Senior Safeguard Specialist

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Senior Safeguard Specialist
Sector: Social Delivery Service
Position Type: Long term
Duration/Level of Effort: Full time
Position Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contractual arrangement: “Eligible for Cambodian residents/citizens only”
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next four years, with a possible three-year extension.
 
The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE).
 
CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does.
 
The Senior Safeguard Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring adherence to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)’s and CAPRED’s safeguarding policies, particularly concerning Child Protection (CP), Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), modern slavery, and overall risk mitigation. Safeguarding is critical component of the overall CAPRED’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The Senior Safeguard Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring safeguarding policies across all CAPRED activities and downstream partners. This includes ensuring DFAT compliance, conducting risk assessments, training staff and partners, and strengthening reporting mechanisms for safeguarding concerns.
 
The role demands technical expertise in safeguarding, an ability to work with diverse stakeholders, and proactive leadership to create a culture of zero tolerance for harm.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership

• Ensure CAPRED’s compliance with DFAT and CAPRED’s policies on Child Protection, PSEAH, Modern Slavery, and other social safeguarding.
• Update safeguarding frameworks, where necessary, ensuring integration into CAPRED’s operations, policies, and programming.
• Lead the implementation and monitoring of CAPRED’s safeguarding policies, especially Child Protection and PSEAH policies.
• Oversee internal compliance audits/review and risk (re)assessments to identify safeguarding gaps and recommend corrective actions.

Technical
Capacity Building & Training

• Design and deliver regular training and awareness sessions for staff, partners, and stakeholders on safeguarding policies and DFAT compliance.
• Provide technical guidance to program teams on embedding safeguarding best practices in CAPRED initiatives.
• Manage relevant third-party training service provider(s) to ensure quality and effectiveness of safeguarding implementation.

Risk Management & Incident Response

• Conduct risk assessments for CAPRED activities and ensure mitigation strategies are in place.
• Develop incident reporting mechanisms and ensure staff and partners understand reporting procedures.
• Oversee the confidential handling of safeguarding incidents, ensuring appropriate response protocols are followed.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to investigate and address safeguarding violations.

Safeguard Performance Evaluation and Reporting

• Develop a performance measurement framework to track safeguarding compliance and impact.
• Ensure regular reporting on safeguarding risks, incidents, and corrective measures to CAPRED management and DFAT.
• Document, prepare and present periodic safeguarding reports/risk register for internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as CAPRED’s focal point for safeguarding engagements with DFAT, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners.
• Coordinate with other CAPRED resources to ensure a robust implementation of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).
• Coordinate with internal (Cowater) risk committee and external social service providers when necessary to ensure appropriate case handling.
• Commitment to championing environmental sustainability and climate action across the Facility.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Social Work, Law, Human Rights, International Development, or a related field (Postgraduate qualifications preferred).
• Minimum 8 years of experience in safeguarding, child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), or PSEAH within an international development, NGO, or government setting. Experience working with complex sector and difference stakeholders in child protection and PSHEA is preferable.
• Strong knowledge of DFAT safeguarding policies (Child Protection and PSEAH).
• Experience in policy implementation, compliance monitoring, and risk assessments with complexity program.
• Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity among staff and partners.
• Experience handling safeguarding incidents with confidentiality and ethical sensitivity.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with government agencies, NGOs, development and private sector partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in Cambodia or Southeast Asia on safeguarding-related initiatives.
• Knowledge of gender equality, disability inclusion, and social protection policies.
• Familiarity with international safeguarding standards (e.g., UN, WHO, IASC).
• This is a full-time position with attractive monthly remuneration package being commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 27 July 2025.
 
Please send your cover letter and CV with your name and contact details (phone and email) to recruitment@capred.org mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line “Senior Safeguard Specialist”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. Preferred candidates will subsequently be asked to provide three professional referees and their expected remuneration.

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.
 
Equal Opportunity: 
Women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring based on merit and qualifications. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2,500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
 
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.