Safeguarding Coordinator - Afghanistan

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation. 
Safeguarding Coordinator (m/f/x) - Afghanistan - Médecins San Frontières
CONTEXT 
The MSF presence in Afghanistan is structured as a single representation for all Operational Centres (OCs), following the agreement made when MSF reopened activities in 2009. The Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) led the reopening and continues to coordinate alongside OC‑Amsterdam, OC‑Paris and OC‑Barcelona. MSF currently runs eight projects in Kabul (coordination), Kunduz, Khost, Helmand, Kandahar, Herat, Bamyan, Nangarhar, and Mazar‑e‑Sharif, with approximately 134 (international) mobile staff, more than 3900 country-based staff, and over 600 incentive staff.

The country management set‑up consists of one Country Representative (CR), supported by four Heads of Programme (HoPs), each responsible for the daily operations of their respective OC, in close collaboration with a Medical Coordinator (MedCo) and a country-based Deputy MedCo. The CR is the final decision‑maker for security, representation and communication for the whole programme.

As the Safeguarding Coordinator, you will be based in Kabul and work in a context marked by sensitivities. The complexity of the environment, combined with fast‑changing political dynamics and security constraints, poses risks for MSF as an organisation (including security, perception, ethical, medical, financial) as well as for MSF staff, patients, caretakers, and community members participating in MSF activities. To mitigate these risks and promote safer working and care environments, the MSF programme and desks have prioritised awareness on responsible behaviour and the prevention of abuse across all projects, supported technically by the Intersectional Platform on Behaviour (IPOB).

You will be under the hierarchical supervision of the Head of Office (as delegated by CR) and under the functional supervision of the IPOB.  You will closely collaborate with the Country Coordination Team, the Heads of Programme from each OC, and the Project Coordinators and lead the drafting and implementation of the safeguarding strategy. You will mentor project management teams in preventing and detecting all forms of abuse across the country. You will coordinate and monitor the work plan of any team members under your responsibility, including Safeguarding Focal Points and Behaviour Officers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Context analysis

Ensure context and activities analysis to understand the types of abuse or safeguarding issues that have previously occurred in the operations over the past two years, identifying type of situations that have led to the occurrence of abuse/ issues
Conduct safeguarding risk assessments and necessary discussions with all stakeholders in the operations, including the patients and the community (when possible) to identify potential safeguarding risks
Develop a safeguarding strategy and plan of action with mitigation measures, responsible persons, timeline and SMART indicators to monitor progress and achievements
Conduct context analysis, (updating it as necessary) related to barriers, fears and risks surrounding reporting abuse in the mission for patients, community members and staff
Ensure protection of patients and uphold patient rights through awareness of the Patient Charter, monitoring, and integration of safeguarding within service delivery
Implementation of the Safeguarding Framework (Capacity Building and Prevention)

Define with Heads of Programme and Human Resources Coordinator (HRCo) a sustainable adapted strategy for each project to maintain refresher sessions and discussions on behaviour / safeguarding for all mobile and country-based staff at least once a year (it could be monthly workshops covering all staff in one year and repeating a cycle every year)

In collaboration with the HR department, ensure that safeguarding considerations are integrated into recruitment processes and that behavioral commitments and safeguarding policies are shared, and understood by all MSF staff and affiliated parties

Ensure that daily workers employed in the context of activities receive essential information on abusive behavior and access to complaint mechanisms

Raise awareness of senior mission management about their role in creating and maintaining a safe working environment and safe care environment for all staff, patients, partners, and community members

Raise awareness about how to welcome a complainant in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner, adapted to the context, for complaints about abuse, including where to refer complainants (complaint and adapted psycho-social and medical support mechanisms, and gender-based violence referral pathways should they exist when needed).

