The Vienna-based international development organization for children is seeking an Ombuds Framework Consultant to support its Global Ombuds Office during a six-month organizational transformation process. The consultant will review governance changes, analyze alignment with existing Ombuds procedures, and propose updates to guidance, toolkits, and frameworks. The role also includes advising on the scale-up process, supporting Regional Ombuds during transition phases, and assisting with participation of children and young people and related communications. The consultancy is expected to start on March 1, 2026.
Applicants should hold an advanced degree in law (preferably international law), governance, organizational development, accountability, or a related field, with strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills. Fluency in English is required; French is preferred, with Portuguese and Spanish as assets. Applications are due by February 3, 2026. No compensation range is indicated. (Impact Pool.)
The SOS Ombuds program is a strange hybrid of organizational and classical ombuds. There is a lot of ambiguity and vagueness about the role of the SOS ombuds. Meanwhile, SOS has faced significant controversies regarding child safeguarding, financial mismanagement, and governance. The current ombuds scheme came as part of a response to the problems and was funded for five years by a semi-autonomous German affiliate (SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit). This posting seems to indicate that the General Assembly, International Board, and/or German funders understand there is a problem and need some guidance and clarity about the Global Ombuds Office. Applicants would well advised to talk to people off the record to get a sense of what they might be getting into.
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