National Ombuds Liberia

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-centered, 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.

• 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's 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 diversity-sensitive and representative;
• Bassa, Kpelle and basic English skills.
• Understand the foundations of the Ombuds’ work;
• You have the legal right to live and work in Liberia as a consultant;
• Experience working in an NGO or international organization would be an asset.

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