Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Specialist at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is recruiting for a Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Specialist.

Details about eligibility criteria, job responsibilities, and mode of application for this role is given in subsequent sections of this post.

Also see: Psychosocial Support / Case Management Officer at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Quick Summary of Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Specialist at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Company	Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Category	Job
Job Type	Contract 6 months with possibility of renewal
Title	Psychosocial Safeguarding and Code of Conduct Specialist/Case Management
Location	Abuja or Maiduguri (with frequent visits to other DRC locations)
Experience level
Application End Date:	5/27/2026

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world – and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In around 30 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Purpose/objective of the position:

This role has a Nigeria Country focus and ensures compliance to DRC’s Code of Conduct Reporting Mechanism (CoCRM) and Safeguarding procedures, guidelines, and requirements within the country.

The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Specialist is responsible, on behalf of the Country Director, for nurturing and promoting a culture of code of conduct in collaboration with managers, staff, the Regional Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Coordinator as well as the Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Unit in HQ, for reviewing, planning, and implementing capacity building plans on strengthening functional COCRM and safeguarding practices in Nigeria Country office.

It also includes the maintenance of the CoCRM, referring Survivors to appropriate services providers within or external to DRC, conducting investigations, and the coordination with other safeguarding stakeholders for the purpose of the dissemination of safeguarding (PSEAH) policies and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Complaint Registration:

Setting complaint (RSM) tracks, managing complaint tracks (e.g. hotline, green line, e-mail, complaint boxes etc.) and receiving RSMs in person.
Advising reporting persons on DRC’s CoCRM structure and procedures, available reporting opportunities and other.
Registering RSMs in the Code of Conduct Tracking Tool and informing the Gate A+ (Region) or Gate B (HQ) Registrars of such registration. Updating the Code of Conduct Tracking Tool with available information.
Supporting the Gate A+ (Region) or Gate B (HQ) Registrars for the purpose of providing feedback to the Reporting Persons.
Coordinating with the Regional Registrar for COC.

Investigation lead and support:

Conducting internal investigations as investigator under the monitoring of the relevant Regional or HQ authorizing officer (AO).
Producing high quality reports on investigation (closure or investigation reports), and advisory reports on gaps, risks and issues identified during investigation.
Monitoring of investigations on behalf of the ReSCO (Regional Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Office).
Representing and participating in relevant working groups, clusters, or inter-agency PSEAH networks within the limits permitted by DRC’s applicable policies.
Supporting investigators and authorizing officers in the frame of PSEAH investigations by mapping relevant and available services, approaching Survivors, identifying their needs (with the Survivors themselves) and referring them to the appropriate service provider within or outside DRC.
The Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Specialist will, from time to time, support the investigator by interviewing the Survivor when/if appropriate.
Conduct regular monitoring and spot checks of partner support functions to ensure compliance to agreed standards

Collaboration with Nigeria Teams:

Collaborating and coordinating with the relevant programme and MEAL teams to ensure that accountability towards the affected population is upheld at country level which includes the setting of relevant CFMs, identifying, flagging, and suggesting mitigation measures around SEAH risks that might arise.
Collaborating with the relevant Registrars at country and regional levels to maintain an efficient connection between the CoCRM and the CFM in their regional area to register and fast-track PSEAH related cases
Advising the relevant management regarding the contracting with implementing partners regarding safeguarding and accountability requirements.
Planning, delivering and supporting the dissemination of PSEAH trainings and CoCRM awareness sessions to staff, management, implementing partners’ Workforce and persons of concern (PoCs) in coordination with the ReSCO.
Recording and tracking all CoCRM & PSEAH in-person training arranged in the Country Office.

Compliance

Work with the Risk and Compliance Specialist to update compliance and accountability improvement Plans.
Support and evaluate areas of compliance risk while feeding into risk registers and recommend corrective actions.
Work with operations department to ensure DRC policies and procedures are relevant, communicated, and implemented.
Build capacity of the team, conduct and/or plan trainings on topics such as strengthening internal controls and fraud detection
Support partners in developing/adapting support service policies and manuals.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

At least three (3) years of directly related experience in safeguarding and Code of Conduct operations.
Demonstrated experience with safeguarding and code of conduct operations or similar , influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization and within complex contexts.
Demonstrate experience with conducting and/or monitoring internal investigations, including Fraud investigations.
Demonstrate experience with developing and delivering successful training sessions, facilitating meetings.
Demonstrated experience with Safeguarding and PSEA standards, including an ability to apply a survivor-centered approach in relating with survivors of Sexual Harassment (SH) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and in handling SEA and SH allegations.
Have good oral and written communication skills in English and in Hausa is mandatory.
Commitment to upholding and modelling DRC’s values and Code of Conduct.
Demonstrating integrity, diplomacy, professionalism, reliability, and resilience at all times.
Able to always work professionally and with a high degree of confidentiality.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

Master’s degree in relevant area.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

Fluency in written and spoken Hausa and English.

Required Skills & Qualities

Core Competencies of DRC:
- Striving for excellence
- Collaboration
- Taking the lead
- Communication
- Demonstrating Integrity
Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required.

General Regulations

The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorisation
Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorisation
Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

Application Process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) on DRC website. Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria).

Applications close on 27th May 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.