FHI 360’s framework for safeguarding program participants includes a set of minimum standards (required actions) that are organized under eight domains.1 The minimum standards apply to all FHI 360 projects that involve interaction with program participants, regardless of whether FHI 360 is the prime or a sub to another organization. The standards are designed to help country offices and FHI 360 project teams ensure uniform application of FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies, major funder requirements, and international standards. When effectively and fully implemented, the minimum standards mitigate safeguarding-related risks and help us respond effectively if harm does occur.
At the center of this framework are four elements that provide a foundation for effective implementation of the minimum standards:
Organizational Values and Culture: Everything we do to safeguard program participants relies on an ongoing commitment to our organizational values and beliefs that everyone who interacts with our organization has the human right to live free from violence and other abuse and must be treated with dignity and respect.
Program Participant Engagement: Input from program participants is essential to develop safe and effective strategies.
Leadership and Policies: Everyone has a role in maintaining safety in our work environments and programs, and leadership teams have a unique role in 1) promoting and maintaining a safe and positive organizational culture that supports our safeguarding efforts; and 2) ensuring that our safeguarding policies and other requirements are known by FHI 360 and partner personnel and effectively integrated into projects.
1: FHI 360’s Framework for Safeguarding Program Participants is informed by and aligns with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s (IASC) Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; Interaction’s Framework for Creating a Safer Work Environment; IASC’s Minimum Operating Standards; OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Recommendations; Keeping Children Safe: Setting tough international child safeguarding standards; Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability; and major funder requirements, including those outlined in USAID’s Policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; FCDO’s Enhanced Due Diligence: Safeguarding for External Partners; and the UN Implementing Partner PSEA Capacity Assessment.