Head of Safeguarding - SAIS

Cognita Schools; Singapore; On-site; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An international school in Singapore seeks a Head of Safeguarding to provide leadership in child protection. The role emphasizes building a proactive safeguarding culture and requires at least 5 years in a senior safeguarding role. Candidates should possess exceptional interpersonal skills and experience with complex safeguarding cases. A degree in social work or related field is mandatory, along with advanced safeguarding training. Commitment to children's welfare and diversity is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior safeguarding or child protection leadership role.
• Proven experience in managing complex safeguarding cases.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all safeguarding functions.
• Ensure that safeguarding systems meet international standards.
• Foster a positive safeguarding culture across the school.

Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

Strong analytical and reporting skills

Ability to influence and build trust

Experience managing complex safeguarding cases

Ability to work sensitively across diverse cultural contexts

Education

Degree qualification in social work, child welfare, or counselling

Advanced training or certification in child protection/safeguarding leadership

Job description

As a leading international school in Singapore, Stamford American International School (Stamford American) caters to students aged 2 months to 18 years old. With students from 79 countries and over 3000 students across two state‑of‑the‑art campuses, we offer a dynamic educational journey emphasizing student well‑being and academic excellence.

Stamford American is proud to be an IB World School, offering the full continuum of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma Programme (DP). The school’s outstanding faculty, comprising more than 350 experienced and highly qualified teachers from over 40 nationalities, is recruited through a competitive process. Educators are highly skilled in their content areas and pedagogy, and excel at building strong relationships, creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and valued.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for a Head of Safeguarding to join our Safeguarding team.

About the Role

The Head of Safeguarding provides strategic leadership and oversight of all safeguarding and child protection functions across Stamford American International School. The role is responsible for ensuring that safeguarding systems, policies, and practices meet the highest international standards and comply with Cognita’s safeguarding framework and local Singapore regulations.

The Head of Safeguarding will be a visible and influential leader who fosters a proactive, confident, and positive safeguarding culture across the whole school. They will ensure that safeguarding is embedded into all aspects of school life, providing professional leadership to the Safeguarding Team, oversight of case management, and expert consultation.

This role requires a highly experienced safeguarding professional who can balance operational decision‑making with strategic development, ensuring that students’ safety and well‑being are at the heart of every policy, process, and partnership.

Position Requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior safeguarding or child protection leadership role, ideally within an international or multi‑school setting.
• Proven experience in managing complex safeguarding cases and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence, advise, and build trust at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, develop strategy, and embed safeguarding culture.
• Comprehensive understanding of child protection frameworks, including managing allegations against adults and risk management.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with the ability to interpret safeguarding data and present findings to leadership and governance bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to work sensitively across diverse cultural contexts.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in social work, child welfare, or counselling; and/or significant experience within a Safeguarding role.
• 5 years’ experience working in a safeguarding role in a school or with a school. International School experience is preferred.
• Advanced training or certification in child protection/safeguarding leadership.

With a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, all potential employees undergo mandatory pre‑employment background checks, and appointments are contingent upon satisfactory completion of all reference and background checks, as required by our parent organization, Cognita.

The school is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued. There is no discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, sexual orientation, family status, pregnancy, marital status, medical or mental health history, physical characteristics, or disability. All applications from qualified candidates are welcome.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process.