Starting Date: ASAP

Contract type: Full-time and Open Ended

Salary: PKR 6, 748, 248/- annually; commensurate with relevant experience and skills

Location: Lahore, Pakistan

Application closing date: 03.12.2025

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 Initiative Senior Coordinator Safeguarding and lead a global team responsible for delivering high impact communications 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 Initiative network in 23 countries around the world.

The Safeguarding Senior Coordinator, Pakistan strengthens Better Cotton’s commitment to ethical, inclusive, and responsible programming by embedding safeguarding practices across its operations in Pakistan. This role ensures that robust accountability measures are in place at Better Cotton, incidents received are thoroughly investigated, partner capacity is enhanced, and risks are effectively managed, contributing to a safe and trusted environment for all stakeholders and reinforcing Better Cotton’s credibility, compliance, and community impact. 

The Challenge

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

Responsibilities

We are seeking a motivated Senior Coordinator Safeguarding to join our Programmes Team In this role, you will be responsible for:

Pakistan Organizational Strategy Implementation and Policy Adhere

• Monitor compliance with Better Cotton's Safeguarding Policy and related policies (e.g., Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing, Internet Usage).  
• Lead the development and delivery of Pakistan-contextualised safeguarding, whistleblowing and complaints training and awareness-raising activities for staff,
• Champion safeguarding practices within Better Cotton Pakistan and
• Ensure that safeguarding is incorporated into Pakistan’s country strategy and the work of all functions and relevant activities in Pakistan. 
• Engage in Pakistan and global safeguarding communities of practice to ensure that Better Cotton is a key player in the sector driving forward safeguarding best practice. 
• Collaborate with the Global Safeguarding Manager and Complaints team on key initiatives to build safeguarding and accountability capacity throughout the organisation. 
• Conduct an annual internal audit to evaluate adherence to safeguarding requirements. 

 Stakeholder Management

• Provide training, support and material provision to partners as required to meet their safeguarding and complaints obligations, using a supportive, capacity strengthening approach.  
• Coordinate the Corrective Action Plans for all Pakistan based partners.
• Conduct safeguarding and complaints due diligence assessments for all new Pakistan partners.
• High level annual reporting requirements in place for safeguarding and complaints from all partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate network of safeguarding focal points at all partner organisations and other relevant stakeholder organisations.  
• Work with Programme partners to develop a comprehensive, localised and quality checked service mapping tool and survivor support guidelines.  
• Undertake mapping of all stakeholders in Pakistan and ensure that appropriate agreements, training and reporting mechanisms are in place with all relevant stakeholders including certification bodies and large farms.  

 Farm Level research and Awareness Raising 

• Conduct awareness raising pilot at farm level, before rolling out of farm level training and awareness raising. 
• Conduct research into barriers to reporting concerns, taking into consideration regional and demographic nuances. 
• Raise awareness of safe reporting channels
• Manage a confidential safeguarding hotline.  
• Conduct comprehensive, quality checked service mapping in collaboration with partners to ensure locally accessible survivor support is available at farm level.  

Relationships (External and Internal Collaborations)

Internal

• Works with the Global Safeguarding and Accountability    Manager to align country-level safeguarding implementation with organisational strategy and standards
• Collaborates closely with the Country Director, Programmes, MEL, and People & Culture teams to embed safeguarding into all aspects of programme delivery and operations.
• Coordinates with the global Complaints Monitoring Team on case management, reporting, and escalation  

External

• Provides technical support and capacity strengthening to Better Cotton’s programme partners, including training and guidance on safeguarding frameworks and standards.   
• Engages with external investigators, legal counsel, and protection professionals to ensure robust and timely case management, when required.  
• Maintains relationships with relevant sector stakeholders (e.g. donor safeguarding focal points, child protection networks, PSEA coordination groups) to ensure contextual relevance and alignment with best practices.     

Education and Experience

The following skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, development studies, education, law, human rights, or a related field.   
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in safeguarding, gender-based violence (GBV), protection, PSEA (prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse), or community-based programming with INGOs, development agencies or protection-focused organisations.
• Proven experience working with sensitive cases and survivor-centred approaches. 
• Experience developing and delivering safeguarding training and awareness-raising sessions, especially for low- literacy or rural audiences.   
• Demonstrated ability to advise and support partners or field teams on safeguarding systems and standards.     
• Familiarity with national child protection, GBV, and safeguarding legislation in Pakistan is an asset. 
• Experience working in international, multicultural, or mission-driven environments is an asset.   
• Professional certifications in safeguarding, child protection or PSEA (e.g. Bond, HLA, Humentum, CHS Alliance, Keeping children safe) are highly desirable.
• Investigation qualification such as IQTS Level 3 is highly desirable.       

Skills and Competencies (Outcome Driven)  

• Ability to develop and deliver engaging safeguarding training to diverse stakeholders including staff, partners, and community members.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding standards, incident handling procedures, survivor-centred approaches, and risk mitigation.   
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive information or cases.  
• Ability to explain complex safeguarding concepts clearly and persuasively to varied audiences (verbal and written).    
• Skilled in managing multiple priorities and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver safeguarding outcomes on time and within scope.         
• Able to navigate changing circumstances and work with sensitivity in culturally diverse and sometimes conservative environments.   
• Capable of using data and insights from safeguarding cases, risk assessments, and reports to drive continuous improvement.   

Technical Competencies (Role Specific, Outcome-Linked)

• Handles safeguarding cases ethically, confidentially, and in line with survivor-centred principles.   
• Applies international safeguarding frameworks (e.g., PSEA, CHS) to strengthen systems, partner compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Delivers effective, context-sensitive safeguarding training to staff, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Assesses and mitigates safeguarding risks across operations, partnerships, and programming, ensuring proactive prevention strategies are in place.
•  Maintains safe, confidential reporting mechanisms and ensures alignment with legal, donor, and organisational standards.   

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Urdu required.   
• Working knowledge of Saraiki, Pushtu and Sindhi preferred for working with specific stakeholders.

What we offer

- Competitive salary

- Hybrid working – Two to three days/week in the office.

- 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

- Pension scheme

- 25 days paid annual leave, plus 9 Bank Holidays

- 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 Lahore Better Cotton Initiative offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm.  Frequent travel to cotton-growing regions will be required. Some international travel may be required. 

Apply now

Send us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 03.12.2025 via this link. 

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

Better Cotton Initiative does not use artificial intelligence or automated screening tools in its hiring process. Every application is reviewed by our People & Culture team and relevant hiring managers to ensure a fair and human-led assessment experience.

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 Initiative 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 Initiative 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 Initiative

Better Cotton Initiative 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 Initiative

Better Cotton Initiative 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.