Safe Schools Officer (SSO)

Safe Schools Officer at Zindagi Trust

About the Organization

Zindagi Trust is a leading Pakistani non-profit dedicated to improving educational outcomes for children in public-sector schools across Pakistan. This position supports safeguarding and student wellbeing initiatives at two government girls' schools in Karachi: Khatoon-e-Pakistan Government Girls Secondary School (KPS) in Bahadurabad, and SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls Secondary School in Garden West.

Role Overview

As a Safe Schools Officer, you will create and maintain a safe, supportive school environment by focusing on child protection, early identification of concerns, and student wellbeing. Your work will be student-centered, preventive rather than reactive, and protocol-driven.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Receive, document, and report all student wellbeing and child protection concerns
• Conduct initial safety assessments and escalate appropriately to the Head of Safe Schools
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records and track trends
• Monitor at-risk students and ensure appropriate follow-up
• Implement and support the school's Child Protection Policy and reporting mechanisms

Early Identification and Student Support

• Identify early warning signs of emotional, behavioral, or safety concerns
• Conduct supportive check-ins with students where appropriate
• Provide immediate non-therapeutic support and refer complex cases to the school counselor
• Support student reintegration following incidents or extended absence

Preventive Wellbeing Programming

• Plan and deliver age-appropriate sessions on emotional wellbeing, anti-bullying, digital safety, and personal safety and boundaries
• Contribute to Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) and similar programs
• Promote safe reporting practices among students

Teacher, Staff, and Parent Engagement

• Build staff sensitivity regarding child safety, child development, and emotional regulation
• Support teachers in positive classroom management and student safety responses
• Guide staff on appropriate reporting and classroom-level interventions
• Work closely with school counselors, leadership, and the safeguarding team
• Engage parents in non-crisis cases as appropriate and guided by the Head of Safe Schools
• Support referrals to external mental health and child protection services
• Maintain updated referral pathways and community resources

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain secure and current case records
• Track safeguarding trends and recurring concerns
• Contribute to periodic safeguarding and wellbeing reports

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, or related field
• 2–5 years of experience working with children or adolescents
• Prior experience in schools, NGOs, or youth programs preferred
• Training in child protection, safeguarding, or basic counseling is an advantage
• Trauma-informed training or awareness is preferred

Core Competencies

• Strong understanding of child safeguarding principles and risk identification
• Effective communication with children, families, and adults
• High-level confidentiality and professional integrity
• Strong documentation and organizational skills
• Ability to remain calm and objective in sensitive situations
• Clear professional boundaries and self-awareness

How to Apply

Submit your resume through the Zindagi Trust recruitment portal (linked on their careers page) or email career@zindagitrust.org with the subject line specifying your campus choice: 'Safe Schools Officer - KPS' or 'Safe Schools Officer - SMB'.