Oxfam in Africa (OiA)  is a continental platform empowering country teams, building influencing relationships and advocating in Africa and beyond, in order to build a fairer world where people can thrive and not just survive.

Oxfam in Africa embraces all the Oxfam stakeholders’ entities (countries, clusters, advocacy offices and affiliates) on the continent and seeks to enable and enhance impact through collaboration and integration. The Africa platform will contribute to deliver Oxfam’s impact and Influence in Africa. The plural and robust leadership team will represent the different Oxfam stakeholders in the continent. It will include the Oxfam in South Africa (OZA) Executive Director (as the only affiliate currently in the continent and the new ones will be included in due time), the Country Directors, SAF Cluster Director from the programmes in Africa who will be leading on specific themes / priorities within Oxfam in Africa and the Africa Platform Senior Leadership Team (SLT). There will be collaboration with the North Africa cluster but no direct management relationships.

The Role

The Safeguarding Advisor will help deliver Oxfam’s safeguarding strategy and program to protect those we work with from all forms of abuse and exploitation, to contribute to and strengthen the safeguarding culture journey, and to promote within the teams a better understanding and adherence to Oxfam values. The Safeguarding Advisor will particularly work with the Africa platform and country leadership teams, and support and coordinate with OIS and EA safeguarding leads and focal points. The Safeguarding Advisor will support the development and implementation of safeguarding plans, and provide technical guidance in their review, monitoring and reporting of these plans.

This role reports to the Head of People and Culture for Oxfam in Africa

Who we're looking for

We are looking for a dynamic, charismatic and credible team player with the following: 

• Proven experience, content knowledge and specific training experience on issues of safeguarding of vulnerable persons, particularly in prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and child abuse.
• Experience in projects with a gender perspective, social and / or community transformation or work in People.
• Experience working within an international and multicultural context, preferably an INGO or UN context.
• Commitment to upholding and modelling Oxfam’s values, demonstrating integrity, diplomacy, professionalism, reliability, and resilience at all times.
• Able to always work professionally and with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to quickly build personal rapport and trust and to motivate people to adopt change.
• Empathy for the challenges survivors face in reporting and the pressures an investigation places on all stakeholders, including the alleged perpetrator and management.
• Trained in survey techniques and / or boosting processes for improving the organizational culture.
• Strong facilitator and presentation skills and public speaker, capable of delivering messages appropriately to a variety of audiences, building a sense of passion and engagement.
• Experience of conducting investigations, experience in conflict management/resolution and managing sensitive/complex cases (desirable).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal in English and French (bilingual)

What we offer

At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you have the same opinion, together with the ability to meet the challenges involved, this role offers scope for immense personal fulfilment – as well as outstanding opportunities to develop your career. Oxfam is committed to providing a fair compensation package and a flexible working environment

How to apply

Please click on the "apply" button to start the application process. Please upload and up-to-date CV and a covering letter, clearly explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, usually within 2 weeks of the closing date.

About us

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

We are an international confederation of 21 organizations (affiliates) plus the Oxfam International Secretariat, all working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

All our work is led by our core values:- Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality. 

Our commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Please note that Oxfam International participates in the Inter-Agency Scheme for the Disclosure of Safeguarding-related Misconduct in Recruitment Processes within the Humanitarian and Development Sector. Under this scheme, if you have been employed by another member of the scheme, we will request information from that organization on any misconduct history in accordance with the terms of the scheme. For scheme details please click here

Oxfam International is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace.