SSDP MANAGER CUBA RESPONSE

CRS JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Safeguarding and Safe, Secure, and Dignified Programming (SSDP) Program Manager
Department: Programs
Grade: 9
Reports To: Cuba Senior Program Manager
Country/Location: Remote 

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with Caritas Cuba, is implementing a multisector emergency response to support vulnerable households throughout Cuba. The project focuses on delivering essential assistance in food security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and shelter and non-food items (NFIs). The program prioritizes households with the greatest needs and is implemented through local Caritas structures to ensure effective, community-based delivery. Activities include food distributions, hygiene support, and targeted shelter improvements in selected areas.

The project emphasizes efficient assistance delivery, accountability to participants, and practical monitoring approaches adapted to the local context. Through this effort, CRS and Caritas aim to help households meet their immediate needs while strengthening capacity to provide timely and well-coordinated assistance.

Position Summary

The Safeguarding and Safe, Secure, and Dignified Programming (SSDP) Program Manager will provide tools, technical support, and leadership to the CRS project team and its partners to implement CRS’s Safeguarding Policy and standards and ensure the application and safe and dignified programming framework across all project activities and any new programming. The position will be responsible for both direct implementation of policies, procedures, and best practice related to safeguarding and SDP as well as technical support and accompaniment to staff and partners. 

The SSDP Program Manager will receive guidance, technical support, and capacity strengthening from the Global Safeguarding Team, the Safe and Dignified Programming Advisors from the Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), and other Regional and Global Technical Advisors (Gender, Social Inclusion, Disability, etc.) as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Train frontline project and partner staff and associates on the identification, reception, and escalation of safeguarding and protection-related allegations and concerns. 
• Apply CRS Partner Safeguarding Policy and Procedure (PSPP) to partners ensuring safeguarding assessments against minimum standards and capacity strengthening plans are completed and partners are monitored and accompanied in capacity strengthening efforts.
• Provide technical assistance, accompaniment, and mentoring to CRS and partner staff on safe and dignified programming, approaches, systems, and tools.
• Plan and facilitate safeguarding and protection risk assessment and mitigation plans for the project ensuring adherence to the Safeguarding Risk Management Policy and Procedure and Safe and Dignified Programming (SDP) tools. Develop and monitor risk matrices.
• Utilizing CRS’ safeguarding approved messages, provide tools and technical support to the CRS team and partner organization focal points to raise awareness among participants and communities about their rights, the CRS Code of Conduct and Ethics, reporting expectations, and related topics. Lead on community facing communications where assigned.
• Develop and monitor plans for ongoing communication with communities per the above.
• Contribute to the design and monitoring of FCRMs, ensuring they are functional, safe, accessible, and effective for communities, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations. 
• Ensure FCRM Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) are in place for categorizing and triaging different types of feedback, ensuring the immediate escalation of sensitive feedback and protecting confidentiality.
• Strengthen the capacities of the partner and CRS project team in the management and use of safeguarding systems, Feedback and Complaint Response Mechanisms (FCRMs), and related tools, providing technical support for analysis and interpretation to identify trends, risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. 
• Provide regular updates to the project team on agency, partner, and CRS team safeguarding and safe and dignified programming efforts, lessons learned, and best practices; ensure that safeguarding and protection mainstreaming are regular agenda items in leadership and staff meetings. 
• Map essential services and referral pathways for safeguarding and protection cases across all project locations; ensuring maintained and reviewed annually.
• Review project designs and proposals to ensure inclusion of minimum safeguarding and protection requirements, such as PSPP planning, risk assessments, mitigation measures, functional FCRMs, meaningful participation, staffing, and budget considerations. 
• Provide tools, templates, and training on safeguarding and standards, adapting materials to the local context in consultation with the Regional Safeguarding Advisor. 
• Support Global Safeguarding team on conducting survivor-centered investigations related to allegations of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment related to program and partner staff and/or activities. 
• Coordinate the safeguarding and safe and dignified programming activities with different CRS and partner project managers and teams such as MEAL.
• Actively participate in relevant PSEA and/or protection related forums and clusters to collect and share best practices.

Qualifications, Experience, and Requirements

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Human Rights, Gender, International Development, Social Work, Psychology, or related field, or equivalent professional experience. 
• Minimum of three years of relevant work experience with progressively increasing responsibilities, preferably with an international NGO, including at least two years of relevant experience in safeguarding, protection, or gender in an advisory or management role. NGO experience preferred. 
• Experience advising or guiding staff through effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence others inside and outside areas of functional responsibility. 
• Experience developing and delivering culturally sensitive training programs, materials, and communications. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to remain flexible and work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, multitasking team environment.  
• Strong analytical and reporting skills; advanced computer proficiency, including standard office applications. 
• Humble and approachable; a problem-solver who seeks constructive solutions within compliance and policy requirements. 

Required Languages

• Spanish 
• Intermediate to advanced English proficiency 

Travel

• Up to 30% international travel to Cuba. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Hands-on, results-oriented approach, capable of directly implementing systems and processes while also providing technical guidance. 
• Ability to develop integrated plans that advance initiatives and foster cross-departmental collaboration. 
• Ability to communicate in a timely manner, enabling others to plan accordingly. 
• Ability to assess, organize, and interpret information and draw sound conclusions. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively and influence others without formal authority, working toward shared goals and objectives. 
• Ability to explain ideas and processes clearly, address sensitive issues, and facilitate discussions with staff at different levels. 
• Personal and professional commitment to treating all people with fairness, honesty, dignity, and respect. 
• Demonstrates positive attitudes toward gender equality, disability inclusion, and survivors. 
• Knowledge of industry safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) principles and standards. 

Key Working Relationships

Supervisory: None. 

Internal: Project Team; Safeguarding Focal Points; MEAL Unit. 

Regional and Global Internal: Regional Global Safeguarding Advisor; Humanitarian Response Department (HRD) Advisors; Regional Directors/Deputy Directors; other Regional and Global Technical Advisors. 

External: Local implementing partners, including Caritas; safeguarding staff from NGOs and the United Nations; donor safeguarding and SDP representatives; local PSEA networks. 

CRS Core Competencies

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission; is regarded as honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Demonstrates consistency between words and actions. 
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in diverse and cross-cultural teams. 
• Open to Learning – Seeks experiences that broaden perspectives and create learning opportunities. 

Additional Information

CRS’s Catholic identity is at the heart of its mission and operations. CRS welcomes staff of all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving people in need. CRS policies and procedures reflect its commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

The duration of this position is subject to project and/or country program funding and other internal processes based on local law. 

By applying for this position, candidates acknowledge that CRS requires all staff to treat everyone with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Successful candidates will undergo comprehensive background checks, including reference checks regarding safeguarding-related conduct. 

CRS recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.