Safeguarding Senior Coordinator-India

Starting Date: ASAP

Contract type: Full-time and open-ended

Salary: 2,642,741 INR, commensurate with relevant experience and skills

Location: New Delhi, India

Application closing date: 20-07-2025

About the Job

Are you purpose-led and ready to embark on a journey to shape the future of sustainable cotton? Join us at Better Cotton as Safeguarding Senior Coordinator and lead a global team responsible for delivering robust safeguarding systems and practices that protect the wellbeing of individuals involved in our programmes, uphold human rights, and ensure ethical standards within Better Cotton’s operations and partnerships for the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative. We support more sustainable farming practices and farm livelihoods for nearly 3 million farmers in the Better Cotton network in 23 countries around the world.

The Challenge

Looking ahead to 2030, we are targeting reducing GHG emissions from cotton production by half, making significant cuts in synthetic pesticide use, improving soil health across our network, increasing farm income, and supporting women’s empowerment among farmers and farm workers.

As a Safeguarding Senior Coordinator (India), you will be responsible for leading the implementation and continuous improvement of safeguarding practices across Better Cotton’s operations in India. You will ensure that safeguarding principles particularly those related to Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), gender equity, and the wellbeing of farmers and farm workers are embedded in programmes, training, and partner engagement. You will oversee the effective handling of complaints and safeguarding concerns, support risk assessments and mitigation efforts, build staff and partner capacity, and collaborate with global safeguarding team to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, accountability, and responsiveness.

Areas that play to your strengths

We are seeking a motivated Safeguarding Senior Coordinator (India) to join our Safeguarding Team. In this role, you will be responsible to ensure that we deliver on our aim to make Better Cotton better for all. The role will be responsible for Safeguarding and Compliance at Better Cotton India.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a champion for safeguarding at Better Cotton India; driving a culture of safety and protection across the organization and its partners.
• Support Country Director in ensuring that Better Cotton India’s strategic plans meet Better Cotton Safeguarding framework and is fully integrated into strategic plans, meeting the highest standards of safeguarding, national and international legislation, and the specific requirements of donors, government bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Support the Country Director in ensuring that safeguarding practices in Better Cotton India are fully compliant with national legislation, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, POSH Act, and Child Labour laws, and that all staff and partners are aware of their legal obligations regarding reporting and protection. Work closely with relevant state and national child protection bodies to ensure appropriate coordination and reporting of high-risk safeguarding cases.
• Lead the development of advanced, India-specific safeguarding training programmes, continuously enhancing capacity across India teams and partners through comprehensive training, awareness sessions, and specialised workshops.
• Provide high-level guidance to partners on enhancing their safeguarding practices, ensuring alignment with corrective action plans, due diligence standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Work with the Global Safeguarding Manager and Country Director on country-specific safeguarding initiatives, including high-level risk assessments, survivor support strategies, and large-scale awareness-raising campaigns.
• Manage a Safeguarding hotline in India and develop and maintain a network of qualified investigators for prompt deployment when needed.
• Lead or co-lead safeguarding investigations, , ensuring all incidents are handled with the utmost care, confidentiality, and professionalism, while ensuring survivors receive necessary support services.
• Serve as the point of contact for safeguarding matters, offering guidance to staff, partners, stakeholders, and external parties on complex safeguarding issues and incidents.
• Oversee the management of complaints, working closely with the Complaints Monitoring Team to manage all Complaints related to Pakistan including reviewing complaints received in the inbox.
• Under the supervision of the Global Safeguarding Manager, lead the process of engaging and managing external investigators for complex cases, including drafting high-level TORs, managing contracts, and overseeing payment processes.
• Support the Country Director in ensuring the India Team’s full compliance with Better Cotton’s safeguarding policies, as well as key procedures related to Internet Usage, Whistleblowing, Code of Conduct, Risk Management, and Fraud Prevention.
• Support the Country Director in ensuring that Better Cotton India is meeting its obligations to legal authorities concerning safeguarding and child protection.
• Coordinate upkeep of Better Cotton India’s risk management framework, ensuring that risk registers are regularly reviewed, updated, and that mitigation strategies are effectively implemented.
• Review safeguarding relevant insurance policies that Better Cotton India has in place and identify and propose remedy for any gaps.

We are looking for someone who has

the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential

• Advanced degree or equivalent work experience in law, international development, social studies, or a related discipline, with a specific focus on safeguarding or child protection.
• At least 5-7 years of advisor or specialist level experience in safeguarding, protection, or related fields, preferably within NGOs, international organisations, government agencies, or security firms.
• Experience in leading complex safeguarding investigations, including handling HR misconduct, financial misconduct, and other sensitive issues.
• Demonstrable experience working with sensitive material in high-pressure environments, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to the highest ethical standards.
• Demonstrable experience with safeguarding data management systems, including the ability to analyse complex safeguarding and legislative data sets and produce high-level reports for decision-makers.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies, procedures, and international standards, with a proven track record of applying this knowledge to develop and implement organisational strategies.
• Strong experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating large-scale learning and development initiatives, including blended learning solutions and digital training content.
• Highly solution-oriented with proven ability to manage high-stakes, high-pressure situations, demonstrating sound judgment, strategic thinking, and leadership.
• Exceptional ability to develop innovative solutions to complex safeguarding challenges, applying both creative and practical approaches.
• Strong emotional resilience, with a proven ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and manage stress in a safeguarding role.
• Extensive experience in leading and implementing safeguarding strategies across multiple countries or regions, ensuring consistent and effective practices.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, drive organisational change, and lead safeguarding initiatives across the organisation and partner networks.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate at a senior level across multiple teams and diverse cultures, both in-person and through virtual platforms, building and maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Superior organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects and deliver results on time and within scope.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting high-level information clearly to senior audiences, boards, and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of advanced IT tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and data analysis software.
• Fluent in English, with excellent presentation skills, including the ability to lead senior-level training and deliver visually compelling presentations to large groups.

Desirable

• Experience working in international, multi-cultural environments with a focus on safeguarding and protection.
• Knowledge of livelihoods, decent work initiatives, and legal frameworks related to safeguarding practices in complex settings.

• Legal expertise in safeguarding, human rights, or child protection issues, providing a solid foundation for managing complex legal safeguarding cases.

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working – Two to three days/week in the office in Delhi
• The opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to one month per year
• Flexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time
• Continuous learning and development
• Provident Fund Benefits
• 25 days paid annual leave, plus 9 Bank Holidays and a further 3 discretionary days off over festive period/year end period.
• Enhanced parental benefits
• A warm, positive working environment where everyone is valued
• The opportunity to make your mark and make a difference.

Working arrangements

The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based either in Delhi. Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm.

Apply now

Send us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 20-07-2025 via apply now link.

In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role at Better Cotton. We want to see your personal style – what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.

Our hiring process

Initial Screening:

Applicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.

Interviews:

If you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.

Assessment and Testing:

Depending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.

Reference Checks:

Once you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.

Offer stage:

After completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.

About Better Cotton

Better Cotton is a global not-for-profit organisation supporting the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton at farm level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community with partners, governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to brand. In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive. Join us in building a better, more sustainable future for cotton worldwide.

About our Values

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:

• Trustworthy (including honest, transparent, credible)
• As having Integrity (including responsible, authentic)
• Positive (including problem-solving, pragmatic)
• Engaging (including adaptable, inclusive, holistic)
• Daring (including courageous, innovative, game-changing)

Being you @ Better Cotton

Better Cotton is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.