National Ombuds – Somalia

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.

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization to which all SOS Children’s Villages including SOS Children’s Villages Somalia Association is affiliated. SOS Children’s Villages Somalia has officially been working in Somalia since 1985. SOS CV is currently working in 134 countries worldwide. We are committed to the welfare of children – often throughout the whole of their childhood, and to strengthening families and communities as a preventive measure in the fight against abandonment and social neglect. We also run education and health facilities. With the SOS Children’s Village concept, the organization pioneered a family approach to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children. SOS Children’s Villages upholds child protection policy and our selection processes reflect our commitment to the protection of children and youth from abuse. Banadir Region (Heliwa, Wadajir, Dharkenley and Dayninle districts) southwest-state (Baidoa, Burhakaba, Berdale, Qansaxdhere, Dinsor and Hudur) and Hirshabelle State (Jowhar, Adale & Balcad).

SOS Children’s Villages invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates who fulfill the eligibility criterion for the below position.

About the role:

Location of the role: Mogadishu - Somalia.

Contract: Fulltime limited employment contract, with the possibility of renewing, based on

performance and availability of the funds. 

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

The National Ombuds - Somalia, 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 SOS Children’s Villages Somalia.

The National Ombuds will operate independently from SOS Children’s Villages Somalia 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;

·         Somali and basic English skills.

·         Understand the foundations of the Ombuds’ work;

·         You have the legal right to live and work in Somalia;

·         Experience working in an NGO or international organization would be an asset.

We offer:

·         An employment contract for 40 hours/week.

·         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.

Application Procedure

We are looking forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV by 20th July 2026

 * 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.

You can find the link below for the position  

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.

In case you have question, please reach out to us by email: [email protected]