1. Purpose

TheBoardroom Africa (“TBrA”) is committed to ensuring that all individuals engaged in the EMERGE Programme participate in a safe, respectful, and dignified environment. Safeguarding is central to the integrity of the Programme and to TBrA’s broader commitment to ethical leadership and responsible governance.

This Policy establishes the standards, procedures, and accountability mechanisms necessary to prevent harm, respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, and ensure compliance with Mastercard Foundation safeguarding requirements. It reflects TBrA’s zero-tolerance stance toward abuse, exploitation, harassment, and any misuse of power. Safeguarding is recognised as an organisational risk area and is overseen at senior management and Board level.

2. Scope and Applicability

This Policy applies to all individuals and entities associated with the EMERGE Programme, including employees, consultants, volunteers, committee members involved in oversight, implementing partners, employer partners, mentors, facilitators, trainers, and programme participants.

The Policy governs all EMERGE-related activities, whether conducted in person or virtually. This includes training sessions, mentorship engagements, recruitment and placement processes, employer-hosted placements connected to the Programme, networking events, digital engagement, and all associated communications undertaken as part of EMERGE.

Safeguarding obligations apply during and, where relevant, after engagement with the Programme.

Where employer partners enrol or nominate their employees to participate in EMERGE activities, this Policy applies only to matters arising within the context of the EMERGE Programme and its associated activities. Employment-related matters that fall outside the scope of EMERGE programming, including internal workplace conduct, employment

disputes, or other employer-employee matters unrelated to programme participation, remain the responsibility of the employer and will be addressed in accordance with the employer’s own policies and procedures.

However, where a safeguarding concern arises that is connected to EMERGE activities or interactions within the Programme, TheBoardroom Africa reserves the right to review the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with this Policy.

3. Statement of Principles

TBrA adopts a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, coercion, and abuse of authority. Any form of misconduct that compromises the dignity, safety, or rights of a participant or associated individual is strictly prohibited.

All safeguarding actions will be guided by a survivor-centred approach. This requires that the safety, wishes, dignity, and confidentiality of affected individuals are prioritised at every stage of reporting and response.

TBrA recognises that power imbalances may exist between programme personnel and participants, particularly in contexts involving mentorship, recruitment, and employment placement. Such imbalances create heightened safeguarding risks and require proactive mitigation.

The EMERGE Programme serves young professionals aged 25–35, including individuals from marginalised and economically vulnerable communities. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring that women, persons with disabilities, refugees, and other vulnerable groups are protected from exploitation or exclusion.

4. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is expressly prohibited under this Policy:

• Sexual exploitation or abuse, including the exchange of employment opportunities, mentorship access, or programme benefits for sexual favours.
• Sexual harassment, including unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, or coercive behaviour.
• Emotional or psychological abuse, including intimidation or
• Physical assault or threat of
• Bullying, including
• Discrimination based on gender, disability, nationality, refugee status, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or any other protected characteristic.
• Abuse of power or position of
• Retaliation against individuals who raise safeguarding concerns in good

5. Safeguarding Governance and Accountability

The Board retains ultimate oversight responsibility for safeguarding and will receive periodic updates on safeguarding implementation and any material incidents arising in connection with the EMERGE Programme. Significant safeguarding incidents will be escalated to the Board in accordance with the organisation’s governance protocols.

The Board delegates day-to-day safeguarding oversight to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Safeguarding Focal Point as follows:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for ensuring that appropriate organisational resources, systems, and controls are in place to implement this Policy effectively. The CEO oversees organisational compliance with safeguarding standards and ensures that safeguarding risks are appropriately managed and escalated when necessary.

The Safeguarding Focal Point is responsible for overseeing the operational implementation of this Policy, receiving and documenting safeguarding concerns, coordinating incident response, and ensuring compliance with reporting obligations, including those required by the Mastercard Foundation.

Sub-partners and employer partners are contractually required to adhere to safeguarding standards equivalent to those contained in this Policy. Engagement with the EMERGE programme or participants is conditional upon this commitment.

6. Safer Recruitment and Partner Due Diligence

TBrA will integrate safeguarding into recruitment and contracting processes. All staff, consultants, and relevant partners must sign TheBoardroom Africa’s Code of Conduct and complete safeguarding induction prior to engagement.

