Safeguarding Manager

Role Overview

AMI is seeking a Safeguarding Manager to help ensure that safeguarding is built into the planning and delivery of its programmes across multiple African countries. The role combines policy and risk oversight with practical support for programme teams and partners, from initial checks and participant onboarding to incident response and funder reporting. By turning contractual obligations into clear controls and maintaining reliable evidence of how they are applied, the manager helps protect participants, staff and partners while supporting accountable programme delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Review AMI’s safeguarding-related policies and controls, including codes of conduct, whistleblowing, recruitment, procurement, travel and data protection, and recommend a consistent organisational framework.
• Maintain safeguarding procedures, reporting routes, escalation arrangements and secure case-management practices; raise serious concerns independently when ordinary reporting lines may be unsuitable.
• Assess risks by programme and location, then work with programme leads to put proportionate safeguards into registration, selection, training, coaching, fieldwork, online engagement and monitoring activities.
• Translate funder agreements and partner standards into a clear obligations register covering required controls, supporting evidence, reporting deadlines, notification routes and accountable owners.
• Oversee the safe handling of concerns, including initial risk assessment, referrals, notifications and case follow-up; apply survivor-centred, trauma-informed practice and engage specialist investigators or authorities where appropriate.
• Check partner, contractor and consultant safeguarding arrangements, agree improvements where standards are not met, and help programme teams follow through on corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver safeguarding guidance and training for staff, facilitators, coaches, enumerators, partners and participants, addressing topics such as SEAH, boundaries, consent, disclosures and safe reporting.
• Maintain risk, training, partner-assessment and corrective-action records, and report emerging patterns, compliance gaps and improvement priorities to programme leadership and Risk & Compliance.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, law, psychology, sociology, human rights, international development, public health or a related field. A specialist safeguarding or PSEA qualification is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, including five or more years focused on safeguarding in donor-funded programmes and experience reporting directly to a funder.
• Practical experience overseeing safeguarding incidents within fixed reporting deadlines, documenting cases carefully and applying survivor-centred approaches.
• Experience developing safeguarding policies, risk assessments, checklists and training materials, as well as reviewing the systems of implementing partners.
• Strong knowledge of PSEA/SEAH, safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults, confidential referral pathways and appropriate handling of sensitive information.
• Ability to interpret donor agreements and turn their requirements into workable programme controls, compliance plans and clear funder reports.
• Confidence delivering training to partner organisations and constructively challenging partners when safeguards or supporting evidence are inadequate.
• Excellent judgement, discretion, integrity, written communication and cross-cultural collaboration skills, with the ability to work remotely alongside teams across several African countries.
• Experience in enterprise development or MSME support is desirable. Familiarity with safeguarding practice in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone or Rwanda is beneficial.
• Knowledge of Acumen or Mastercard Foundation safeguarding requirements is an added advantage.