Safeguarding Implementation Considerations

Is there a strong system of internal controls, including:

• Creation and publication of a code of conduct, and

• Strategies for (1) awareness of stakeholders; (2) sub-awardee compliance; and (3) how exploitation and abuse are prevented, detected, addressed, and resolved.

Are the prohibited activities and related policies clearly communicated and enforceable? Are staff required to sign a code of conduct or similar policy?

How are safeguarding considerations integrated into programming, compliance, organizational values, and human-resources processes? 

Have there been efforts to build staff capacity if the organization is new, or working with new or small partners?

How is the project risk assessment specific and relevant to the country, region, and program?

How do the various factors, including the following, contribute to safeguarding-related risks?

• Conflict and disaster response,

• Gender inequality and vulnerable populations,

• Power imbalances and perceptions of authority,

• Age and stage of development of program participants,

• Personnel deployment and remote locations,

• Type and method of service provision,

  • For example: does it involve individual interactions? 

• Sub-awardees capacity, 

How have the risk assessment findings been addressed in the program design and plans for implementation and monitoring?

What mechanisms are in place to provide information in accessible and age-appropriate formats about safeguarding-related resources, including reporting mechanisms, to participants and receive feedback?  Are these two-way conversations?

How are these mechanisms made safe, confidential, and accessible?

How are program participants empowered to report?

• For example: are they aware of the behavior aid workers are prohibited from?

How is community feedback incorporated into the implementing of safeguarding measures?

How and how often are staff, volunteers, and participants sensitized or trained?

Is there a focal point in the country/regional office for safeguarding?

What procedures on recruitment, screening, training, deployment, management, and performance exist to safeguard program participants and staff?

How are protections tailored to the risk environment?

Have protection/response services been mapped and are there referral procedures?

How are safeguarding violations reported and referred internally and externally?

What are the mandatory reporting requirements and are there multiple channels for reporting?

Are the reporting mechanisms tailored and accessible:

• For example: child friendly mechanisms, mechanisms accessible for persons with disabilities, comprehensive anonymous staff surveys, app-based reporting systems.

What routine efforts are taken to monitor for safeguarding violations in the field?

How will the partner respond to critical safeguarding issues? 

How has the survivor been placed at the center of the process? What resources are available to them? If the survivor is a child, are additional safeguarding measures needed?

What are the reporting, investigation, and adjudicative procedures, and how are they made safe, confidential, comprehensive, protective, compassionate, and fair? 

How is senior management involved?

Are these procedures unbiased and performed by qualified individuals?

Is the response to safeguarding violations timely and consistent?

What are the mechanisms for due process & appropriate accountability?

Is there a clear policy prohibiting retaliation?

How does the organization ensure employment & accountability procedures are transparent?

How are the statuses of cases tracked?