Safeguarding and PSEA/H Coordination
Closing a Safeguarding Awareness Gap Across 613 Staff in 11 Months
Despite global safeguarding policy, country and local offices relied only on general interagency SOPs, and a staff survey I ran showed most staff were unaware of their obligations or the consequences of non-compliance. I drafted internal Safeguarding SOPs, secured senior leadership endorsement and built a field focal point network to support implementation. Training and awareness sessions reached 613 staff within 11 months in one country operation. Reporting mechanisms were reshared organisation-wide alongside the new SOPs.
- Staff trained
- 0
- Months to full rollout
- 0
Staff trained
Months to full rollout
The Context
Global safeguarding policy existed, but country and local offices had no internal SOPs and depended on general interagency guidance that staff were largely unfamiliar with.
The Challenge
A staff survey confirmed that most staff were either unaware or unsure of their obligations under safeguarding policy and did not understand the implications of non-compliance.
The Strategic Approach
How It Was Solved
Diagnostic phase
ran a staff survey to establish the scale of the awareness gap and briefed senior management on the case for internal SOPs.
Drafting phase
authored the SOPs, reviewed them against internal, global and regional standards and secured endorsement from the Country Director and senior leadership team.
Rollout phase
identified field focal points, prepared training materials and delivered awareness sessions supported by local induction sessions.
Measurable Results
- 613 staff received safeguarding training and awareness sessions within 11 months.
- Field focal points were identified and equipped across the operation to sustain implementation.
- Reporting mechanisms were reshared with all staff following SOP endorsement.
Broader Impact
- Closed a measurable awareness gap identified through direct staff survey data.
- Secured visible senior leadership ownership of safeguarding responsibilities.
- Extended safeguarding follow-up to partner organisations beyond internal staff.
- Built a sustainable field focal point structure for ongoing coordination.
Awareness gaps are measurable, and measuring them is what makes the case for leadership investment. Assumptions about staff understanding are not a substitute for a survey.
This case demonstrates how survey-led diagnosis, policy drafting and structured field rollout can close a safeguarding awareness gap at scale. The result was a country operation with SOPs, trained focal points and staff who understand their obligations.
Tools Used in This Case
Microsoft Office
used to design the staff survey and compile results for senior leadership.
SharePoint
used to host and disseminate the endorsed Safeguarding SOPs and training materials.
Microsoft Teams
used to coordinate training delivery with field focal points across locations.
Competencies Evidenced
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