Internals Only: Senior Safeguarding Specialist (Fundraising Members, Country Cluster)

Job description

Your mission The Safeguarding Specialist provides technical expertise to strengthen safeguarding practice across War Child Alliance, ensuring that safeguarding standards, policies, and approaches are consistently understood, applied, and continuously improved. The role supports the organisation to identify and manage safeguarding risks, embed safeguarding into programmes and organisational processes, and strengthen systems, capacity, and culture. Working across teams, functions, and contexts, the Safeguarding Specialist contributes to safe, accountable, and ethical ways of working that protect children, communities, and staff. What you will do: This role sits within the Integrity & Safeguarding function and works across country programmes, regional structures, and global teams. It supports coordination between HR, safeguarding, investigations, and operational teams to ensure a consistent and effective approach to integrity, safeguarding, ethical behaviour, and misconduct management. Provide technical safeguarding advice and guidance to managers and teams, supporting consistent interpretation and application of safeguarding standards, policies, and frameworks. Contribute to the development, refinement, and contextualisation of safeguarding approaches, tools, and frameworks to ensure they remain practical, relevant, and aligned with organisational and sector standards. Advise on the identification, assessment, and mitigation of safeguarding risks across activities, programmes , and partnerships, supporting informed and risk-aware decision-making. Guide the strengthening of safeguarding systems and processes, including reporting mechanisms, community feedback channels, and risk management practices, ensuring consistency and effectiveness. Support the integration of safeguarding principles into organisational processes, including programme design, partnerships, recruitment, and operational practices. Provide technical input to capacity strengthening efforts, including advising on learning approaches, training content, and capability development for staff, focal points, and partners. Contribute to monitoring, analysis, and interpretation of safeguarding data, trends, and risks, providing insight to inform organisational learning, improvement, and decision-making. Work across functions ( e.g. HR, programmes , MEAL, safeguarding, integrity) to promote alignment and coherence in safeguarding approaches, policies, and practices. ROLE-SPECIFIC OR CONTEXT RESPONSIBILITIES The Safeguarding Lead Fundraising Members+ is responsible for strengthening safeguarding awareness, risk management, and safe practices across Fundraising Member (FM) offices and supporting the a country office in the delivery of its I&S action plan. The role ensures that safeguarding is consistently integrated into fundraising, communications, advocacy, ambassador (or equivalent) engagement, and public-facing activities. This includes delivering training, supporting Focal Points, ensuring compliance with global standards, and providing oversight and guidance during fundraising events and campaigns. Where FM offices also implement War Child programmes, the role will additionally support safe programming activities, including with partner organisations as relevant. The role is also expected to contribute to wider I&S prevention activities as required . This role is expected to be mobile across Fundraising Member countries ; expected duration can vary depending on needs of the country. Awareness Raising & Capacity Building Work with Fundraising Member countries (UK, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and USA) to conduct safeguarding gap, risk exposure and context analysis reviews and develop action plans with clear deliverables Work with Fundraising Member Focal Points to ensure safeguarding materials are visible, accessible, and adapted to local context across all fundraising offices and fundraising-led events. Facilitate the Global Integrity & Safeguarding Community of Practice (Fundraising Members), providing FM-specific insights, learning, and follow-up actions. Coordinate and deliver safeguarding briefings for ambassadors, high-profile representatives and other groups (e.g. content gathering trips) to ensure that they receive appropriate sessions with in-country I&S representatives ahead of proposed visits. Work closely with the Fundraising Member Communications, Media and Advocacy teams to embed safeguarding, integrity and ethical practices including safeguarding in digital/online communications Ensure FM safeguarding practices align with FM Country regulatory expectations and s upport FM offices during any regulatory reviews and/or audits Your profile KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE Education Relevant qualification or equivalent professional experience in safeguarding, social work, psychology, international development, humanitarian action, human rights, or a related field is desirable. Experience Minimum of 2 years’ experience working on protection, PSEA and/or safeguarding with civil society / I/NGOs Experience of delivering safeguarding activities in emergency response situations Worked on safeguarding, protection, or related risk areas in a complex organisational or programme environment Supported or advised on safeguarding concerns, incidents, or risk management processes Contributed to the development or application of safeguarding policies, frameworks, or standards Worked across teams, functions, or partners to support consistent approaches to safeguarding practice Supported integration of safeguarding into programmes, partnerships, or organisational processes Contributed to capacity strengthening, learning, or awareness initiatives related to safeguarding or protection Worked with sensitive information and situations requiring discretion, sound judgement, and ethical decision-making Worked in international, humanitarian, development, or values-led environments Languages Fluency in English is required for this role. Additional languages may be useful depending on stakeholder groups and organisational context, for example Arabic, Dari, French, Spanish, or Ukrainian (Technical) Knowledge Knowledge of safeguarding principles, protection standards, and risk management approaches Understanding of safeguarding in both organisational and programme contexts, including partnerships and community engagement Understanding of relevant international standards (e.g. CHS, PSEA, safeguarding frameworks) and their practical application Ability to provide clear, practical, and context-sensitive technical advice Ability to assess and interpret safeguarding risks and support appropriate mitigation measures Ability to work across functions and build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders Ability to communicate clearly and support shared understanding on sensitive or complex issues Uses judgement to balance policy, context, and organisational values in decision-making Ability to support learning, reflection, and continuous improvement in safeguarding practice Supports inclusive, respectful, and values-led ways of working What we offer Location : We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation. Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply. Internals only may apply. Why You Should Apply Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change. Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network. Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide. Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all. How to Apply Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (CV and motivation letter in English) by June 26, 2026 . We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended. ________________________________________________________________________________ By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established. Disclaimer Only applications received via our website are processed. If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed. It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.