Global Head of Safeguarding & Code of Conduct

DRC Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs and we are currently looking for a highly qualified Head of Safeguarding & Code of Conduct. Are you interested in shaping how DRC prevents and responds to ethical concerns worldwide? Then you may be our coming global Head of Safeguarding & Code of Conduct in DRC.

Who are we?

The global Head of Safeguarding & Code of Conduct leads a global team currently composed of a Safeguarding (PSEAH) Global Advisor, a Code of Conduct Global Advisor as well as a full time Global Investigator and a Global Registrar. The Head of Safeguarding & Code of Conduct further technically manages the Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Coordinators in the 4 four regions and oversees and cooperates with country focal points and investigators.

About the job

As organizational lead for Safeguarding & Code of Conduct, you will be responsible for maintaining and mainstreaming an organizational culture of accountability where ethical risks are thoroughly assessed, where staff and person of concerns are protected from wrongdoing, where their complaints are welcome and appropriately handled and responded.

The position of Head of Safeguarding & Code of Conduct is a leadership position responsible for expanding and growing DRC’s approach to misconduct management across the organization using a sophisticated risk management and prioritizing human rights compliance. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Champion Safeguarding & Code of Conduct in DRC and support and keep senior management accountable in ensuring DRC is living up to our mandate, values and agreed standards.
• Ensure and support strong organizational mobilization around accountability, transparency and organizational values.
• Lead and manage the Safeguarding & Code of Conduct team and technically manage regional Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Coordinators.
• Lead and manage the Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Unit’s project portfolio.
• Lead and develop DRCs Safeguarding & Code of Conduct platforms.
• Champion and enhance organizational capability across DRC in upholding accountability.
• External engagement and representation as needed on safeguarding, inter-agency mechanisms and internal investigations.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to be an experienced and influential leader with an ambition nature to drive ethics across DRC. You need to be skilled both in building strong organizational capabilities, in leading teams and change projects, and have demonstrated experience in responding to concrete and principled personal and organizational wrongdoings. More concretely, we expect the following:

Required

• Master’s degree in relevant technical management areas (social science, criminal or human rights law, gender or gender-based violence, international affairs).  
• Extensive experience with humanitarian work with an organization covering multiple continents.
• Significant experience with complaint mechanisms and code of conduct or similar in a large, global organization, influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization and within complex contexts.
• Familiar with Safeguarding and PSEA standards, including an ability to apply a survivor-centered approach in relating with survivors of Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and in handling SH and SEA allegations, and an understanding of the international context in which this issue impacts DRC.  
• Commitment to upholding and modelling DRC’s values and Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrating integrity, diplomacy, professionalism, reliability, and resilience always.  
• Have highly developed critical analysis and reasoning skills. 
• Demonstrated skills in coordination, representation, and facilitation.
• Organized, articulate and with attention to quality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is mandatory. Additional good oral and written communication skills in French, Spanish, Arabic or Danish is also required.
• Strong leadership skills and be able to enforce Code of Conduct and safeguarding together with senior management in DRC.
• Strong computer skills, facility with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams, OneDrive, and email software.

Desirable

• Strong legal background or experience.
• Field experience as a senior manager, mostly from humanitarian and/or fragile contexts, and ideally from DRC operations.
• Fraud examiner certificate and CHS Alliance certificate on PSEA workplace investigations are plus.  
• Experience working with the UN and/or donors.

All employees are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: Permanent contract, full time 37 hours per week.

Workplace: Borgergade 10, Copenhagen, Denmark (HQ).

Start date: 1st October 2024.

The position will be based in HQ, Denmark, Copenhagen and salary and conditions will be in accordance with the agreement for managers in Denmark documented in “Lederaftalen”. The position is national, for which local Danish terms and conditions apply. 

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 20th June 2024

Further information

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Executive Director, People & Organisation, Mads Egeskov Sørensen, [email protected].

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.