Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.
CONTEXT
MSF's purpose is to alleviate suffering, promote health, and save lives. To achieve this, the highest standards of ethics and behaviour must be upheld. Staff are expected to follow a shared framework of values and Responsible Behaviour, as outlined in MSF's Behavioural Commitments.
In 2023, OCB decided to transform its ethics and behaviour management function, previously carried out by the Group for Advice and Research in Ethics and Conduct, into a Safeguarding Unit, in line with the advancement of safeguarding across the MSF movement.
Through the Safeguarding Unit Transition project launched in 2024, OCB is establishing a Safeguarding Unit embedded within the General Directorate and accountable to the MSF Board, with responsibility for prevention, case management and investigations, and safeguarding policy and strategy across headquarters and programmes. The project also supports the transition from the existing ethics and conduct structure to a dedicated safeguarding function aligned with MSF standards.
The development of the OCB Safeguarding Unit is an ongoing process that will continue throughout the OCB 2026-2031 Strategic Orientations, with the ambition of progressively strengthening integration, synergies, processes and procedures across OCB.
The Safeguarding Lead reports hierarchically to the Directorate General on strategy, results, budget and operational status, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality regarding investigations on a need-to-know basis. The role also reports to the MSF OCB Board on Safeguarding Unit activities and advises on complex case management matters.
The Safeguarding Lead directly manages the Safeguarding Manager, Case Management Manager and Safeguarding Unit Policy Advisor.
As OCB Safeguarding Lead, you will provide expertise, strategic leadership and direction for the continuous development of OCB's safeguarding strategy, policy and culture, based on OCB principles and core values. You will have overall responsibility for implementing the safeguarding strategy, achieving set goals, and ensuring coordination, consistency and oversight of MSF-wide safeguarding efforts.
You will lead all aspects of safeguarding across OCB global programmes, promoting the highest safeguarding standards with management, staff and governance bodies. Working across organisational boundaries, you will influence and implement priorities set by the Safeguarding Network and ensure safeguarding is embedded throughout OCB.
You will represent OCB internationally, develop strategic relationships across the sector and contribute to national, regional and international safeguarding developments.
You will lead the continuous improvement and delivery of the Safeguarding function, ensuring quality standards are met. You will influence, advise and support the Executive Leadership Team to ensure decisions are taken through a safeguarding lens and that matters affecting the safety and wellbeing of staff, volunteers and people MSF works with are brought to the attention of Leadership and the Board.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Global Safeguarding Strategy and Culture
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Enhance and oversee the delivery of the OCB Safeguarding Strategy ensuring it is enhanced, developed, and maintained and monitored, and is a mainstreamed issue within OCB
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Provide strategic vision to drive through essential, systematic integration of SG into all of OCB’s work
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Act as strategic lead for all constituents of safeguarding in OCB operations, with specific emphasis on preventative aspects of work
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Build a culture that embodies a consistent tone, energy and language on Safeguarding
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In close collaboration with OCB departments and Executive Leadership Team, drive the integration of safeguarding roles and responsibilities throughout all aspects of OCB’s work
OCB Safeguarding Systems, Policies and Systems
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Ensure that standards of safeguarding are maintained across all parts of OCB
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Ensure a robust and effective case management process & work to enhance the case management system
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Ensure the development of staff capacity through the promotion and embedding of safeguarding policies and procedures across the movement
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Oversee the Case Management and Reporting Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs)
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Enhance and maintain OCB Safeguarding standards and Operating Procedures to take into consideration learning through implementation and necessary changes
Thought Leadership and Influencing
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Participate in stakeholder engagement including participation in international sector platforms on safeguarding, benchmarking market best practice and positioning OCB as a thought subject -matter leader
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Strengthen the SG voice within program design, risk assessment and mitigation and safe programming in a coordinated and consistent way
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Ensure the integration of safe programming and safeguarding risk management throughout the project cycle, including safe and accessible community-based reporting mechanisms for SEAH and adequate safeguarding response capacity at country level, in close collaboration with the Operational Department
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Lead the coordination of safeguarding positioning and external engagement within the wider sector and represent OCB externally on sector wide debates on safeguarding management
Leadership of Safeguarding resources
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Engage with the members of the IPOB and Safeguarding network of colleagues across the movement
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Lead, support, and develop the OCB Safeguarding Team
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Management and leadership of the safeguarding team
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Ownership and management of the Safeguarding Unit budget
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Work with the HR Director to ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, including safe recruitment practices
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Monitor activity to ensure there is an adequate resource for the Safeguarding Unit
REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience
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Relevant qualification in safeguarding, law, ethics, social work, gender-based violence or a related field, and/or at least five (5) years' experience preventing, detecting and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and other forms of misconduct
- Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) investigation qualification (e.g. CHS Tier 3, CFE, CFF, CPA, CCEP or equivalent recognised certification)
- Minimum five (5) years' experience in a strategic role within a complex organisation
- Minimum five (5) years' experience working within an international NGO, UN agency or comparable international environment
- Experience leading or conducting safeguarding investigations and managing highly sensitive and confidential matters
- Experience working in multicultural and transversal environments and building trust across all organisational levels
- Experience leading and developing multicultural teams
Competencies
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Critical thinking, analytical and decision-making skills for the protection of vulnerable people
- People management, team leadership and influencing skills in complex organisational cultures
- Strong cross-cultural communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Experience in multicultural and transversal environments
- Ability to synthesise information from multiple sources with strong attention to detail
- Experience drafting strategic documents, policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
- Strong commitment to creating a safe working environment where people are heard and concerns are addressed
- Integrity, ethical judgement and self-awareness
Languages
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Proficiency of English, both written and spoken is mandatory
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Good knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic is an asset
Other
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Availability for international travel, including programme visits and safeguarding-related meetings
CONDITIONS
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Expected starting date: as soon as possible
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Location: Brussels (Belgium)
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Contract type: Open-ended contract with a 4-year mandate (extendable for max. 2 more years) – full-time
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Homeworking is possible as per MSF policy
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Relocation package included as per MSF policy
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Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid
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Meal Vouchers - Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs
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Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
- Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
Deadline for applications: 18 October 2026
How to apply?
➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button on this page
➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position
➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload (in pdf format)
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
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