Safeguarding Officer

Job Title: Safeguarding Officer

Location: UK, Remote

Salary: £45k - £50k per annum, dependent on experience

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Reports To: Global Safeguarding Lead

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Internal Contacts/Relationships: Programme teams(national and international staff), regional team, HQ teams (including UK, Europe, and US), HR, EXCO,

Key External Contacts/Relationships: Including but not limited to: donors, survivor support services in country, third parties, including community members, beneficiaries.

Job Purpose: To support the Global Safeguarding Lead (GSGL) to strengthen and embed safeguarding across all programmes and headquarters functions

About HALO:

HALO is the leading global NGO addressing the impact and drivers of conflict in 30 countries and territories, with over 8,000 staff. Most of our staff are local employees and include a growing number of women.

Our primary duty is to serve people affected by conflict, clearing landmines and the explosive remnants of war that threaten lives and livelihoods long after fighting has finished. We make land safe where war has ended, while also assisting those affected by active conflict and endemic violence.

HALO addresses human suffering caused by armed violence in some of the world’s most fragile places, securing weapons and ammunition and working with both state and community actors to reduce the prevalence of armed violence.

About the role:

The Safeguarding Officer plays a key role in supporting the Global Safeguarding Lead (GSGL) to strengthen and embed safeguarding across all programmes and headquarters functions. The postholder will provide expert guidance and support to programme teams, help drive continuous improvement through safeguarding self-reviews and action plans, contribute to safeguarding case management and investigations, and support the design and delivery of safeguarding training and awareness initiatives across the organisation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the monitoring and review of safeguarding self-reviews and action plans across programmes, providing practical support and guidance to ensure progress against agreed objectives. This may involve occasional international travel.
• Lead or support safeguarding risk assessments across programmes and functions, ensuring mitigation measures are identified, implemented and reviewed to reduce the risk of harm.
• Support programme teams to assess, strengthen and monitor safeguarding capacity within implementing partners, contractors and external stakeholders.
• Support the GSGL in the design, development, and delivery of safeguarding training programmes, ensuring staff at all levels understand their safeguarding responsibilities and are equipped to apply them effectively.
• Develop engaging safeguarding communications, awareness-raising resources, and training materials that are accessible, inclusive, and appropriate for diverse audiences and reinforce a speak up culture.
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of community-based safeguarding reporting and complaints mechanisms to ensure they are accessible, trusted and survivor-centred.
• Support safeguarding case management processes, ensuring responses are survivor-centred, confidential, timely and aligned with organisational policies and international best practice.
• Coordinate with HR, legal, security and programme teams on cases that involve employees, partners or contractors.
• Work collaboratively with recruitment teams across regions and programmes to promote and strengthen safeguarding practices throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.
• Coordinate and facilitate the safeguarding Community of Practice, bringing together safeguarding leads and focal points across the organisation to share learning, strengthen collaboration, and promote best practice.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of safeguarding systems, processes, and initiatives in response to organisational priorities and emerging needs.
• Support statutory and donor reporting obligations, including serious incident reports to the Charity Commission and notifications to institutional donors.
• Support Managers and safeguarding focal points in the field/country offices to apply policy consistently.
• Monitor developments in sector standards and regulatory requirements and flag implications for policy or practice.

General:

• Uphold HALO’s core values and standards, promoting its ethos and mission statement.
• Ensure familiarity with and adherence to all HALO policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties in a manner that is sensitive to cultural contexts and compliant with local legal frameworks.
• Champion and uphold safeguarding standards, acting with due care to protect anyone who comes into contact with HALO's work and reporting any concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Fulfil responsibilities in line with HALO's health and safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support departmental objectives and operational requirements.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional international travel required

Requirements

• Demonstrable international experience, or strong awareness of cultural differences across diverse programme settings, with up to date knowledge of international safeguarding standards.

• Demonstrable experience in safeguarding within an INGO.
• Experience of supporting or leading safeguarding investigations.
• Experience designing and/or delivering training and capacity-building activities.
• Proven ability to work effectively in complex, fast paced, and evolving environments, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
• Level 2 of the Investigator Qualification Training Scheme (CHS Alliance), or equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and develop effective working relationships across programmes and functions.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and committed to promoting and strengthening safeguarding practice.
• Ability to think analytically, draw conclusions and evidence analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience supporting the implementation of safeguarding systems, frameworks, or programmes.
• Level 3 of the Investigator Qualification Training Scheme (CHS Alliance), or equivalent.
• Experience working in the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) or related protection programming.
• Experience working in international development, humanitarian, or international operational settings.
• Willingness and ability to undertake international travel when required.
• Proficiency in another language.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 statutory holidays

• Non-contributory life assurance
• Private medical insurance
• Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5%
• Emergency medical insurance while travelling overseas
• Flexible working policy

Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by 24th September 2026. Applications without a cover letter tailored to this position will not be considered.

We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The HALO Trust is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.

Originally posted on Himalayas