Where appropriate, reference checks and background verification will be conducted. Safeguarding clauses will be embedded in all contracts and Memoranda of Understanding. Employer partners hosting placements must confirm that their workplaces uphold safe working standards and provide non-discriminatory environments.

7. Digital Safeguarding

Given the hybrid and digital delivery model of EMERGE, safeguarding extends to all online platforms used by the Programme.

Forums and virtual engagement spaces will be moderated. All participants must adhere to Participation Terms and Conditions, which set out clear behavioural standards that will be communicated to participants and mentors. Harassment, inappropriate messaging, or misuse of digital platforms will be treated as safeguarding concerns.

Confidential participant data will be securely stored and accessed strictly on a need-to-know basis in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

8. Reporting Mechanisms

All safeguarding concerns must be reported promptly and in good faith, regardless of perceived severity. Early reporting enables TheBoardroom Africa to assess risks, take appropriate protective measures, and ensure that concerns are addressed in a timely and responsible manner.

Concerns may be reported through the following channels:

Email:   compliance@theboardroomafrica.com

Direct communication: with the Safeguarding Focal Point

Reporting form: via the EMERGE Safeguarding Incident Reporting Form

Anonymous reporting: through any additional confidential reporting mechanism available on the EMERGE website.

Reports may be submitted by staff, consultants, partners, participants, employer partners, or any third party who becomes aware of a potential safeguarding concern.

All reported concerns will be documented in accordance with the organisation’s safeguarding reporting procedures and recorded in the EMERGE safeguarding incident management system to ensure appropriate tracking, review, and response.

TBrA strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who raises a safeguarding concern or participates in a safeguarding review in good faith.

9. Incident Response and Investigation

Upon receipt of a safeguarding concern, TBrA will conduct an initial risk assessment to determine whether immediate protective measures are required.

All concerns will be documented confidentially and handled in accordance with TBrA’s safeguarding procedures. To support consistent and timely handling of safeguarding matters, TBrA will maintain a Safeguarding Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that outlines the operational steps for reporting, documenting, assessing, and responding to safeguarding concerns.

Where required, incidents will be reported to the Mastercard Foundation within the prescribed timeframe and in accordance with donor safeguarding requirements. Investigations will be conducted impartially and discreetly. Where appropriate, external expertise may be engaged to ensure independence and fairness in the review process.

Outcomes may include disciplinary measures, termination of contracts, partner disengagement, or referral to relevant legal authorities where warranted.

Affected individuals will be offered appropriate support, including referral to counselling or other support services where feasible.

10. Communications and Transparency

TheBoardroom Africa is committed to ensuring that safeguarding expectations and reporting pathways are clearly communicated to all individuals and organisations engaged in the EMERGE Programme.

Information regarding TheBoardroom Africa’s safeguarding commitments, including reference to this Safeguarding Policy and relevant reporting mechanisms, will be communicated through appropriate programme materials and engagement channels. These may include programme documentation, participant orientation materials, partnership agreements, employer engagement documents, and other programme-related communications.

Where relevant, communications relating to the EMERGE Programme may reference TheBoardroom Africa’s commitment to safeguarding and to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants. Such references may include links or directions to the Safeguarding Policy and guidance on how safeguarding concerns may be reported.

All partners, employers, facilitators, and programme personnel engaging with EMERGE participants will be informed of their responsibility to uphold safeguarding standards consistent with this Policy.

Communications concerning safeguarding matters will be handled sensitively and in a manner that protects the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of individuals involved.

11. Risk Management

A programme-specific Safeguarding Risk Register will be maintained and reviewed regularly. Identified risks include digital engagement vulnerabilities, cross-border implementation challenges, power imbalances in mentorship, and workplace exploitation risks.

Safeguarding performance will be incorporated into organisational risk monitoring and review processes.

12. Training and Awareness

All staff, consultants, and key partners must complete safeguarding induction training. Refresher training will be conducted annually.

Participants will receive safeguarding orientation at programme commencement, including clear information on rights and reporting pathways.

13. Policy Review

This Policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by organisational change, significant incident, or donor requirement.

Continuous improvement will be informed by participant feedback, incident trends, and audit findings.