Regional Safeguarding Advisor

Regional Safeguarding Advisor

Posting Description

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is seeking a talented professional for the role of Regional Safeguarding Advisor. Reporting to the Europe and Middle East (EME) Senior Director for Programs, with a dotted line to the Global Director of Safeguarding, this position will lead the regional safeguarding approach, including strategy, implementation, and continuous strengthening of safeguarding systems across the region, while contributing to global safeguarding priorities and initiatives. The Regional Safeguarding Advisor will foster a strong safeguarding culture and ensuring that safeguarding is effectively integrated across all aspects of operations, programs, partnerships, and leadership practices. This includes establishing and driving the regional safeguarding strategy and annual work plan, supporting the implementation of policies and procedures in line with global standards and local contexts, and strengthening accountability mechanisms, risk management, and reporting structures. The role supports prevention, reporting, response, and aftercare by working closely with country teams, safeguarding focal points, and cross-functional departments. It includes building capacity through training and mentoring, promoting safer programming and partnerships, supporting survivor-centred approaches, and ensuring accessible and trusted reporting mechanisms. In addition, the Regional Safeguarding Advisor contributes to the development and contextualisation of global safeguarding tools and standards, collaborates with the global safeguarding team, and represents Habitat in relevant external safeguarding and PSEA networks within the region.
This position is to based in Bratislava, Slovakia and requires around 30% of travel.

The actual salary offered for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including internal equity and the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package. The monthly gross pay starts at 3570 EUR / month (based on previous experience + benefits).
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?

Safeguarding culture, leadership and strategy:

• Culture: Foster an organizational safeguarding culture, where safeguarding is prioritized at all levels of business, allegations are taken seriously, and stakeholders feel safe to report.
• Strategy: Establish the regional safeguarding strategy and annual work plan ensuring alignment with regional needs, the global strategy and duty of care framework.
• Policy and Procedures: Support the adoption and implementation of the safeguarding policy and procedures at the regional and country level, in line with mapping of local external environment (legislation, cultural considerations, etc.) and global guidelines.
• Leadership: Provide advice, support and guidance to managers and staff, ensuring that safeguarding measures are effectively integrated into regional and country operations, processes, and programs.
• Network: Advise, mentor and support Country Safeguarding Focal Points and Officers with implementing and improving safeguarding practice at project and country level. Actively participate in the global safeguarding community of practice. Oversee the regional safeguarding community of practice to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and ongoing learning.
• Risk Management: Collaborate with and provide advice to key teams within the area office and national organizations to conduct risk identification, develop and implement appropriate mitigating actions.
• Accountability: Support the implementation of accountability mechanisms, such as self-assessments, aligned with safeguarding pillars and standards to ensure regular reporting of safeguarding metrics. Provide regular updates to leadership on safeguarding performance at the local and regional level.
• External engagement: represent Habitat in safeguarding matters and at professional groups (e.g. PSEA Networks) in the region.

Prevention:

• Programming: Partner with the program teams to enhance safer programming and awareness-raising in communities where Habitat operates and the MEAL team for raising awareness around community reporting mechanisms. Support program teams in building partner capacity in the areas of safeguarding.
• Volunteer Management: Support the integration of safeguarding measures in volunteer activities.
• Project and Proposal Development: Serve as technical partners on safeguarding matters related to program design and proposal formulation ensuring compliance with donor requirements and standards.
• Capacity building: Lead safeguarding training planning and delivery for the region.

Reporting and Response:

• Reporting: Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues or concerns. Assist in enhancing local reporting channels for safeguarding concerns to ensure they are accessible, confidential and safe.
• Case Management: Provide regional support for case management, including advice on case assessment. Support fact-gathering as needed based on consultation with the investigations team.
• Aftercare: Support country and regional teams in implementing the Survivor Support Services Framework. Provide guidance to country teams on the aftercare and survivor-care referral processes, ensuring survivors receive appropriate and timely support.

Global Support:

• Collaborate closely with the Global Director of Safeguarding to ensure regional strategies are aligned with global priorities and initiatives. This includes reviewing and contextualizing global safeguarding tools to fit regional needs and contexts.

WHAT DO WE REQUIRE?

• Bachelors degree level of education in relevant field
• 5 years of prior experience of development/humanitarian work, or related work
• 5+ years of safeguarding experience or experience in a similar field such as protection, child protection, SGBV - preferably in an international non-profit organization
• 3+ years of safeguarding investigation experience, desired.
• Experience dealing with sensitive matters - highly confidential and discrete – and ability to build/maintain trust
• Experienced trainer, facilitator and mediator
• Experienced in change management and project management skills
• Must have a high level of resilience with the ability to be impartial and remain calm under difficult circumstances
• Must be able to impartial in the most challenging situations
• Must have excellent problem – solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• Active support of HFHI Values:
• Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
• Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
• Safeguarding:
• HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Preferred – in addition to minimum:

• Experience adhering to safeguarding compliance requirements from donors

Please submit your CV and Cover letter in English via Habitat Careers site.
DEADLINE: Closing date for applications is July 2, 2026.

About

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The purpose and goal of Habitat for Humanity International is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses in partnership with families in need. HFHI has an Administrative Headquarters based in Atlanta, Georgia, an Operational Headquarters based in Americus, Georgia and Area Office bases of operations in Manila, Philippines for our Asia and the Pacific work, San Jose, Costa Rica for our Latin American and the Caribbean work, and Bratislava, Slovakia, for our Europe, the Middle East and Africa work.

HFHI is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified personnel for all our positions in a manner that does not unlawfully discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran/reserve national guard status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Function

Safeguarding

Auto req ID

10936BR

Position Category

Full-time - Salaried

Position Type

International Employment

Geographic Location

Europe & Middle East

Location

Bratislava, Slovakia

Position Number

TBD

Required Travel

30%