National Mediator Burundi
Limited employment contract 2 years
About Us :
The SOS Children’s Villages Ombudsman Office is an independent office that supports children and young people in situations that have not been successfully resolved by SOS Children’s Villages’ safeguarding processes.
An ombudsman is a trusted person who can listen to, support and guide children and young people. There are national, regional and global ombudsmen.
Each mediator follows the four principles: Confidentiality, Impartiality, Independence and Informality. They work independently from SOS Children’s Villages, as a safeguarding check and balance, with the aim of finding a solution to the issue raised.
About the position:
Place of work: Burundi
Limited employment contract 2 years
In order to continue its mission, SOS Children’s Villages has decided to set up a mediation office.
National Mediators – Countries, as designated neutral professionals, will raise awareness, promote prevention, foster child participation and enable children and young people to be safe in all SOS CV programmes and services.
This is a trusted person who has the skills and interest to look at their concerns and find a local solution:
- Respect the principles of confidentiality, independence, informality and impartiality;
- Guide a fair process by listening and supporting;
- Use conflict resolution skills;
- To be an element of control and balance;
- Identify trends and make recommendations to SOS Children’s Villages Burundi and the General Secretariat (SGC).
The national mediator will operate independently from SOS Children’s Villages Burundi and report to the regional mediator .
Profile, skills and qualifications:
- At least five years of proven experience in one of the following areas: mediator, mediation, child safeguarding, child protection or children’s rights;
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as children’s rights or child protection, child and youth studies, mediation, social work, child psychology, safeguarding or psychosocial well-being, law, or equivalent;
- Good knowledge of child rights or child protection/prevention and related issues – child safeguarding, child development and health, law, policies, regulations and international standards relating to the care of children;
- Minimum 3 years experience working with children and young people;
- Experience working in communities;
- Very good listening skills and good sense of observation;
- Strong communication skills;
- Strong facilitation and training skills – Ability to develop and deliver engaging training and ongoing support workshops for staff and children’s representatives;
- Proven ability to build relationships with children and young people, identify, connect with and build trust with marginalised children and young people;
- Problem solver, counselor and mediator able to resolve youth and adult problems effectively and quickly;
- Understanding of the local context, including laws, policies, practices, language and social norms;
- Take into account gender equality and diversity and be representative;
- Professional mastery of French and basic skills in English;
- Understand the foundations of the Mediator’s work;
- You have the right to live and work in Burundi;
- Experience working in an NGO or international organization would be an asset.
We offer :
- Training and development
- Support from the regional mediator
- A satisfying and challenging job
- Remote and in-person working arrangements
- The opportunity to work for an NGO that is a member of a recognized international network.
We are waiting for your cover letter, your Curriculum Vitae in English and Application Form in English before 31/01/2025 to the following email address : [email protected]
* To protect the independence of the Ombudsman’s office, this position is not open to employees of SOS Children’s Villages or to those who have been employed by SOS Children’s Villages in the last two years, nor to those who have relatives working for SOS Children’s Villages.
**Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email: [email protected]
You can find more details about us here:
Ombudsman’s Office – SOS Children’s Villages (ombuds-sos-childrensvillages.org)
In accordance with the organization’s child protection policy, this position will be subject to a background check, including criminal record.
Application form
Self-disclosure questions:
1. Have you ever been arrested, indicted or summoned in court as a defendant in a criminal proceeding or convicted, fined or imprisoned for the violation of any law (excluding minor traffic violations)?
No Yes: If yes, please provide details:
2. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary proceedings or measures?
No Yes: If yes, please provide details:
3. Have you ever been the subject of an investigation into allegations of misconduct?
No Yes: If yes, please provide details:
4. Our process includes asking referees whether there are any child protection or working with
vulnerable groups, other staff or assets concerns in your regard. Do you foresee any problem arising from this process?
No: Yes: If yes, please provide details:
- Have you, or your relatives, have been working for SOS Children’s Villages for the last 2 years?
No: Yes: If yes, please provide details:
I hereby, declare that the information provided is true and correct. I also understand that any willful dishonest may render for refusal of this application or immediate termination of employment.
Job Questions:
- What is your level of English (beginner, intermediate, professional)?
- How many years of experience in working directly with children do you have?
- What is your experience in working with children bellow 18 years old? Please briefly describe, including details regarding age range of children, years of experience, responsibilities.
- Please briefly describe your experience in defending children’s rights.
- Please briefly describe your experience in Safeguarding and/or Child Protection.
- Please briefly describe 1-2 personal qualities that would make you a good child friendly Ombuds.
- What are your yearly gross salary expectations? Please specify the currency.
- What is your notice period?
