks.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate at a senior level across multiple teams and diverse cultures, both in-person and through virtual platforms, building and maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting high-level information clearly to senior audiences, boards, and external stakeholders.
• IT Proficiency: Proficient in the use of advanced IT tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and data analysis software.
• Language Skills: Fluent in English, with excellent presentation skills, including the ability to lead senior-level training and deliver visually compelling presentations to large groups.
• Masters Degree: Master's degree in law, international development, social studies, or a related field, with a focus on safeguarding or protection.
• International Experience: Extensive experience working in international, multi-cultural environments with a focus on safeguarding and protection.
• Knowledge of Livelihoods: Knowledge of livelihoods, decent work initiatives, and legal frameworks related to safeguarding practices in complex settings.
• Legal Expertise: Legal expertise in safeguarding, human rights, or child protection issues, providing a solid foundation for managing complex legal safeguarding cases.
• Local Language: Knowledge of local languages (Urdu, Saraiki, Pushto, Sindhi etc).
• Pakistan Origin: Candidates with Pakistan origin.