Head of Safeguarding
Colombo | London | Amsterdam | Amman | Berlin | Nairobi
- Organization: MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières (Artsen Zonder Grenzen) - Netherlands
- Location: Colombo | London | Amsterdam | Amman | Berlin | Nairobi
- Grade: Senior level - Senior
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Occupational Groups:
- Protection Officer (Refugee)
- Managerial positions
- Safeguarding and Accountability
- Closing Date: 2025-02-16
MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.
We provide emergency medical assistance during armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases and assist those who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based on need and when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization that remains impartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes the difference between life and death.
People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ArtsenzonderGrenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they work together.
With an immediate effect MSF-OCA is looking for an:
Head of Safeguarding
(preferably based in Amsterdam, open to MSF OCA offices, Colombo, Amman, Nairobi, London, Berlin)
The Head of Safeguarding at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF-OCA) is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing safeguarding policies and practices across the organization. This role enables MSF-OCA to live up to its responsibility to make sure their staff, operations, programmes and partners do no harm to those who come in contact with us. The Head of Safeguarding ensures that the five pillars of our safeguarding policy (culture & leadership, HR practices, programming & partnerships, communications & advocacy, and use of data and information) permeate throughout our organization and inform the way in which we deliver on our medical-humanitarian mission. The Safeguarding unit will reside in the Director’s Office, reporting to the deputy General Director, and thereby the Management Team, to ensure a transversal outlook and easy connections throughout OCA and the MSF movement.
Job overview
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You lead the safeguarding team and collaborate with various departments to integrate safeguarding measures across MSF-OCA's offices and global operations.
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You foster a culture of safeguarding, with an emphasis prevention, identification, responding, reporting, and learning.
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You will work across our country programmes and HQ departments to progress work on all the pillars of our safeguarding policy.
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You lead your team in all aspects of the safeguarding policy, including policy development, training, risk assessment, incident management, and continuous improvement of safeguarding practices.
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You oversee the development, quality, clarity and implementation of policies and practical tools, tailored to the reality of our country programs.
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You drive adherence to and further refinement of the Code of Conduct to improve responsible behaviour within the OCA workforce, working closely with OCA’s leadership, and other OC’s.
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You streamline incident management systems, with clear roles and responsibilities for stakeholders during case investigations.
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You ensure regular exchange within the MSF movement and contribute to an ambitious common approach to safeguarding.
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You ensure clarity and progress on our duty of care obligations towards staff, while also ensuring a fair methodology exists for offering solidarity support to staff undergoing hardship.
Candidate profile
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A degree in social work, law, Human rights, international development, or a related field.
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10+ years of experience in safeguarding, protection, duty of care or responsible behavior.
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Extensive experience in strategic managerial positions.
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Deep understanding of safeguarding issues and best practices, particularly in humanitarian contexts.
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Track record on creating buy-in & momentum for new organizational priorities.
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Strong communication and negotiation skills.
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Ability to translate strategic thinking into practical, actionable goals that contribute to long-term safeguarding improvements.
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English fluency is essential, French and Arabic are assets.
We offer
If based in the Netherlands: a Dutch employment contract based on 40 hours per week. A gross monthly salary range between 5,251 and 7,229 euros depending on relevant work experience, based on a full-time appointment.
Other benefits include:
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30 days off (based on a full - time employment)
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A premium free pension where MSF covers 100% of the monthly pension contribution
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8% holiday allowance paid out with the salary in May
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Discounted daily lunch at the office
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Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & work from home allowance
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An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world representing various cultures and background
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Annual personal development budget
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L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses
Application
If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via our website and upload a letter of motivation + Curriculum Vitae (in English) as one combined document.
The closing date for applications is February 16th at 23:59h.
Please note the application deadline specified above may be subject to extension at MSF-Netherland’s discretion.
Information
If you are interested in this post and would like additional information about the recruitment procedure, the terms and conditions or the organization, please contact recruiter Masha Petrovic (masa.petrovic@amsterdam.msf.org).
***No agencies please***
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.