Policy and Safeguarding Manager

Location: London, UK

Reports to: Head of Global Operations

Contract: Full-time, FTC  12 months

About Fondation CHANEL: 

Created in 2011, Fondation CHANEL (the “Fondation”) is a corporate foundation aiming for women and adolescent girls to be free to shape their own destiny. It works in partnership with nonprofit organisations, international organisations, alliances, academic and research institutions, social businesses and other charitable funds and foundations to address the overlapping discriminations against women and young girls and advance gender equality.  

The Fondation is guided by a set of core values which lie at the heart of the way in which it carries out its work, both internally and externally with its grantee partners: trust, humility, attentiveness to power and privilege, holistic thinking, collaboration, learning, and supporting sustainable change.  

Fondation CHANEL is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to building a collaborative work environment where everyone can perform at their best and feel fulfilled and confident in their work. 

The purpose of the Operations team is ensuring robust systems, policies and practice are in place to build a strong and sustainable operational platform to enable the growth in the organisation and delivery of impact at scale. The teams work across teams, regions, and functions to ensure.

The Role:

To lead the development, implementation and integration of policies and procedures that actively contribute to building an inclusive, safe and supportive organizational culture.  In 2025 the role will place specific emphasis on strengthening a culture of duty of care, including Safeguarding, travel, expenses and security, diversity, and inclusion. The postholder will be critical in supporting the establishment of culture of safeguarding, develop guidance, training, and hands on support to regional and functional teams. This postholder will serve as a key driver in establishing and embedding organizational values of safeguarding and inclusion while supporting the development of guidance, training, and practical tools for regional and functional teams. Additionally, this role will assess cross-cutting policy needs as per the agreed policy roadmap, support with relevant financial policies, knowledge management ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and values.

Specifically, this role will:

• Develop and harmonize a repository of people-focused policies, ensuring consistency while allowing for contextual adaptation to local and regional needs.
• Ensure strategic and collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to align with wider policy frameworks.
• Work collaboratively to develop and implement tailored policy implementation/ action plans, ensuring alignment with the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholder groups.  
• Foster a continuous improvement culture by designing systems for the ongoing review and enhancement of internal policies
• Work with different stakeholders to ensure necessary buy in and actions are in place to enable the effective implementation of the new and existing policies and ensure that organizational values of safeguarding and inclusion are reflected in actions and behaviours.
• Embed best practice in safeguarding and diversity throughout all policies, systems, and operational practices ensuring the dignity, safety, and well-being of those affected is prioritized.
• Lead initiatives to mainstream safeguarding principles across all levels of the organization ensuring they are deeply rooted in program delivery and support functions.
• Provides expert guidance and support to internal investigators, Global HR, Safety & Security, impacted staff and managers, and senior leadership
• Stays up to date on IASC’s 6 Core Principles and international best practices related to safeguarding, PSEAH (Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), and GBV (Gender Based Violence)
• Oversees and leads internal investigations into alleged breaches of safeguarding policies and procedures, drawing on expert knowledge to ensure thorough, fair, and effective outcomes. Where appropriate, manages the engagement and oversight of external consultants or specialists to support specific investigations.
• Identifies trends and lessons learned from investigations to inform improvements in policies, procedures, and strategies.

Skills and Experience:

Proven ability and experience in developing and implementing internal policies that foster a culture of safety, inclusion, and accountability.

Expertise in applying change management strategies to build organisational buy in and embed lasting cultural and procedural shifts.  Work to build a culture that aligns to and support the work of the team and wider Foundation strategy.

Demonstrated knowledge and interest in Safeguarding, and a sensitivity to cultural diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender issues.

Significant experience in safeguarding or related discipline in an international development, social justice or philanthropic setting

Experience in conducting and managing investigations into safeguarding breaches, demonstrating a strong understanding of investigative procedures, confidentiality, and ensuring fair, thorough, and timely outcomes.

Experience in reviewing and assessing security measures, with the ability to implement effective protocols to ensure the safety and well-being.

Demonstrates forward-thinking and openness to new developments in diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding, proactively seeking innovative solutions to address emerging challenges and improve organizational practices.

Proven experience in capacity building and delivering training to diverse audiences including senior leaders, governing boards, staff and partners; ethics, safeguarding and accountability.

Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft office virtual training platforms, training creation software such as Canva, and the use of tools for simultaneous translation and technological solutions for inclusion.