Oxfam International is inviting applications for a Safeguarding Advisor – OiA to provide strategic and technical leadership on safeguarding across Sub-Saharan Africa. The position offers an opportunity for an experienced safeguarding professional to contribute to the prevention and response to sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and child abuse while strengthening organisational systems, accountability, and safeguarding culture across Oxfam’s African operations.
The role is a one-year fixed-term, full-time position and is open to candidates based in countries where Oxfam has an office or presence in Africa. The successful candidate must already have, and be able to retain, the legal right to work in their country of residence, as Oxfam International cannot guarantee work permits or support relocation.
The application deadline is 7 September 2026 at 23:59 GMT/BST/EAT.
About the Role
The Safeguarding Advisor will serve as a senior technical resource supporting Oxfam’s safeguarding strategy and programme across the African region. The position sits within the People and Culture Team while maintaining an independent professional role and providing trusted advice to the One Africa Director, Oxfam in Africa Leadership Team, and Country Directors.
The successful candidate will help develop and implement safeguarding prevention and response strategies across country offices and partners. The role will also involve strengthening safeguarding capacity, developing inclusive community feedback and complaints mechanisms, and ensuring appropriate referral pathways are available to people who raise concerns.
A key aspect of the position will be supporting survivor-centred case management, providing technical guidance on investigations and allegations, and promoting consistent safeguarding practices across Oxfam affiliates.
The Safeguarding Advisor will report to the Head of People and Culture for Oxfam in Africa, with a matrix reporting relationship to the Oxfam International Head of Safeguarding. The position will also provide matrix management to country-level Safeguarding Focal Points.
Key Responsibilities
The Safeguarding Advisor will be expected to provide leadership and technical support across a broad range of safeguarding functions. Responsibilities will include:
- Providing expert advice on safeguarding prevention and response across African country programmes.
- Strengthening organisational capacity to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and child abuse.
- Supporting survivor-centred approaches to safeguarding case management.
- Advising on investigations, allegation management, confidentiality, and sensitive case handling.
- Developing and strengthening community feedback and complaints mechanisms.
- Ensuring appropriate referral pathways are established and accessible.
- Supporting safeguarding capacity development across country offices and partner organisations.
- Promoting organisational culture change based on power awareness, feminist principles, accountability, and Oxfam values.
- Contributing to assurance and risk-management processes.
- Representing Oxfam externally in relevant safeguarding and inter-agency forums.
- Participating in the Global Safeguarding Network and contributing to relevant international safeguarding initiatives.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Oxfam is seeking a dynamic, resilient, and values-driven safeguarding professional with proven experience in the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and child abuse.
Candidates should have a strong record of providing safeguarding advice, technical assistance, training, and capacity-building support across diverse country contexts. Experience working within an international non-governmental organisation, United Nations agency, civil society organisation, or similar development or humanitarian setting will be highly relevant.
Practical experience in safeguarding case management, survivor-centred approaches, investigations, and complex or sensitive case management is essential. Candidates should also understand community feedback systems, referral mechanisms, confidentiality, ethical information management, and safeguarding requirements.
Knowledge of African safeguarding legal and regulatory environments will be important for effectively supporting country-level operations.
Language and Professional Skills
Exceptional communication and facilitation skills are required. The successful candidate should be able to communicate sensitive safeguarding issues clearly, build trust with diverse stakeholders, facilitate difficult discussions, and support organisational change.
Strong organisational skills, discretion, integrity, resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to manage competing priorities are also important.
Fluency in both English and French, written and spoken, is essential.
Experience in gender-transformative programming, organisational culture development, and representation in inter-agency Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) forums will be considered an advantage.
Location, Contract and Working Arrangements
The position is flexible within the Africa region, provided the candidate is based in a country where Oxfam has an office or presence and can be legally employed directly or through a hosting affiliate.
The appointment is for one year on a fixed-term contract. The role is classified at Internal Job Grade C1, National, with salary determined according to the applicable Oxfam pay range.
Oxfam supports flexible working arrangements and is open to discussing working arrangements that meet operational requirements.
About Oxfam in Africa
Oxfam is an international confederation comprising 22 affiliates and the Oxfam International Secretariat, working with partners and local communities across more than 76 countries.
Oxfam in Africa is a continental platform working with civil society organisations, governments, academics, private-sector actors, and communities to challenge structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. Its work includes humanitarian response, development, advocacy, gender equality, local leadership, and strengthening civil society organisations.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter demonstrating their suitability against the essential criteria outlined in the job profile.
Applicants should ensure that their cover letter clearly addresses their relevant safeguarding experience, technical expertise, leadership capabilities, language proficiency, and experience working across complex country or organisational environments.
Application deadline: 7 September 2026 at 23:59 GMT/BST/EAT.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, usually within two weeks of the closing date.
