Global Director - Safeguarding
Working in close collaboration with various departments - Governance, Risk & Compliance, Legal, Global People Team, Programs, Audit, Communications, and Area Offices, the Director ensures safeguarding is integrated into enterprise risk management, program design, donor compliance, and operational protocols. The position provides leadership to a global safeguarding community of practice, strengthens capacity through training and technical support, and promotes prevention strategies that address power imbalances and systemic risks.
The role also guides case management and investigations, supports survivor-centered approaches, and represents HFHI in external safeguarding forums. With Habitat’s operations spanning 70+ countries and a workforce of over 1,000 personnel, this position is central to institutionalizing safeguarding and ensuring comprehensive duty of care stewardship across all levels of the organization.
This position will be remotely based in the US or Bratislava, Slovakia.
Key Responsibilities:
Safeguarding Culture, Leadership and Strategy (35%):
- Drive organizational accountability for safeguarding and embed a culture of shared responsibility across HFHI. Align safeguarding priorities with HFHI’s strategic vision and Duty of Care Framework, ensuring integration into programs and operations. Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership and influence cross-functional teams (Governance, Risk & Compliance, Legal, Global People Team, Programs, etc.).
Capacity Strengthening and Technical Support (25%):
- Equip staff, volunteers, and partners with tools and training to uphold safeguarding standards. Ensure safeguarding is embedded in program design and donor-funded projects. Support investigations and case management processes in collaboration with Governance, Risk & Compliance.
Risk Management and Compliance (20%):
- Integrate safeguarding into HFHI’s enterprise risk management processes. Ensure safeguarding risk controls align with HFHI’s Duty of Care Framework. Oversee reporting of safeguarding metrics and donor compliance requirements.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement (10%):
- Monitor progress on safeguarding objectives, risks, and compliance. Provide regular updates to senior management and the International Board of Directors. Promote learning and continuous improvement across the global safeguarding network.
External Engagement (10%):
- Work across functional areas to embed safeguarding within organizational systems. Represent HFHI in interagency forums and maintain strategic relationships to strengthen global safeguarding standards.
Key Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in relevant field such as social sciences, psychology, social work, or law.
- At least 10 years of professional experience managing safeguarding programs/polices (e.g. humanitarian protection, child protection, gender-based violence, orphans & vulnerable groups, etc.) for a federated nonprofit organization on an international level.
- Experience collaborating with various stakeholders in different time zones.
- Experience as a safeguarding subject matter expert in a matrixed organization, demonstrating creative leadership, and co-ordination.
- Experience working for an International NGO or UN agency.
Active support of HFHI Values & Commitments:
- Humility - We are part of something bigger than ourselves.
- Courage - We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
- Accountability - We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.
Safeguarding:
HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree.
- Proficiency in knowledge management platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Articulate 360).
- CHS PSEAH Investigations Certification Level 2 or above.
- Significant experience living, learning and working in cultures other than one’s own.
- Experience with survivors of crisis and trauma.
- Proficiency in additional languages (e.g. Spanish, French, Arabic).
The actual salary offered for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including location, internal equity and the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. HFHI offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that varies by country and typically includes vacation leave, sick leave, personal days, health insurance options, retirement plan contributions and life insurance. For work locations in the US, the hiring range for this position is $119,000-$140,000. For work locations in Slovakia, the target hiring range starts at 7,400 euros per month.
Application Deadline: February 10, 2026.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.
At Habitat for Humanity International, we are compelled by our Koinonia roots to put God’s love for all into action and pursue housing equity and opportunity by bringing all people together to build community and drive impact. We strive to build a culture rooted in learning, accountability and trust, attracting and retaining mission-driven talent reflective of the global communities we serve.
As an equal opportunity employer, we realize our success depends on courageously committing to being a workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued, and building a workforce that reflects a variety of lived experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, in which every person experiences dignity and respect.
We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children) and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.