Safeguarding at USAID: Partner Toolkit

INTRODUCTION

USAID is committed to achieving our mission to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance.

Achieving this mission requires USAID and its implementing partners to first and foremost “do no harm,” and moving beyond that, integrate thorough and effective safeguarding regimes throughout our operations and programming to protect the very people we intend to help from any harm. Safeguarding refers to the implementation of preventative, protection, and compliance measures for populations that may be at increased risk of harm. Effective safeguarding is a necessary enabling factor for our mission—it is not just what we do, but how we do it. USAID is committed to working with stakeholders across the aid sector to fulfill our collective responsibility for preventing and responding to critical safeguarding issues.

USAID’s Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP), and Child Safeguarding policies and related requirements exemplify our commitment to safeguarding. Taken together and applied effectively, these frameworks can strengthen safeguarding and protections across our programs for vulnerable populations.

The Partner Toolkit provides additional guidance and tools to our implementing partners around specific safeguarding issues. The Toolkit does not supplant USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) requirements or the terms and conditions in implementing partner acquisition and assistance awards. Implementing partners should make sure to regularly consult their safeguarding-specific award requirements to ensure compliance.

The Partner Toolkit is composed of four sections, including one overarching safeguarding section and three devoted to a specific safeguarding area: (1) PSEA, (2) Child Safeguarding, and (3) C-TIP. In addition to USAID-specific guidance, the Partner Toolkit includes references to external safeguarding resources that may be of assistance to our implementing partners as they seek to implement effective safeguarding regimes.*

The Partner Toolkit is intended to be a living tool which will be updated periodically in response to conversations with our implementing partners and the broader international community, in line with best practices around collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA). Please contact safeguarding@usaid.gov with questions, comments, or suggestions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safeguarding 

1. Frequently Asked Questions

2. Safeguarding Handout

3. Reporting Flowchart

4. Safeguarding Standard Operating Procedures for USAID Staff

5. Safeguarding Case Studies

6. Safeguarding Implementation Considerations

7. Safeguarding Award Requirements

   • Award Requirements Fact Sheet

   • Safeguarding Against Exploitation, Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, and Child Neglect Provision (Grants): U.S. NGOs M27, Non-U.S. NGOs M25, Fixed Amount Award Recipients M13

   • PSEAH (PIOs): UN and non-UN (M19 and M19-alt) 

   • Child Safeguarding (Contracts): AIDAR 752.7037

   • C-TIP Provisions (Grants): U.S. NGOs M20, Non-U.S. NGOs M15, Fixed Amount Award Recipients M6

   • C-TIP Clause (Contracts): FAR 22.1705

   • Employee Misconduct (Contracts): AIDAR 752.7013

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse 

1. PSEA Policy

2. Frequently Asked Questions

3. Roadmap to Employment Accountability

4. External Resources

   • Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub

   • OECD-Development Assistance Committee Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance: Key Pillars of Prevention and Response

   • CHS Alliance: Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Investigation Guide: Recommended Practice for the Humanitarian and Development Sector & Investigator’s Toolkit

   • CHS Alliance: Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

   • Interaction: No Excuse for Abuse Video on IASC Six Core Principles (available in multiple languages)

   • Interaction: Core Standards for Survivor-Centered Support of SEAH

   • IASC Six Core Principles on SEA (2019)

   • IASC: Minimum Operating Standards on PSEA

   • IASC: Definition & Principles of a Victim/Survivor Centered Approach

   • IASC: Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Risk Overview (SEARO)

   • Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability

   • PSEA Implementation Quick Reference Handbook

   • Translators Without Borders: Six Core SEA Principles Translations

   • UNICEF: PSEA Practical Guide and Toolkit for Partners 

   • Open Learn: Safeguarding in the International Aid Sector

Child Safeguarding

1. Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for Children to Thrive 2024-2029 

2. Frequently Asked Questions

3. External Resources

   • Keeping Children Safe Standards

Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP)

1. USAID Counter-Trafficking in Persons Policy

2. USAID One Pager on C-TIP

3. USAID C-TIP Field Guide

4. Integration of C-TIP into other Sectors

5. OMB Anti-Trafficking Risk Management Best Practices & Mitigation Considerations

6. DOL Bureau of International Labor Affairs Tools

7. DOS and Verité Responsible Sourcing Tool

*The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. USAID does not exercise editorial control over any of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this webpage.