National Ombuds Lebanon

About us:

The Ombuds Office for SOS Children’s Villages is an independent office supporting children and young people in situations that have not been successfully resolved by SOS Children’s Villages safeguarding processes.

An Ombuds is a trustworthy person who can listen, support, and guide children and young people. There are national, regional, and global Ombuds.

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.

About SOS Children’s Villages Lebanon:

SOS Children's Villages Lebanon, founded in 1964, is a non-governmental, non-profit social development national association and a member of the International Federation of the SOS Children's Villages (SOS CV).

SOS Children’s Villages Programs

FAMILY-LIKE CARE

The family-like care strategy emphasizes family relationships; each individual in an SOS family receives a unique supporting identity and a sense of belonging. The bond between the children amongst each other and the SOS caregiver lasts long after they leave the SOS Children's Villages and become independent adults.

FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS

SOS Children’s Villages Lebanon also works to strengthen disadvantaged families by supporting caregivers in acquiring specific skills that will help enhance their economic situation.

 About the role:

Location of the role: Lebanon, Beirut

Fulltime

Limited Employment Contract – 12 months – with possibility of renewing based on the

existing funds.

In order to further their mission, SOS Children’s Villages has decided to implement an Ombuds Office.

The National Ombuds Lebanon, as designated neutral professionals, will build awareness, promote prevention, nurture child participation, and enable children and young people to be safe in all SOS CV programs and services.

She/He is a person of trust who has the skills and interest to work through their concerns and find a local solution by:

• Adhering to the principles of confidentiality, independence, informality and impartiality;
• Guiding a fair process through listening and supporting;
• Utilizing dispute resolution skills;
• Being a check and balance;
• Identifying trends and making recommendations to Lebanon SOS Children’s Villages and General Secretariat (GSC).

The National Ombuds will operate independently from SOS Children’s Villages Lebanon and will report to the Regional Ombuds.

Profile, skills and qualifications:

• 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' 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 diverse sensitive and representative;
• Arabic and professional proficiency in English. One official federation language: French, Spanish or is an advantage;
• Understand the foundations of the Ombuds’ work;
• You have the legal right to live and work in Lebanon;
• Experience working in an NGO or international organization would be an asset.

We offer:

• Training and development
• Support from the Regional Ombuds
• Satisfying and stimulating work
• Remote and in-person work arrangements
• The opportunity to work for an NGO that is a member of a recognized international network.

We are looking forward to receiving your motivation letter, application form and CV by 6^th July.

 * To protect the independence of the Ombuds Office, this position is not open to SOS Children's Villages employees or those who have been employed by SOS Children's Villages within the last 2 years, or for those who have relatives working for SOS Children's Villages.

** Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.

In case you have question, please reach out to us by email: hr@ombuds-sos-cv.org

You can find more detail about us here:

Ombuds Office - SOS Children's Villages (ombuds-sos-childrensvillages.org)

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