The Global Fund and Gavi Select Next Ombuds

Rahele Stoessel Malanca has been appointed the new Ombuds for The Global Fund and Gavi, the world’s largest public-private health partnerships that are funding vaccines and diseases prevention in low-income countries. Based at the joint offices in Geneva, Malanca will provide Ombuds services to employees and contractors worldwide following IOA standards.

Job Posting: SOS Children's Villages, Malawi

The Austria-based international development organization for children is hiring National Ombuds in the capital city of Lilongwe. The full-time, 20-month contract position is expected to report to Nandisa Tilayi, the SOS Regional Ombuds for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Water Environment Federation Retains MWI for Conference Ombuds Services

WEF, an international professional association for water quality professionals, has expanded its partnership with MWI, entering into a two-year agreement for conference Ombuds services at WEF Events through 2027. Caitlan Hendrickson has been the conference Ombuds for WEF's Technical Exhibition and Conference since 2022 and will be joined by Jai Calloway and Josh Hoch. MWI provides services in alignment with IOA standards, supporting WEF’s efforts to foster respectful and inclusive professional environments at its conferences.

ENOHE Offers Conference Grants for New Ombuds from the Global South

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education is offering grants to support up to five higher education Ombuds who are new to the field to attend its 2026 annual conference at AGH University of Krakow. Launched in 2025, ENOHE's initiative is intended to expand access for Ombuds in the Global South with fewer than three years of practice. Each grant covers the conference registration fee and provides a €500 stipend toward travel and accommodation expenses.

New Jersey Bill Would Establish Transfer Ombudsperson

The New Jersey General Assembly is considering A1315, which would create a New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. (An identical bill is pending in the state senate.) The bill would authorize the Ombuds to assist students and public institutions with credit-transfer disputes, serve as an impartial third-party mediator upon request, review the statewide transfer agreement, and issue an annual public report. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee. 

Extended Call for Presenters: CIDR's 2026 Symposium at Saint Paul University

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has extended the submission deadline for its annual symposium in May 2026. The deadline for proposals is now March 2, 2026. The hybrid virtual and in-person conference, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times," will be keynoted by Bernie Mayer. (CIDR Call for Papers and Panels.)

Save the Date: IOA September Symposium 2026

The International Ombuds Association has announced that its September Symposium will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC. Further details will be posted when they become available. (IOA Events.)

U.S. House Bill Would Create New Intelligence Ombuds at DHS

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill (H.R. 7435) that would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and an Intelligence Ombuds within the Department of Homeland Security. The proposal appears focused on intelligence-related transparency and oversight matters within DHS and has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Job Posting: University of California, San Francisco

The UCSF Office of the Ombuds is seeking an Associate Ombuds. The full-time position will report to Director and Ombuds, Ellen Goldstein, and join two Associate Ombuds, Kate Flynn and Paula Trejo-Phillips, and Ombuds Coordinator, Jonah Pedersen. The Associate Ombuds provides impartial, informal, independent, and confidential services to faculty, staff, trainees, students, and Medical Center employees. Regular onsite work is required, but a hybrid schedule is available. 

ABA Ombuds Committee Open Meeting for Early Career Ombuds

The Ombuds Committee of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section is hosting a three-part series on the life cycle of an Ombuds. The first session is "Emerging Ombuds: New & Early Career Reflections" and takes place on February 24, 2026, at 12:00pm EST. All three sessions are open and free to nonmembers. 

Call for Presenters: USOA 2026 Conference in Michigan

The United States Ombudsman Association is seeking plenary and breakout session speakers for its 45th annual conference. The event is set for September 2-4 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, Michigan. Speakers should be interested in sharing their knowledge and experience relevant to the Public Service Ombudsman profession and USOA membership is not required.

IOA Foundations Course Coming to San Francisco and Ottawa in May 2026

The International Ombuds Association will offer its signature, in-person training only twice this year. (There are nine opportunities to take Foundations virtually.) The three-day training is set for May 4-6 in San Francisco, California, and May 13-15 in Ottawa, Ontario. Registration is now open and registration is capped at 36 participants for each course.

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Names Next Ombuds

Karin Weißenborn has been appointed the next Ombudsperson at The Hannover Medical School in Germany. She follows Thomas Werfel, who served for 12 years in the role and who will now be the Deputy Ombuds. As the MHH Ombuds, Weissenborn promotes the fair resolution of conflicts of interest and helps clarify or prevent unfair work in scientific research at the university. She explained, "As Ombudsperson, I make every effort to resolve conflicts neutrally, objectively and in a solution-oriented manner, and I hope for the support of the respective parties to the conflict." 

Video: From Decision Scientist to Ombuds

In a video interview conducted at the Society for Medical Decision Making last year, Scott B. Cantor recounts his professional journey from full-time decision scientist to Ombuds. (Cantor has been an Ombuds with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2018.) In the interview, he describes how principles of decision science inform his current practice, including how he assesses options, supports difficult choices, and approaches conflict resolution.

Job Posting: Northeastern Illinois University

The public state university in North Park, Chicago is seeking its next Ombuds. The search will reopen a program that has been dormant since 2022, when the prior Ombuds, Tyler Smith, returned to the National Institutes of Health. The NEIU Ombuds is a full-time, IOA compliant position that reports to the University President and serves faculty, staff, and 8,000 students.