Regional Ombuds – East and Southern Africa (ESAF)

About us:

The Ombuds Office for SOS Children’s Villages is an independent office supporting children and young people in situations that have not been successfully resolved by SOS Children’s Villages safeguarding processes.

An Ombuds is a trustworthy person who can listen, support, and guide children and young people. There are national, regional, and global Ombuds.

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 Ombuds Office work independently of SOS Children’s Villages, as a check and balance to safeguarding with the goal of finding a solution to the concern raised.

SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS CVI) is non-governmental and non-denominational organization working with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children are fulfilled in every society. SOS CVI is a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing the care. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development. Everything we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide.

About the Regional Ombuds – East and Southern Africa (ESAF) role**:**

Location of the role: Addis Ababa

Fulltime - 2 years Employment Contract (with the possibility to extend it)

The Regional Ombuds - East and Southern Africa (ESAF), as a designated neutral professional, will respond to concerns that the SOS Safeguarding Team has been unable to resolve to the satisfaction of the child, young person, or adult involved. The Ombuds Office is an innovative approach to strengthening child safeguarding and accountability within SOS Children's Villages globally.

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 according with the SOS Children’s Villages procedures. 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.

The Regional Ombuds will operate independently from SOS Children’s Villages and will report to the Global Ombuds.

The Regional Ombuds will:

• provide training and professional supervision to National Ombuds so they have the knowledge and skills required to support children, young people, care leavers, their families, and staff at the SOS country level when they are unsatisfied with how SOS Children's Villages has responded to their concern;
• provide guidance, support, and training to National Ombuds to apply SOS Children’s Villages policies, regulations and processes. Help them navigate between SOS Children’s Villages and external processes and systems, as defined by national legislation and policy, in coordination with SOS Children’s Villages national and/or regional child safeguarding teams;
• identify and communicate regional themes and gaps within SOS Children’s Villages programmes, services, and personnel practice related to strengthening child safeguarding and submit findings to regional management, including the regional Child Safeguarding Team and the Global Ombuds, as appropriate, while maintaining the confidentiality of the Ombuds Office;

Profile, skills and qualifications**:**

• Master degree level in a relevant area such as mediation, social work, child psychology, sociology, child rights or protection, child and youth studies, law, or psychosocial wellbeing;
• Minimum five years demonstrated experience in one of the following fields: ombudsperson or mediation, child safeguarding, child protection, or child rights. Three years minimum experience in management and leadership. Conflict management experience desirable;
• Highly skilled in managing people and building effective teams across cultural contexts;
• Knowledge of children’s rights, human rights, best interests of the child, safeguarding, and related issues;
• Ability to work using child-centred principles;
• Facilitation/training skills using participatory methods;
• Excellent problem-solving and mediation skills;
• Ability to work in a virtual office and global team.
• Advanced English and professional fluency in a second regional language. Ability to speak and work in at least one additional regional language, especially French is added value
• You have the legal right to live and work in Addis Ababa.

We offer:

• The opportunity to innovate and make a significant, positive contribution to the child protection field and children's lives;
• Training and development;
• Support from the Global Ombuds;
• Satisfying and stimulating work;
• Remote and in-person work arrangements, according to regional rules;
• The opportunity to work for an NGO that is a member of a recognized international network.

How to Apply:

If you believe you are the right candidate for the above position, please send your detailed curriculum vitae (CV), and photocopies of academic certificates. Applications should be submitted electronically through the iCIIMS link provided. All applications should be submitted not later than 22nd of October 2023**.**

Applications that are late do not have a CV attached will be disqualified.

* To protect the independence of the Ombuds Office, this position is not open to SOS Children's Villages employees or those who have been employed by SOS Children's Villages within the last 2 years.

** Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.

In case you have question, please reach out to us by email: hr@ombuds-sos-cv.org

You can find more detail about us here:

Ombuds Office - SOS Children's Villages (ombuds-sos-childrensvillages.org)

“SOS Children´s Villages has zero-tolerance neither on sexual exploitation, harassment, and abuse nor fraud and corruption, amongst other safeguarding aspects. We also provide equal employment opportunities to all employees & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class. SOS Children´s Villages complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.”

This position involves working with an INGO committed to children and human rights and is subject to strict safer recruitment checks. The successful candidate will be required to complete safer recruitment checks including police and reference checks to help verify their suitability to work for SOS CV. In addition to candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, in the selection process will be also explored the motivation and approach of the candidate to safeguarding.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Keywords

Ombudschild safeguardingchild protectionmediationmanagement and leadershipconflict managementchildren's rightshuman rightsbest interests of the childsafeguardingproblem-solvingmediationvirtual officeglobal team