Manager, Safeguarding & Diversity, FIFA World Cup 2026

Delivering the overall safeguarding strategy as well as the diversity efforts for the FIFA World Cup 26, that for the first time ever, is hosting 48 teams and 1,200+ players across 3 countries and 16 venues. The Safeguarding & Diversity Manager will be responsible to act as the central point of contact and lead on all safeguarding and diversity matters in the planning and delivery phases of the Competition to ensure a safe football experience for all.

THE POSITION

The main responsibilities of the Safeguarding & Diversity Manager for the FIFA World Cup 26 include:

• Map ways in which children and vulnerable adults (volunteers, workers from the hospitality sector, etc) may be involved in or impacted by the tournament, and its associated activities, and Employ effective and efficient operational strategies to embed safeguarding best practice leading up to and during the Competition.
• Establish partnerships with key stakeholders, especially national and Host City public authorities such as the police and social services, as well as civil society organizations and agencies with expertise in safeguarding and anti-discrimination.
• Review the safeguarding risks and recommendations identified by the Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the USA in their Human Rights Plans and develop a Competition Safeguarding Plan.
• Establish Safeguarding Focal points in each of the 16 host cities for the duration of the competition, as part of a victim-centric response.
• Address and mitigate any further Monitor and address new and emerging safeguarding and discrimination risks identified in the lead up to the Competition.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Safeguarding Plan for the Competition based on the relevant Competition policies and procedures including:
• Identifying and training key stakeholders and functional areas whose role impacts on the safety of vulnerable persons (e.g. Safety and Security Officers, Team Liaison Officers, Team Safeguarding Officers, etc.)
• Developing a training and capacity building plan for all relevant stakeholders and functional areas whose work involves direct contact with vulnerable individuals
• Implement the Working with Children Checks as part of the pre-employment screening of the recruitment process for all roles involving direct contact with children
• Delivering safeguarding briefings and/or seminars to the Participating Member Association (PMA) delegations in advance of arrival
• Developing and implementing reporting and grievance mechanisms at Host City and national levels in agreement with the authorities and identified local expert agencies
• Building on existing local mechanisms for reporting and case-management, develop and implement case management and support systems for potential victims of harassment, abuse, trafficking and exploitation during the time leading up to and during the Competition, including systems that respond to other welfare concerns such as those related to lost or missing children
• Establishing a system to coordinate referrals to statutory authorities in the three Host Countries, or in the country of foreign nationals, affected during the Competition
• Provide, in close collaboration with the FIFA Safeguarding & Child Protection Department and in particular its Senior Event Safeguarding Manager, case management support during the Competition, should concerns arise about a child or vulnerable adult covered under the scope of the FIFA Code of Ethics
• Advise all relevant FIFA26 functional areas on matters related to diversity, including through the integration of respective requirements into policies and procedures in close collaboration with other members of the FWC26 Human Rights team and the FIFA Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Department.
• Support in providing information needed and in co-reviewing proposed responses to media queries related to any safeguarding and discriminatory incidents.

YOUR PROFILE

• Bachelor degree or similar level of higher education in Sociology, Psychology, Law or similar field.
• At least 5 years of previous safeguarding experience in a specialized NGO or statutory agency with responsibilities for the protection and welfare of children or/and vulnerable adults;
• Practical and proven experience in policy development, training and delivery of a safeguarding programme in sport;
• Proven experience providing advice, support and supervision skills to others on safeguarding in sport;
• Skills on communicating potentially distressing issues in a sensitive manner;
• Proven experience in working in multi-cultural environments;
• Knowledge on how to recognize behaviors that are harmful to children and vulnerable adults and understanding the thresholds of poor practice and abusive behavior;
• Demonstrable experience in working professionally, and consistently in an area where emotionally distressing and sensitive issues and cases may arise;
• Knowledge about the Host Countries’ legal and socio-cultural context, government guidelines and national frameworks on safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults/adults at risk, as well as matters related to diversity and inclusion;
• Clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of statutory authorities/agencies in one or several of the Host Countries;
• Clear understanding of confidentially and privacy parameters and protocols as standards procedures for case handling;
• Practical and proven experience in survivor-centred approaches to case-management and managing referrals to relevant authorities/agencies in the one or several of the Host Countries as well as in the countries of potential victims;
• Good understanding of topics related to diversity and inclusion of relevance to the organisation of a mega sporting event in one or several of the three host countries.
• Experience delivering safeguarding programme in connection with a mega sporting event (MSE);
• Experience in implementing diversity and inclusion policies in an organisation.
• Fluent in English. Spanish and/or French proficiency is a plus
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project) and planning software and online collaboration tools

About FWC2026

The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament features 48 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.