This job has closed.

Save the Children US · 1 day ago

Senior Advisor, Safeguarding, Protection and Community Engagement

Tennessee, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$109K/yr - $122K/yr

7+ years exp

Save the Children US is a leading organization focused on safeguarding and community engagement in early childhood education. The Senior Advisor will provide strategic leadership and technical assistance on safeguarding, manage complex investigations, and collaborate with agency leadership to foster a culture of safety and accountability within Head Start programs.

CharityMedicalNon Profit

Responsibilities

Serve as a thought leader and strategic partner to Head Start leadership and the National Safeguarding Team on safeguarding and protection across the portfolio

Lead the development and continuous improvement of safeguarding strategies, frameworks, and tools tailored to the Head Start context

Provide supervision, coaching, and mentorship to assigned safeguarding advisors across programs

Represent Head Start in agency-wide safeguarding initiatives, learning exchanges, and cross-functional workgroups

Analyze trends from incident data and recommend system-wide responses and policy improvements

Lead or support safeguarding-related investigations in collaboration with the National Safeguarding Team and HR, ensuring a trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and legally compliant approach

Oversee the intake, triage, documentation, and case management of safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely resolution and thorough follow-up

Prepare investigation reports with clear findings, recommendations, and risk mitigation actions

Act as liaison with internal stakeholders (e.g., HR, Legal, Compliance, EthicsPoint) and external agencies, as appropriate

Maintain high standards of confidentiality and integrity throughout all investigations and reporting processes

Provide high-level technical guidance to ensure adherence to SCUS Safeguarding Policies and Head Start’s Child Safeguarding Policy Notebook

Lead risk assessments across departments and develop action plans for mitigation

Support contextualization and delivery of safeguarding and child protection training to program leaders, staff, policy councils, and families

Promote and monitor the use of active supervision, positive guidance, and trauma-informed care practices

Support the development of child-friendly complaint and feedback mechanisms

Strengthen community-level partnerships to enhance local prevention and response systems related to child protection and family well-being

Provide strategic oversight of outreach initiatives and community-based safeguarding education campaigns

Advise on the integration of trauma-informed, family-centered practices in community engagement strategies

Guide implementation of safety and security policies across Head Start sites in alignment with OHS and SCUS protocols

Analyze safety incidents and provide recommendations to strengthen systems and prevent future occurrences

Qualification

SafeguardingChild ProtectionInvestigationsTrauma-Informed ApproachesRisk AssessmentCommunity EngagementCase ManagementSafety PoliciesLeadershipEquityInclusionChild-Friendly MechanismsEnglish ProficiencyInterpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsWriting Skills

Required

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, plus a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in safeguarding, child protection, or related field

At least 3 years leading or supporting safeguarding investigations, including case management, reporting, and follow-up

Strong knowledge of safeguarding standards (including PSEA), trauma-informed approaches, and child protection systems

Demonstrated leadership experience with a track record of managing cross-functional teams or initiatives

Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, with experience working across levels of authority

Strong writing skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise reports and action plans

Professional proficiency in spoken and written English

Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practice

Preferred

Advanced degree in Social Work, Child Development, Law, Public Health, or related field

Certification or formal training in safeguarding investigations or case management

Experience in federally funded early childhood education programs (e.g., Head Start)

Knowledge of local and state-level child welfare and protection systems

Benefits

Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities

Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family

Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits

Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees

Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)

Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events

Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services

Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

Company

Save the Children US

Glassdoor3.9

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.

Founded in 1932

Fairfield, Connecticut, USA

1001-5000 employees