Safeguarding Coordinator at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Protecting Communities in Humanitarian Operations-Apply before 30 Jun 2026
Humanitarian organizations increasingly prioritize safeguarding to ensure that vulnerable communities and staff are protected from harm. Médecins Sans Frontières, also widely known as Doctors Without Borders, is currently recruiting Safeguarding Coordinators to support its global operations.
This role focuses on strengthening safeguarding systems across humanitarian programs, ensuring that policies, training, and operational practices effectively protect patients, staff, and communities.
About Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency healthcare to people affected by conflict, disasters, epidemics, and exclusion from healthcare.
Founded in 1971, the organization operates in dozens of countries, delivering life-saving medical services in some of the world’s most challenging environments. The organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for its pioneering humanitarian work.
Safeguarding is a critical component of MSF’s mission, ensuring that humanitarian assistance is delivered with dignity, accountability, and respect for all individuals.
Role Overview
The Safeguarding Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring that safeguarding principles are embedded throughout MSF’s operations.
The position focuses on preventing, mitigating, and responding to harm by promoting strong safeguarding practices across country programs. Safeguarding coordinators help ensure that policies and behavioral commitments are translated into everyday operational practices.
Successful candidates will join a global safeguarding talent pool, from which they may be deployed to different country programs based on operational needs.
Core Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a Safeguarding Coordinator vary depending on the country context and operational priorities. However, the role typically focuses on implementing and strengthening safeguarding systems across humanitarian programs.
Implementation of Safeguarding Policies
Safeguarding Coordinators are responsible for operationalizing MSF’s safeguarding policies and code of conduct.
Key tasks may include:
- Implementing safeguarding frameworks within country programs
- Ensuring staff follow organizational safeguarding policies
- Integrating safeguarding practices into daily program activities
- Supporting leadership teams in maintaining high ethical standards
These efforts ensure safeguarding becomes a core part of the organizational culture.
Awareness Raising and Training
Another critical responsibility involves building awareness and understanding of safeguarding principles across teams and communities.
Safeguarding Coordinators may:
- Conduct training for international and national staff
- Facilitate safeguarding awareness sessions for leadership teams
- Support community engagement initiatives
- Promote safe reporting mechanisms for safeguarding concerns
Training and awareness programs help strengthen prevention and accountability.
Safeguarding Advice and Technical Support
The role also requires providing expert guidance to teams working in different operational environments.
Responsibilities can include:
- Advising country teams on safeguarding implementation strategies
- Supporting the integration of safeguarding into operational plans
- Clarifying roles and responsibilities within safeguarding processes
- Ensuring best practices are followed across the program
This advisory role helps organizations maintain consistent safeguarding standards across projects.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Analysis
Monitoring safeguarding practices and identifying trends is another important aspect of the position.
Safeguarding Coordinators are responsible for:
- Monitoring the progress of safeguarding initiatives
- Tracking safeguarding incidents and response actions
- Producing analytical reports on safeguarding practices
- Identifying areas for improvement and risk mitigation
These activities help strengthen organizational learning and accountability.
Required Experience and Skills
Candidates applying for the role should have professional experience related to safeguarding or protection within humanitarian or development programs.
Essential qualifications include:
- At least two years of experience in safeguarding or related roles
- Experience delivering safeguarding training and awareness programs
- Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, regulations, and best practices
- Experience handling sensitive and confidential issues
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently in complex environments
Candidates should also demonstrate strong initiative and problem-solving abilities while working with diverse teams.
Languages and Additional Experience
Fluency in English is essential for this role. Knowledge of additional languages such as French or Arabic is considered highly valuable, particularly for assignments in multilingual humanitarian settings.
Experience working in emergency contexts is also desirable, as safeguarding coordinators may be deployed to crisis-affected regions.
Deployment and Career Opportunities
Successful applicants will be placed in a safeguarding talent pool managed by Médecins Sans Frontières.
From this pool, safeguarding coordinators may be deployed to different country programs on fixed-term contracts, depending on operational needs. Assignments may take place in a wide range of humanitarian contexts, including emergency responses and long-term medical programs.
Strengthening Safety in Humanitarian Work
Safeguarding is a critical component of responsible humanitarian action. By ensuring policies are implemented effectively and promoting a culture of accountability, Safeguarding Coordinators play a vital role in protecting both communities and humanitarian staff.
Through this position, professionals working with Médecins Sans Frontières contribute to creating safer humanitarian environments while supporting the organization’s mission of delivering lifesaving medical assistance with dignity and respect.
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