Safeguarding Consultant Internship 2026 in Southeast Asia

Cowater International invites experienced safeguarding professionals to join its Safeguarding Roster of Consultants for Southeast Asia. This consultancy supports the Southeast Asia Gender-based Violence Prevention Platform, a regionally led initiative funded by the Australian government to strengthen primary prevention of violence against women and girls across the region. The roster offers opportunities to provide technical assistance to civil society organisations and women’s rights organisations.

What the Role Involves

Selected consultants will work closely with Platform grantees throughout the grant lifecycle. Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing safeguarding risks in grant applications and supporting due diligence processes
• Developing risk-proportionate Safeguarding Action Plans tailored to each organisation’s existing systems
• Providing ongoing technical accompaniment including policy reviews, training, coaching, and mentoring
• Monitoring progress against action plans and identifying emerging safeguarding concerns
• Ensuring compliance with DFAT and Platform safeguarding standards

The consultancy emphasises a locally led, facilitative approach rather than imposing external models. Consultants help organisations build sustainable safeguarding systems based on their existing strengths and contexts.

Who Should Apply

The opportunity targets citizens of eligible Southeast Asian countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. Candidates must be based in and legally authorised to work in their country.

Ideal applicants possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, gender and development, international development, or a relevant field
• Proven experience strengthening safeguarding systems within civil society or women’s rights organisations
• Proficiency in English and at least one Southeast Asian language

The organisation strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and historically marginalised communities.

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply Online

Why This Matters

Safeguarding goes beyond having policies on paper. Effective systems require risk identification, reporting mechanisms, and response protocols that work in practice. This consultancy offers professionals a chance to build capacity where it matters most with organisations on the frontlines of GBV prevention. The deadline for applications is 28 August 2026. Submit your CV and cover letter through the official application channel.

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