Safe from Harm Department

Operation Area:

Job title: Head of Safe from Harm Department

Nature of engagement: Volunteer contract

Duration: From August 2025 until the end of the project in December 2027

Department description: The role of the Safe from Harm (SfH) Department is to create an environment before and during the Jamboree that is safe, welcoming and respectful to all, prevents discrimination, and maximizes opportunities to participate safely and equally in the Jamboree experience for all attendees (both youth participants and adults).

The Department is composed of 4 units:

• Access and Inclusion – responsible for developing Jamboree’s access and inclusion policies; advise on providing the best achievable access to programme, transport, sites, facilities and services for people with visible and invisible physical disabilities and people who are neurodiverse; advise on accessible communication; during the Jamboree – support people with disabilities and others who might otherwise be excluded to have the best possible Jamboree experience.
• Listening Ears – responsible for developing and delivering the Listening Ear service for the Jamboree, organizing the Listening Ear stations and the overall training, management and support for the Listening Ear IST.
• Learning and Knowledge – responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive learning experiences and trainings for both adults and youth participants that cover topics such as recognizing and reacting to signs of harm and abuse, understanding boundaries, cultural sensitivity and awareness, equality and inclusion, and safety before and at the Jamboree.
• Operations – responsible for preparing the SfH processes and framework of the event, including Standard Operating Procedures to react to any SfH incidents, including collecting evidence, identifying and interviewing people involved, defining a response process, supporting victims, and liaising on SfH with Contingents and other Jamboree departments, as well as external stakeholders such as the police and social services. Record keeping and reporting are also part of the unit’s responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• collaborate with the Jamboree Management Team and other Head of Departments;
• collaborate with a WOSM representative in the Jamboree Planning Team (JPT) co-leading and supporting SfH preparations and delivery of operations;
• manage the SfH Team by (i) planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating on-going work; (ii) providing support for the Team members in delivering their tasks in a timely and qualitative manner; and (iii) facilitating on-line and in-person meetings;
• ensure that the mission entrusted to the SfH team — namely, ensuring the safety and well-being of all Jamboree attendees — remains the highest priority;
• manage allocated resources, including budget, tools, and facilities, to support the SfH initiatives;
• collaborate with child protection agencies, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders to gather insights and recommendations;
• conduct assessments to identify potential risks or areas of concern related to participant safety and wellbeing;
• report to the Jamboree Management Team on the preparation progress – completed tasks and encountered challenges;
• collaborate with Heads of Contingents in delivering a safe Jamboree;
• support the capacity building and training of the team through the process to ensure all members have the knowledge and skills needed to support the event;
• organise and provide internal SfH and LE support for the JPT.

Commitments:

• plan, organise and attend Department monthly on-line meetings;
• plan, organise and attend Department in-person meetings (one per year);
• attend JPT meetings (about two in-person meetings per year, and several on-line meetings), attend other individual and collective on-line meeting with SfH Team members and other JPT members;
• follow up promptly to communication by email and Slack;
• monitor SfH related procedures (SfH training requirements, reported SfH cases) during operation of JPT and collaborate with other departments on resolution of potential cases;
• be able to dedicate an average of 3-4 hours per week to this role (though this will not be evenly spread);
• arrive at the Jamboree site a couple of days before the event and stay one or two days after Contingents leave to ensure the arrival and departure process (the Jamboree will take place between the 30th of July and the 8th of August 2027).

All candidates are kindly requested to save the date on 26th – 28th September 2025 for an in-person Safe from Harm Department Meeting in Gdansk, Poland.

Knowledge and skills:

• Leadership Experience: Proven ability in leading teams, preferably in a Scouting or event management context.
• Event Management Skills: Experience in organizing large-scale events, including planning, execution, and post-event analysis.
• Community Building: Demonstrated ability in organizing activities and events that promote interaction and a sense of belonging.
• Operational Management: Experience in managing operations, including resource allocation, maintenance, and coordination.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle complex logistical challenges.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working with a diverse team and managing external relationships.
• Scouting Knowledge: Familiarity with scouting principles and experience in scout events is highly desirable.
• Child protection and safeguarding skills: Understanding of the Safe from Harm framework.