Design awareness raising activities at field level for all field staff and targeted third parties, including Ministry of Health (MoH) staff, about abuse prevention, detection, and the existing complaint procedures

Implement the prevention tools developed by the Behaviour / Safeguarding Unit and their adaptation to the local context, which includes training on the Tembo platform, videos, leaflets, posters etc

Coordinate training to maintain awareness and meet training needs about specific safeguarding and abuse topics, e.g. sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH), abuse prevention in an emergency setting, child safeguarding

Facilitate - in collaboration with the Safeguarding Mobile Support Technician (MST) / Mobile Implementation Officers (MIO) - Training of Trainer (TOT) sessions on abuse prevention for behaviour
Awareness-raising among patients and community members

In collaboration with Health Promotion (HP) and community outreach teams, define and implement a strategy to raise awareness among patients and community members about abusive behavior and reporting and complaint mechanisms. This includes developing/ adapting tools/ content and communication material for messages to be disseminated
Raise awareness and train HP staff and community outreach team on the collection/referral of alerts via the existing channels, active detection of safeguarding concerns and abuse
Under the leadership of the project coordination team, contribute and support in the design of activities to assess Community members' understanding of the organization's and staff's behavior and the use of reporting mechanisms
Conduct regular consultations with patients/ caretakers and community members on safeguarding (focus group discussions, feedback processes, one to one discussion etc...)
Establish adapted complaint reporting system for patients, community members & staff

In consultation with community members, patients and in collaboration with the HP Manager/ Community Health Workers, identify appropriate feedback and complaint reporting mechanisms
In collaboration with the programmes, implement the complaint mechanisms identified by patient and community members, ensuring the initial rollout through targeted training, monitoring, and support for the staff involved
Ensure that allegations of abuse (including mandatory reporting of all SEAH incidents, abuse of minors/ patients and community etc.) are immediately reported to Project Coordinator, Head of Programme and HRCo and escalated to the relevant OC Behaviour / Safeguarding Unit for advice and management
Ensure confidentiality in the reporting process at all times and all levels
Documentation, analysis and monitoring:

Ensure regular data collection of safeguarding activities in the country of operations/projects
Evaluate and monitor this data to establish learning and improvement of prevention activities
Engage with country and project management teams and the Behaviour / Safeguarding Unit to discuss the trends, analysis, and necessary adaptation of the safeguarding strategy and activities for the country programmes
Provide a periodic sitrep on safeguarding activities for the country highlighting the achievements, challenges, recommendations and priorities
Team Management:

Capacity building and mentoring of the Responsible Behaviour Officer / Supervisor and Behaviour/ Safeguarding Focal Points

Coordinate and provide technical support to the Safeguarding / Behaviour team

Plan and supervise, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development and internal communication) to improve team capacity and competence.

Internal and Intersectional Collaboration & Safeguarding Responsibilities:

Conduct regular project visits in a high‑risk context characterised by volatile security conditions and aggravated gender discrimination

Adapt the safeguarding strategy to a large operational context with diverse programme interventions

Support departments to integrate safeguarding objectives into strategic and operational plans

Support new programming, proposals, and emergency responses by embedding safeguarding risk assessments, mitigation measures, and inclusive practices

Participate in conferences, forums, and working groups related to Behaviour and/or Safeguarding

Liaise with the existing PSEA network in Afghanistan

Lead intersectional safeguarding discussions in consultation with the Heads of Programme, CR and the HRCo, aiming for progressive alignment through a shared pool of resources

Provide and receive intersectional safeguarding support, including reviewing safeguarding proposals and promoting alignment through regular safeguarding platform meetings

REQUIREMENTS
Education and experience 

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant domain (e.g. law, social or organizational sciences, gender, social work, anti-discrimination, whistleblowing, etc.) is mandatory
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in safeguarding/ abuse prevention in an international organization is mandatory 
International humanitarian experience, preferably in the health sector, is mandatory
Experience in similar contexts is a strong asset (complexity and size)
MSF experience is a strong asset
Experience in facilitation, adult pedagogy, and coordination of training and workshops to a wide range of audiences is an asset
Experience working in fast-paced international environment, working with colleagues from many different backgrounds is an asset
Languages

Proficiency in English, both written and spoken is mandatory

Good knowledge of Arabic, Dari or Pashtun or other local languages is an asset

CONDITIONS
Expected starting date: 16th November 2026

Location: based in Kabul, Afghanistan

Contract type: Fixed-term contract – full-time

Contract duration: 12 months

Mobility: at least 80% of project visits within the country
Salary according to MSF salary grid

The contractual terms and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF function and salary grids
Not a family position
Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment

Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
Deadline for applications: 5th of July 2026

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply