National Ombuds Zambia

The Ombuds Office for SOS Children's Villages is an independent entity within SOS Children’s Villages dedicated to supporting individuals concerned about the safety or well-being of children and young people involved in SOS programmes and services, past or present. Its approach is child-centred, participatory, and 'ground-up', meaning it adapts to each national context and seeks local solutions to local challenges.

An Ombuds is a trustworthy individual who listens, supports, and guides children, young people, and adults to find solutions to their concerns related to children and young people.

Each Ombuds follows the four principles: Confidentiality, Impartiality, Independence and Informality. They 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 Zambia is part of a global federation dedicated to the care and support of children without parental care and families at risk. We work to ensure every child belongs to a family and grows with love, respect, and security. Join our mission-driven team and contribute to sustainable change.

• Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience in one of the following fields: ombudsperson, mediation, child safeguarding, child protection, or child rights;
• Bachelor’s or higher degree in a relevant area such as child rights or child protection, child and youth studies, mediation, social work, child psychology, safeguarding or psychosocial wellbeing, law, or equivalent;
• Good level of knowledge of children’s rights or child protection/prevention and related issues - child safeguarding, child development and health, law, policies, regulations and International Standards related to children's care;
• Minimum 3 years demonstrated experience in working with children and youths;
• Experience in working in communities;
• Very good listener with good observational skills;
• Strong communication skills;
• Strong facilitation/training skills - Ability to develop and implement engaging trainings and ongoing support workshops for staff and children' representatives;
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with children and young people, to identify marginalized children and young people and connect with them and build trust;
• A problem solver, adviser and mediator capable of resolving young people’s and adults’ concerns effectively and in a timely manner;
• Understanding of the local context, including laws, policies, practices, language and social norms;
• Be gender and diverse sensitive and representative;
• Local language and basic English skills.
• Understand the foundations of the Ombuds’ work;
• You have the legal right to live and work in Zambia;
• Experience working in an NGO or international organization would be an asset.

You can find more detail about us here:

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

In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, this position will be subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks.