Safeguarding Officer at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

A worldwide movement

MSF was founded in Paris, France in 1971. Its principles are described in the organisation’s founding charter. It is a non-profit, self-governed organisation.

Today, MSF is a worldwide movement of 24 associations, bound together as MSF International, based in Switzerland.

Thousands of health professionals, logistical and administrative staff – most of whom are hired locally – work on programmes in some 70 countries worldwide.

Humanitarian action

MSF’s work is based on humanitarian principles. We are committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.

MSF operates independently. We conduct our own evaluations on the ground to determine people’s needs. More than 90 per cent of our overall funding comes from millions of private sources, not governments.

MSF is neutral. We do not take sides in armed conflicts, we provide care on the basis of need, and we push for independent access to victims of conflict as required under international humanitarian law.

Bearing witness and speaking out

MSF medical teams often witness violence and neglect in the course of their work, largely in regions that receive scant international attention.

At times, MSF may speak out publicly in an effort to bring a forgotten crisis to public attention, to alert the public to abuses occurring beyond the headlines, to criticise the inadequacies of the aid system, or to challenge the diversion of humanitarian aid for political interests.

Quality medical care

MSF rejects the idea that poor people deserve third-rate medical care and strives to provide high-quality care to patients. In 1999, when MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the organisation announced the money would go towards raising awareness of and fighting against neglected diseases.

Through the Access Campaign, and in partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, this work has helped lower the price of HIV/AIDS treatment and stimulated research and development for medicines to treat malaria and neglected diseases like sleeping sickness and kala azar.Main Purpose

In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and under the technical supervision of the Safeguarding Supervisor / Safeguarding (SG) Coordinator, the Safeguarding Officer supports the implementation of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)’s Safeguarding framework and Behavioural Commitments at the project level.
The role contributes to abuse prevention and the promotion of ethical conduct through awareness activities, context analysis, identification of risks and barriers to reporting, and strengthening of safe and accessible feedback and complaint mechanisms.
The Safeguarding Officer promotes a safe environment for staff, patients, partners, and communities in line with MSF values and principles.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Prevention & Awareness:

Conduct awareness sessions for MSF staff (national and international), Ministry of Health (MoH) staff, and suppliers on:

MSF Behavioural Commitments
Abuse prevention (sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, discrimination, power abuse)
Individual and institutional responsibilities
Reporting procedures and available complaint mechanisms

Sensitize patients, caretakers, and community representatives on:

Their rights and expected behaviour when accessing MSF services
Expected behaviour of MSF and MoH staff
How and where to safely raise concerns

Context & Risk Analysis:

Analyse existing sensitivities, knowledge gaps, cultural barriers, and fears related to feedback and complaint mechanisms.
Support safeguarding risk analysis at the project level and contribute to mitigation planning.
Identify obstacles preventing reporting and propose practical improvements.
Map local NGOs or associations working on abuse prevention or sexual harassment (where relevant), in collaboration with the Safeguarding Supervisor/Coordinator.

Reporting & Complaint Mechanisms:

Support the establishment and monitoring of safe, confidential, and accessible complaint channels.
Raise awareness on how to receive complaints in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
Ensure staff understand referral pathways without directly handling case management (unless formally mandated).
Provide regular feedback to the Safeguarding Coordinator on gaps or weaknesses in reporting systems.

Capacity Building:

Facilitate workshops and participatory sessions adapted to project realities.
Contribute to building a culture of respectful and accountable behaviour within the project.

Monitoring & Reporting:

Conduct regular follow-up of safeguarding activities within the project.
Produce monthly activity reports covering:

Awareness sessions conducted
Key themes and concerns raised
Identified risks and barriers
Status of complaint mechanisms
Recommendations for improvement

Collaboration:

Work closely with:

Project Coordinator and Project Medical Referent
HR Team
Community Engagement Teams
MoH counterparts (where relevant)
Safeguarding Officer / Safeguarding Team

Minimum Required Skills and Qualifications
Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Law, Education, Social Communication, Psychology, or a related field (desirable).

Experience:

Minimum of 1–2 years’ experience in:

Social work, community engagement, safeguarding, or rights-based organizations
Abuse prevention or gender-based violence programming (asset)
Facilitating group discussions or awareness sessions

Humanitarian experience is an asset

Language:

Proficiency in English and Igbo
Knowledge of local languages spoken within the project context is mandatory

Competencies:

Strong facilitation and communication skills
Ability to manage sensitive topics confidentially
Cultural sensitivity and high ethical standards
Ability to work independently and maintain neutrality
Capacity to build trust with staff and communities

Additional Requirements:

Commitment to the values and principles of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Ability to travel within the project area if required
Preferably, experience working with women’s groups or vulnerable communities (where contextually relevant).