Background Experience:

• Solid background experience in SfH operations in the national context and/or previous scout events/initiatives.
• Desired: Has implemented child protection and safeguarding policies in diverse context.
• World Scout Events Experience: Have attended at least once a World Scout Event (World Scout Jamboree or MOOT) as an adult (CMT member, IST, Adult Patrol Leader or JPT member).

Formal requirements:

We welcome applicants from both within Poland and abroad, each with their respective requirements:

Applicants from Poland should meet the following requirements:

• active membership in the Polish Scouting & Guiding Association (ZHP)
• completed leader’s service in the previous year and an opinion of the relevant Regional Commissioner or Chief Commissioner (Komendant Hufca / Komendant Chorągwi / Naczelnik ZHP)
• positive experience of projects at least at regional level (domestic)
• ability to communicate freely in spoken and written English

Applicants from abroad should meet the following requirements:

• active membership in one of the organisations belonging to the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)
• a favourable opinion from the International Commissioner
• positive experience of projects at international level
• ability to communicate freely in spoken and written English

Why get involved 

As a member of the Jamboree Planning Team (JPT), you’ll be vital to creating this exceptional scout event. We’re dedicated to supporting you fully, providing:

• Comprehensive support from the People Department for personal and professional growth, including access to JPT Academy sessions and workshops
• a volunteer agreement outlining your contributions and responsibilities
• arrangements for in-person meetings in Poland, covering transportation, accommodation, and visa costs
• a jamboree-specific email address and access to tools like Microsoft 365 and Slack for effective communication
• a Planning Team kit including scarf, T-shirt, and other jamboree-related merch
• a volunteer certificate at the end of your volunteer journey, acknowledging your contribution and dedication

The application should be submitted through the platform no later than 23:59 CEST (UTC+2:00) on 10/08/2025 and should include:

• A Curriculum Vitae that includes both your professional and scouting experience. The CV should be in English and indicate the candidate’s e-mail and mobile contact details. We recommend using the Europass standard format (https://europa.eu/europass/en).
• A cover letter of no more than 4 paragraphs describing your experience, skills, and the rationale for your application (in English).
• An endorsement letter from your International Commissioner that includes their favorable opinion on your profile and application for this role. Candidates from Poland should request endorsement from the Regional Commissioner or Chief Commissioner (Pełnomocnik ds. Zagranicznych oraz Komendant Hufca / Komendant Chorągwi / Naczelnik ZHP).

All candidates who sent in their application correctly and on time will be contacted after the application deadline. A decision on the composition of the team is expected no later than 31/08/2025.

Click the button below to access the recruitment platform and submit your application. If you have any questions regarding the recruitment, please don’t hesitate to contact at [email protected].

After clicking the 'Submit your application' button, you will be taken to the Jamboree Planning Team recruitment platform at engage.wsj2027.org. Scouting is an inclusive, values-based Movement under the Scout Promise and Law. Applying for positions in the Jamboree Planning Team is open to all young people and adults who accept our fundamental values. The Jamboree Organisation stands against discrimination of any kind, including race, colour, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, social background, or political beliefs - so long as they are consistent with Scouting values. Respecting and valuing the diversity of all volunteers and employees involved in organising the World Scout Jamboree ensures that we maximise the potential of all young people and adults by creating better, fairer, safer working environments. Your personal data will be treated with utmost confidentiality in compliance with GDPR regulations, and will be used solely for this recruitment process. We store your information securely and will not share it with third parties without your prior consent. By submitting your application, you agree to the processing of your data in accordance with these terms.

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Pictures: © World Scout Bureau, Inc.; Getty Images; Pexels GmbH; ZHP/Zuzanna Gałczyńska, Karolina Pośnik, Matylda Hojnor, Karolina Piotrowska, Patryk Sikora, Weronika Małachowska, Agnieszka Madetko-Kurczab, Piotr Rodzoch, Karolina Pośnik, Arkadiusz Wydro, Sebastian Strachowski, Kamil Jasiński, Konrad Kmieć.