Reporting in to the Director of Organisational Effectiveness, the Head of Health, Safety, Security and Safeguarding will inspire, design and drive Christian Aid’s Global Safe strategy, in respect of safety, security, and safeguarding, ensuring that staff in the UK, overseas
offices, and partner organisations operate in a safe, secure, and well-supported environment.

The postholder will be the custodian of a safe culture, ensuring that it aligns with the global culture programme and overall people strategy, and will be the organisation’s safeguarding and security ambassador and expert, acting both internally and externally as a thought leader, challenging appropriately and bringing external expertise to Christian Aid.

Some of the main areas of responsibility for the Head of Health, Safety, Security and Safeguarding include:

• Monitor and assess security risks in operational locations, providing guidance on crisis response and emergency planning.
• Model a culture of continuous learning through training staff and partners on security awareness, travel safety, and incident response protocols.
• Champion and oversee incident reporting and response mechanisms, ensuring timely and effective action in case of security threats.
• Lead and embed a safeguarding culture across Christian Aid and its partners, ensuring compliance with global safeguarding standards.
• Foster continuous improvement through the development of safeguarding policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms to protect staff, communities, and program participants.
• Model accountability through leading investigations and responses to safeguarding concerns, ensuring appropriate action is taken while maintaining confidentiality and victim-centred approaches.
• Foster a mindset of connection in relation empowering others to undertake self-assessments for all partnerships and ensure adequate assurance is in place.
• Maximise impact Develop through the development of crisis management plans for security incidents, safeguarding concerns, and emergency situations.
• Provide expert advice to leadership and country teams on risk management and response strategies.
• Foster continuous improvement with legal, HR, and program teams to ensure safety and safeguarding policies align with regulatory and donor requirements.
• Facilitate opportunities with external security, safeguarding, and humanitarian networks to strengthen best practices.
• Represent Christian Aid in sector-wide discussions on safety, security, and safeguarding policies.

About you

Who we are looking for

Essential:

• Significant experience in safety, security, and safeguarding roles, preferably in international NGOs, humanitarian organisation, or development agencies.
• Significant exposure to working in high-risk, conflict, or disaster-affected environments, managing safety and security for field teams.
• Advanced knowledge of global safeguarding frameworks, including protection of vulnerable groups, PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), and child safeguarding and how they apply in humanitarian contexts.
• Extensive experience in crisis response, risk assessment, and emergency planning for international staff and partners.
• Leadership experience in developing and delivering training on security awareness, safeguarding, and risk management.
• Proven ability to develop and implement security and safeguarding policies across multiple locations.
• Advanced understanding of global security protocols, crisis management, risk assessment, and incident response, particularly in volatile or conflict zones.
• Expertise in managing security risks, conducting security assessments, and developing crisis management plans.
• Awareness of international legal frameworks, including those related to human rights, security, and safeguarding in field operations.
• Knowledge of staff wellbeing strategies, trauma response, and resilience-building in high-risk or stressful environments.

Permanent. Full Time. Hybrid Working (2 days per week in the office)

Location – London

Salary – £73,615 per year