Safeguarding Consultant Jobs in Southeast Asia 2026: Cowater International Opens Regional Safeguarding Roster

Overview

Cowater International is building a Safeguarding Roster of Consultants for Southeast Asia. The work sits within the Southeast Asia Gender-based Violence Prevention Platform, a regionally led, Australian-funded initiative that aims to boost investment, coordination, evidence-based practice, advocacy and capacity for preventing gender-based violence against women and girls across the region. The Platform is led by a regional Secretariat and works with Cowater International, Social Development Direct and the Equality Institute. It also offers competitive grants of AUD 20,000 to AUD 150,000 to civil society and women's rights organisations.

Roster consultants provide tailored technical assistance to Platform grantees so that they strengthen their safeguarding systems and meet DFAT safeguarding standards and the Platform's own standards.

What you will do

Consultants contribute to safeguarding reviews of grant applications, due diligence and risk assessments, and help grantees understand their responsibilities. They review policies and procedures, compare them with DFAT and Platform standards, and help organisations develop risk-proportionate Safeguarding Action Plans. They then provide ongoing advice, coaching and training, support reporting mechanisms and safe recruitment, monitor progress, document support given and escalate serious concerns to the Platform Safeguarding Specialist. A facilitative, locally led approach is expected, with organisations building their own systems rather than having documents written for them.

Requirements

Applicants need at least a bachelor's degree in a field such as social work, gender and development, international development, human rights or social sciences, and a minimum of five years of experience in safeguarding, child protection, protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, gender-based violence or related work, including support to civil society organisations or other local partners. They need strong facilitation, analytical and communication skills, discretion with sensitive information, and proficiency in English and at least one Southeast Asian language. Experience with women's rights groups, disability organisations and LGBTQIA+ groups is valued.

Who can apply

The roster is open to citizens of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam who are based in and legally authorised to work in their country. Applications from other regions are not considered, and no work visas can be issued.

How to apply

Applicants submit an updated CV and a cover letter, naming files with last name, first name, date and position title.

Key dates

The deadline is 28 August 2026 at 17:00 Bangkok/Jakarta time (GMT+7).