Location: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (covering Bulawayo, Gwayi, Jafuta & Victoria Falls)
Contract: Full-Time
Reports to: Safeguarding Lead
Deadline: 23 July 2026
Summary
The Regional Safeguarding Officer is responsible for implementing and strengthening safeguarding systems across the assigned region, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, volunteers, consultants, and partners.
The role leads safeguarding prevention, case management, policy implementation, capacity building, and partnership development while ensuring timely and effective responses to safeguarding concerns.
Key Responsibilities
1. Safeguarding Leadership & Compliance
- Lead the implementation of safeguarding policies, procedures, and standards across all assigned hubs.
- Conduct safeguarding risk assessments and monitor compliance with organisational safeguarding requirements.
- Promote a positive safeguarding culture through continuous guidance, coaching, and support.
2. Case Management & Incident Response
- Receive, assess, and manage safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Coordinate survivor-centred referrals and develop safeguarding protection plans where appropriate.
- Maintain confidential safeguarding records and support investigations and disciplinary processes.
3. Safeguarding Prevention & Capacity Building
- Deliver safeguarding induction and refresher training for staff, consultants, volunteers, and students.
- Coordinate safeguarding awareness campaigns and ensure reporting mechanisms remain visible and accessible.
- Develop safeguarding resources, guidance materials, and learning tools to strengthen organisational capacity.
4. Student Wellbeing & Partnership Coordination
- Coordinate referrals for psychosocial support, healthcare, legal aid, disability services, and other support services.
- Build and maintain partnerships with government departments, NGOs, community organisations, and mental health service providers.
- Maintain an up-to-date safeguarding referral network across the region.
5. Monitoring, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor safeguarding trends and prepare monthly and quarterly safeguarding reports.
- Track safeguarding indicators and contribute to organisational learning and continuous improvement.
- Support safeguarding audits, compliance reviews, and implementation of recommendations.
Key Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Child Protection, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years' experience in safeguarding, child protection, social work, or a related field.
- Experience managing safeguarding cases and referrals.
- Experience delivering safeguarding training.
- Experience working with children, young people, communities, or vulnerable populations.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally.
- Professional registration with the Council of Social Workers of Zimbabwe or another relevant professional body (desirable).
- Experience working within youth development, education, TVET, or employability programmes (desirable).
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection best practices (desirable).
- Experience working on donor-funded programmes (desirable).
- Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation systems (desirable).
- Fluency in English, Shona, and Ndebele (desirable).
- Valid Zimbabwean driver's licence (desirable).
