Safeguarding at the Workplace: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEA)

Course Description

Creating safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces is not optional, it is essential. This course empowers organizations to strengthen safeguarding systems, prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), and ensure accountability to staff, partners, and the communities they serve. Participants will explore policies, reporting mechanisms, survivor-centered approaches, and legal/ethical responsibilities. Through practical tools, role-plays, and case studies, learners will gain the confidence to design and implement safeguarding frameworks that protect people and uphold organizational integrity.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• To define safeguarding and understand the global, regional, and local frameworks on PSEA.
• To identify risks of exploitation, abuse, and harassment in workplace and program contexts.
• To design and enforce safeguarding policies and codes of conduct.
• To establish clear reporting, complaints, and response mechanisms.
• To apply survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches when handling cases.
• To build a culture of accountability, respect, and zero tolerance.

Who Can Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Government institutions
• Corporate teams/companies
• NGO, CBO, and INGO leaders and managers.
• Human resource officers and safeguarding focal points.
• Program and project managers.
• Board members and governance structures.
• Community leaders and partner organizations.
• Anyone responsible for staff, volunteers, or community-facing work.

Course Modules

1.     Foundations of Safeguarding and PSEA

• Understanding safeguarding, SEAH, and organizational duty of care.
• International and African frameworks driving safeguarding policies.

2.     Recognizing and Assessing Risks

• Identifying potential risks within workplaces and programs.
• Tools for risk assessment and mapping vulnerable points of exploitation.

3.     Policies, Codes of Conduct, and Organizational Standards

• Developing or reviewing safeguarding policies.
• Setting clear codes of conduct and accountability mechanisms.
• Integrating safeguarding into contracts and partnerships.

4.     Reporting and Complaints Mechanisms

• Designing safe, confidential, and accessible reporting systems.
• Whistleblowing protection and managing false allegations.
• Case study: effective community-based reporting channels.

5.     Response and Case Management

• Survivor-centered approaches to handling complaints.
• Trauma-informed support and referral pathways.
• Balancing confidentiality, protection, and due process.

6.     Legal, Ethical, and Donor Compliance Dimensions

• Understanding legal obligations under national and international law.
• Donor safeguarding requirements and compliance checks.
• Navigating ethical dilemmas in safeguarding practice.

7.     Building a Culture of Respect and Accountability

• Promoting organizational values of safety, equity, and dignity.
• Strategies for training staff, volunteers, and communities.
• Leadership’s role in modeling safeguarding behaviors.

8.     Safeguarding in Partnerships and Communities

•  Extending safeguarding to implementing partners and contractors.
• Engaging communities in prevention, awareness, and accountability.
•  Case examples of safeguarding in fragile and humanitarian contexts.

9.     Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Safeguarding

• Tracking progress of safeguarding systems.
• Using feedback loops to strengthen safeguarding culture.
• Regular policy reviews and adaptive learning.

10.  Action Planning and Implementation

• Developing an organizational safeguarding improvement plan.
• Peer review and refinement.
• Setting up structures for continuous safeguarding practice.

After-Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

1.  Implement robust safeguarding frameworks that protect staff, communities, and partners.
2. Design safe and accessible reporting and response systems.
3. Apply survivor-centered principles to prevent re-traumatization and ensure dignity.
4. Build a culture of zero tolerance, accountability, and trust across the organization.

How you will learn

Duration

4 Weeks

Format

Online

Effort

3 hrs/per week

Certificate

Digital

AIS’s self-guided, flexible online trainings provide hands-on learning through engaging videos, assignments, and readings. Participants can connect and engage with peers around the world, all while an expert facilitator is available to answer your questions. The platform is user-friendly and available for a set duration, allowing learners to work at their own pace.

All courses can be converted in to a 3-5 days intensive in-person workshop/executive retreat.