CONTEXT

MSF’s mission is to alleviate suffering, promote health, and save lives. To achieve these goals, it is essential to uphold the highest standards of ethics and behavior. Staff, while providing aid to vulnerable populations, are expected to adhere to a common framework of value and Responsible Behavior: which is concerned with people’s actions on an individual level as per MSF Behavioral Commitments.

In 2023, the MSF Operational Center Brussels (OCB) resolved, as per the OCB General Assembly’s, OCB Strategic Orientations 2020 – 2023 and as per the “Review of OCB Behavior systems” finalized in December 2023 and approved in March 2024 by the OCB Committee of Directors and in June 2024 by the Board, to evolve its ethics and behavior management carried out by the Group for Advice and Research in Ethics and Conduct into a Safeguarding Unit, in synchronization with the advancement of Safeguarding across the MSF movement.

Following this decision, the project “Safeguarding Unit Transition” initiated in September 2024 supported by a Project Manager and kicked off in December 2024 with two objectives:

The main objective is to develop a Safeguarding Unit, a structure that is embedded in the General Directorate of the Operational Center Brussels and accountable towards the MSF Board with the following areas of responsibilities: Prevention, Case Management & Investigation, Policies and Strategies for both Headquarter and Field staff.

The specific objective is to transition from the Group for Advice and Research in Ethics and Conduct, which is the entity that since 2001 works as a multidisciplinary and independent group of associative and executive volunteers who receive and investigate complaints related to behavior and abuse in the field, to the Safeguarding Unit, in alignment with MSF Forms of Abuses and Inappropriate Behaviors IPOB July 2021 and Safeguarding Standards.

The development of the OCB Safeguarding Unit is and will be an ongoing process, foreseen to continue throughout the MSF OCB 2026-2031 Strategic Orientations with the ambition to include a phased integration in OCB to increase synergies and reinforce processes and procedures.

Safeguarding Officer, you play a key role in contributing to the visibility and the integration of the MSF OCB Safeguarding Framework in the various MSF OCB contexts and projects, contributing to the development of the Safeguarding Unit fostering a cultural shift within MSF, ensuring alignment with its values and principles. Reporting to the Safeguarding Manager, you collaborate closely with projects teams, strengthening safeguarding practices across various contexts. You coordinate with the Country Coordinator, and Safeguarding Focal Points in operational countries, providing support to identify and manage safeguarding matters while promoting awareness, prevention, and effective safeguarding procedures.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Safeguarding Unit in disseminating prevention tools already developed and still to develop (videos, leaflets, posters)
• Support the projects in the adaptation of the tools to enhance the safeguarding approach in the specific contexts (revise contractual documentation and clauses, support the creation of safe reporting mechanisms, advise on safe programming matters etc.)
• Analyze existing sensitivity, knowledge, barriers, and awareness in relation to Safeguarding, the current weaknesses in the project and to adapt the awareness sessions to the context
• Raise awareness on Safeguarding and on how to welcome a complainant in a sensitive and adapted manner to provide or raise a safeguarding concern, including where to refer complaints
• Support the Country Responsible and the projects to define and establish more secure and accessible feedback and complaint procedures, for staff, community, and patients
• Design sensitization material and methodologies for patients and caretakers, MOH staff, on safeguarding.
• Guide and support the HR Coordinator in analyzing the available local resources for correct referral of cases when MSF cannot take in charge of them (Referral Mapping)
• To conduct SEAH prevention sessions with MSF staff both in the projects and in MSF OCB offices
• To train MSF staff (such as HR Coordinators and Safeguarding Focal Points) on how to act as safeguarding advocates in the projects. Develop and conduct TOT trainings on raising awareness and sensitize on Safeguarding matters the teams in the projects
• Produce regular reporting including assessment of the context related to barriers, weaknesses and strengths of the project, main topics of discussion and problems encountered, sessions and trainings done, reporting and communication systems that are in place or in need to be established/ to change
• To collaborate with other MSF sections and NGOs in facilitating awareness sessions
• Participate in team discussions within the Safeguarding Unit and act as a focal point for the Safeguarding Mobile Implementation Officers on a day-to-day basis
• Collaborate and network with*:* Country Responsible, HR Coordinator, Safeguarding Focal Point, Learning and Development Unit, HQ Staff Health to ensure ad hoc punctual support

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in law, social science, social work, education, development studies, gender studies or psychology or any other relevant area of study
• Minimum 2 years’ working experience in safeguarding or related fields such as child protection or gender-based violence projects, preferably in an international NGO setting
• Minimum 2 years of experience in (safeguarding) training programs and raising awareness to diverse audiences in the humanitarian sector
• Knowledge of child and adult protection policies, practices, and legislation internationally or applicable to humanitarian contexts, and an understanding of the differences internationally is an asset

Competencies

• Safeguarding Trainings (PSEAH, types and signs of abuse)
• Ability to think critically and analytically enabling excellent decision-making abilities around the protection of vulnerable people
• Strong people skills with the ability to navigate complex organisational culture
• Communication: Confident and engaging, strong cross-cultural communication abilities
• Experience in multicultural transversal settings
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Discreet and able to handle information sensitively
• Strong motivation to ensure MSF OCB is a safe work environment where people are heard, and concerns are addressed
• Integrity and Ethical Judgement
• Excellent communication skills ability to produce professional and adapted communication and sensitization materials, and written reports, online and face to face trainings or workshops to a wide variety of audience, including patients and local communities
• Ability to develop effective professional networks with a range of peers within an organization, and externally, in order to influence, progress an agenda, ensure relevance and best practice, and make an impact
• Ability to be self-motivated and work independently with a high degree of professionalism, to achieve objectives, as well as work collaboratively within a team

Languages

• Proficient level in English or French, both spoken and written is mandatory
• Good knowledge of Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese is an asset

Other

• Availability to travel to the OCB projects on a regular basis

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible

• Location: Any location(s) within 3 hours from the Brussels time zone where there is an MSF entity

  *The final outcome depends on local legal limitations (residency, work permit, etc.) and on agreement with the hosting MSF entity/office of the/se location/s. The local contract and standard salary grid will then apply

• Contract type: Open-ended contract – full-time

• Mobility: Regular project visits, with a minimum of three per year

• Salary according to MSF grid

• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF function and salary grids

• 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: 22nd May 2025

How to Apply:

➢ Submit your application via the ‘Apply here‘ button on our vacancy 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

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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