Safeguarding & Investigation Specialist

Position Name: Safeguarding & Investigation Specialist (National Position)

Starting from: November 2025

Duty Station: Amuda (NES)

Closing date of the vacancy: 30th October 2025 (applications on a rolling basis)Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an Italian NGO aiming at preventing armed conflicts, protecting human rights and support local civil society, especially in the Middle East, by promoting the nexus between its humanitarian, peacebuilding and development programs.

Since 2015, UPP has been one of the leading INGOs in the North East Syria (NES) response, providing humanitarian aid and capacity building of local actors in Health and Protection as well as environmental health, including waste management. In partnership with local partners, UPP has been able to develop a comprehensive system of health services delivered in 26 facilities, including mobile units, hospitals, primary health care centres, and an ambulance network. For further information please refer to our website: www.unponteper.it/en/

Un Ponte Per is looking for a Safeguarding Investigation Specialist mainly based in Amude, but available to travel in other locations throught Syria, if required.

The position ensures that all allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), Sexual Harassment (SH), and Child Abuse are managed and investigated in a professional, survivor/child - centered, and confidential manner. The Specialist supports prevention, response, and capacity-building efforts for UPP and its implementing partners, in alignment with UPP’s safeguarding policies and international standards.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Case Management and Investigation

• Manage and conduct investigations with UPP and partner identified focal points:
• Receive and document safeguarding complaints confidentially
• Conduct and/or oversee internal investigations in line with UPP and CHS Alliance standards.
• Prepare Investigation plans, evidence assessments, and Investigations and Management Advisory Reports with recommendations.
• Maintain secure case files and data in compliance with UPP procedures and data protection principles.
• Referring survivors and other persons of concern in the scope of Investigations for immediate assistance in collaboration with Protection Department.

2. Capacity Building

• Support and train partners on safeguarding and safe and ethical investigations procedures.
• Draft capacity building plans and material on safeguarding topics in collaboration with HQ Safeguarding Expert, HR and Protection Department.

3. Prevention and Awareness

• Promote safeguarding including PSEAH and Child Safeguarding standards across all offices, partners, and contractors.
• Support HR and management to strengthen local safeguarding standards and procedures including safe recruitment, staff induction, and disciplinary measures.
• Support Security and Programmes in conducting safeguarding risk assessments and prevention plans.
• Ensure safe, accessible, and confidential reporting mechanisms for communities and staff in collaboration with HR, Programmes and MEAL departments.

4. Coordination and Reporting

• Liaise with the HQ Safeguarding Expert, Country Representative, and HR to ensure consistent implementation of UPP and donor safeguarding procedures and reporting.
• Participate actively in the PSEAH Network and related Inter-Agency coordination platforms.
• Track and report on safeguarding cases, trends, and prevention activities.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Social Work, Psychology, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field and/or relevant Safeguarding Certifications.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in safeguarding, investigations within humanitarian or development settings.
• Proven experience in conducting sensitive investigations, including interviewing survivors and witnesses.
• Strong understanding of PSEAH, GBV, Child Protection, and Code of Conduct standards.
• Experience working with confidential data and applying survivor-centered approaches.
• Familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms and safeguarding networks.

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Inter-cultural and gender sensitivity, integrity, and respect for confidentiality;
• Ability to manage complex and sensitive cases under pressure.
• Skilled in capacity-building and delivering safeguarding training.

UPP requires criminal background check certificate (released max 3 months before the date of job offer) to confirm a job offer. We are aware that in some countries the release of criminal background certificate by the competent authorities might require several weeks. However, UPP runs selections to deploy staff in emergency programs and time-lapse between job offer and field deployment is often very short. Thus, we kindly ask all candidates to get prepared on time and be able to submit their certificate promptly in case of success in the selection.

Desirable Skills

• Certified training in safeguarding investigations, CHS, or GBV case management.
• Knowledge of referral pathways and psychological first aid.
• Experience working with local partners and community-based complaint mechanisms.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Un Ponte Per is an International NGO committed to diversity and inclusion within its teams, in line with the principle of non-discrimination. UPP encourages all candidates irrespective of gender, religion and ethnicity including persons with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization.

Ethical Conduct

UPP upholds all the minimum standards in terms of Ethical Conduct and strives to increase its standards over the minimum. Zero tolerance is reserved to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and to Child Abuse, Violence, Harm, Injury and Negligence. UPP participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, therefore, any candidate assures that s/he has never breached any standard in terms of SEA and Child Safeguarding and that s/he will not in the future. UPP will conduct extensive reference check and vetting on shortlisted candidates that might compromise candidates’ privacy. Shortlisted candidates shall promptly provide an up-to-date criminal background check. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

How to apply

If interested, please apply at the following link:SAFEGUARDING & INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST (NATIONAL POSITION) | Un Ponte Per