SOS Children`s Villages is hiring a
SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization for the global federation of SOS Children’s Villages. As a non-governmental social development organization, we support children without parental care and families in difficult living conditions through services in care, education, health and emergency relief, and we advocate for the rights of children and young people, in alliance with a great diversity of partners. We work in 136 countries and territories, reaching over one million children, young people, families and caregivers each year.
To support us with this important responsibility we are now looking for a committed:
REGIONAL CHILDREN'S OMBUDSPERSON (Advocate)
(F/M)
Location: Dakar or Lomé
Type of contract: Consultancy
Mission:
The Regional Ombuds and the rest of the SOS Ombuds Office (i.e., National Ombuds, other Regional Ombuds) work independently regarding management and accountability, but they align to SOS policies and processes. The Regional Ombuds position is contracted by SOS Children's Villages, but it is accountable to the Ombuds Board in a consulting and independent role to ensure the Ombuds is a stable resource with sufficient oversight and focus.
The Ombuds Office is an innovative approach to strengthening child safeguarding and accountability within SOS Children's Villages globally. The Office is carried out with a rights-based approach in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Developed with input from children and young people, the Ombuds Office functions on the fundamental principles of independence, impartiality, confidentiality, and informality. Honouring these principles are critical to the success of the Ombuds Office.
The Regional Ombuds is to provide checks and balances to SOS Safeguarding systems at the national and regional levels. The Regional Ombud's main role is to support the National Ombuds in determining solutions at the local level, ensure relevant training for Ombuds personnel, and define and communicate trends to SOS Children's Villages, National Directors, National and Regional Child Safeguarding Teams, and Member Association Boards.
The Regional Ombuds serves as a designated independent consultant providing informal and confidential professional support to National Ombuds in resolving inquiries at the national level. The Regional Ombuds will provide advice, guidance, and support to the National Ombuds so they have the knowledge and skills required to be successful in their role. The goal is to promote fairness of process and successful conflict resolution within SOS Children's Villages member associations through the Ombuds Office fundamental principles.
Main Activities:
Requirements:
We offer
The opportunity to innovate and make a significant, positive contribution to the child protection field and children's lives
Remote and in-person work arrangements
The opportunity to work for an NGO that is a member of a recognized international network
In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, this position will be subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks. Please be ready to provide supporting documents, current within the last three years.
What We Stand For: **
SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organization, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action
SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for our staff, the children and young people and the communities that we work for. The organization prohibits harassment, exploitation and abuses by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, child, young people, community, contractor, applicant, or other individual with whom SOS Children’s Villages employees come into contact by virtue of their work. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our prevention and protection against Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse policy.
In addition, SOS Children’s Villages apply a zero tolerance concerning any fraud situation. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
If you are interested by this position, please send your application with your CV, your cover letter highlighting how your experience contributes to the role and how you will support the implementation of this project, 3 professional referees, a copy for your diplomas and a financial offer by December 18th at the latest.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.