• Deep personal commitment to child safety and to protecting communities from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment

• High degree of empathy, discretion, and sound judgement when handling sensitive and confidential matters

• Confident, culturally sensitive communicator, able to influence and build trust across diverse teams and communities

• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple countries and time zones

• Resilient and calm under pressure, with a solutions-focused approach to difficult situations

• Willing and able to travel regularly to Program Countries across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America

• Aligned with the organisation’s mission, values, and community-led approach

About the Role

Based in Kampala, Uganda, the Safeguarding Officer holds global responsibility for strengthening and embedding safeguarding practice across all countries and offices where the Organisation operates. This role leads the implementation of Child Protection and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policies, tools, and systems, ensuring that every program, partner, and staff member operates to the highest standards of safeguarding.

The Safeguarding Officer acts as the organisation’s technical lead and central point of contact for safeguarding matters, working closely with Country Leaders, Country Safeguarding Focal Points, Human Resources, and global leadership to build a consistent, survivor-centred safeguarding culture.

Key Responsibilities

Policy & Tools Implementation

• Lead the continuous improvement of Child Protection and PSEAH policies, codes of conduct, and standard operating procedures across all Hunger Project countries and offices

• Translate global safeguarding policy into practical, context-appropriate tools, guidelines, checklists, and templates that country teams and partners can apply consistently

• Ensure policies and tools align with international standards and donor requirements, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the IASC PSEAH Minimum Operating Standards, Keeping Children Safe standards, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) safeguarding standards

• Maintain the global safeguarding policy suite, ensuring version control, accessibility, and translation into relevant local languages

Training & Capacity Building

• Design and deliver safeguarding induction and ongoing refresher training for staff, volunteers, partners, and Board members across all Program Countries

• Build the capacity of Country Safeguarding Focal Points, equipping them to respond to concerns and champion safeguarding locally

• Develop e-learning modules, facilitator guides, and community-facing awareness materials adapted to local literacy levels and languages

• Track training completion and compliance across the organisation, reporting gaps and coordinating follow-up

Incident Management & Response

• Serve as the global focal point for safeguarding concerns and incidents, ensuring every report is handled promptly, confidentially, and in line with a survivor-centred approach

• Maintain and continuously improve the global safeguarding incident reporting and case management system, including community-facing complaint and feedback mechanisms

• Coordinate or oversee investigations into Child Protection and PSEAH concerns, ensuring due process, appropriate escalation, and referral to specialist support services

• Advise Country Directors and leadership on case management decisions, risk mitigation, and duty-of-care obligations

• Analyse incident trends and produce regular reporting for senior leadership and the Board, identifying systemic risks and recommending action

Risk Assessment & Compliance Monitoring

• Conduct/support safeguarding risk assessments for new and existing programs, partnerships, and country contexts

• Monitor country office compliance with safeguarding policy through periodic audits, spot checks, and self-assessments

• Support safeguarding due diligence for implementing partners, contractors, and new country start-ups

• Maintain screening, reference-check, and police-clearance requirements for all roles working with children and communities

Community & Organisational Culture

• Champion a strong, visible safeguarding culture and a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, and harassment across the organisation

• Work with country teams to ensure communities understand their rights, know how to raise concerns, and trust that reports will be taken seriously and acted upon

• Provide confidential guidance and support to staff and community members raising concerns

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Liaise with donors and partner countries on safeguarding accreditation, compliance, and reporting requirements

• Represent the organisation in relevant sector networks and interagency safeguarding working groups to stay current with best practice

• Support external audits, donor reviews, and accreditation processes relating to safeguarding

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, international development, human rights, law, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• 5+ years’ experience in a safeguarding, Child Protection, or PSEAH-focused role within international development, humanitarian, or NGO settings

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing safeguarding policy, tools, and systems across multi-country operations

• Experience managing sensitive incident reports and investigations using a survivor-centred, trauma-informed approach

• Proven experience designing and delivering training to diverse audiences, including remote and low-connectivity settings

• Strong working knowledge of international safeguarding standards and frameworks (UNCRC, IASC PSEAH Minimum Operating Standards, Keeping Children Safe, CHS Alliance)

• Fluency in English required; French or other regional languages highly regarded

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply to the Head of Human Resources by email to vacancy@futureoptions.org until 11:59pm on Sunday 1 November 2026.