Job Posting: Santa Fe College

The community college in Gainesville, Florida, is seeking an Ombuds and Senior Director, Student Affairs. The search will fill a position previously held by Bea Awoniyi. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this full-time leadership role also includes oversight of key student support programs, including the Disabilities Resource Center and Displaced Homemakers. The role includes supervision of staff, budget and grant oversight, and collaboration across campus and community partners. 

Podcast: Ombuds as Chief Vibe Officer

Sana Manjeshwar is the latest guest on Vibecast, a podcast by HR consultant, Kristi Skutvik. Manjeshwar explained how the Ombuds is distinct from HR, EAP, and therapy, and its value in surfacing concerns before they escalate. Majeshwar describes Ombuds as a “canary in the coal mine,” offering real-time cultural insight and a trusted space—often used by leaders themselves—while emphasizing that empathy, conflict awareness, and intentional leadership remain essential in ways AI cannot replicate. (YouTube.)

Job Posting: SOS Children's Villages, Jordan

The Austria-based international development organization for children is hiring National Ombuds in the capital city of Amman. The full-time, six-month contract position is expected to report to Sambieni Bienvenu, the SOS Regional Ombuds for West, Central & North Africa.

ENOHE Announces 2026 Conference Speakers

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education has announced speakers and session details for its 21st annual conference at AGH University of Kraków on June 10-12, 2026. This year's theme is "New Developments in a Maturing Profession: Ombuds Skills and AI" will connect emerging issues in artificial intelligence with Ombuds work in higher education.

Job Posting: Pennsylvania State University

The Public Ivy in Central Pennsylvania is seeking an inaugural Director for its University Ombuds Office for its flagship campus at University Park. Reporting to the Provost’s Chief of Staff, this full-time position will establish and lead a new Ombuds function serving faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars across a large, multi-campus system. The role reflects a hybrid “hub-and-spoke” model with both direct service and program oversight responsibilities, including developing protocols for unit ombuds and coordinating practices across campuses. 

Glenn Crispell: Inaugural Ombuds for the CIA

Glenn N. Crispell, a pioneer in the federal Ombuds sector, passed away on March 14, 2026. Crispell’s legacy was defined by his 63-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served as the agency's first-ever Ombudsman. In this role, and as the CIA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program Manager, he pioneered the use of neutral, confidential conflict resolution within one of the government’s most complex environments. A recipient of the Career Intelligence Medal and a nominee for the Trailblazer Award, Crispell was a trusted advisor to multiple Directors of Central Intelligence (and many others at the CIA, as reflected in comments to his obituary). (Money & King.) 

Job Posting: World Health Organization, Egypt

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations agency for international public health, is seeking a Regional Ombudsman based in Cairo for its Eastern Mediterranean Region. This senior (P5) role provides informal conflict resolution services for staff, including mediation, trend analysis, and advising leadership on systemic issues. Consistent with WHO’s recent reaffirmation of its Ombuds function, the position operates without decision-making authority and is expected to support organizational learning, improve workplace climate, and promote early identification of concerns. It is not clear whether the position is currently vacant. 

Podcast: Career Pivots and Holding Space

Tom A. Kosakowski, a University Ombuds and author of The Ombuds Blog, joined the Blessed Be Podcast (hosted by Robert Polanco, Dawn Sander, and Jacqueline Villafañe) to discuss career transitions and the skills that support navigating professional uncertainty. Kosakowski reflects on his own path and the broader relevance of Ombuds-informed practices beyond formal roles. 

Palacký University Olomouc Appoints First Ombuds

On February 1, 2026, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, the second oldest university in the Czech Republic, named Jaroslav Šotola as its inaugural University Ombudsman. In this new role, Sotola serves faculty from eight schools, staff, and 23,000 students, with concerns including bullying, discrimination, abuse of power, sexual harassment, and other conflicts. As the Ombuds, he provides confidential consultations and informal resolution support but does not adjudicate academic or employment matters. 

University of Iowa Names Assistant Ombudsperson

Heather J. Erwin has joined the Ombuds Office at Iowa as a half-time Assistant Ombudsperson, reporting to University Ombuds Chanelle Reese. Erwin also serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. In her Ombuds role, Erwin brings experience in conflict navigation and restorative practices. 

Job Posting: United Nations, Lebanon

The United Nations Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services is seeking a Regional Ombudsman based in Beirut. The senior-level position leads a regional branch providing confidential, informal conflict resolution services for UN personnel across multiple field locations.

Job Posting: Denver Public Schools

DPS, the large urban public school district in Colorado with more than 90,000 students across nearly 200 schools, is hiring an Associate Ombudsperson. The full-time position will report to and support the District Ombudsperson, Antoinette Hudson, CO-OP, and provide services for employees, including coaching, mediation, and facilitation. The role also contributes to training, identifies systemic concerns. 

Society for Cinema and Media Studies Names Conference Ombuds

Bathabile K. S. Mthombeni will serve as the on-site Ombuds for the Society for Cinema and Media Studies' conference on March 26-29, 2026, in Chicago. Mthombeni will serve as a resource for conference participants who have questions about the professional association's Code of Conduct. She will be available up to a year after the event. Mthombeni has been the Ombuds for Binghamton University since 2015, and has also served as conference Ombuds for Root & Shoot and the American Anthropological Association. (SCMS Ombuds.)

University of Amsterdam Formalizes Ombuds Framework

In November 2025, Universiteit van Amsterdam adopted new regulations for its Ombuds, which affirm core principles of independence, impartiality, and confidentiality. Under the framework, the Ombuds has a legal right to information, requiring cooperation from university bodies and access to relevant records, and is empowered to investigate allegations of unjust treatment and systemic social safety issues. The framework aligns with broader European higher education practices, emphasizing a more formal, high-authority Ombuds role focused on institutional accountability and administrative fairness. 

Cal Poly Pomona Quietly Shutters Ombuds Office

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, has paused operations of its Office of Conflict Resolution and Ombuds just over a year after relaunching the program. A university spokesperson said the office is closed pending review. The closure came to light after the student newspaper inquired about a door sign indicating the office was not operating. The university has not issued a campus-wide announcement explaining the decision.