Vacancies and How to Get a Job at Save the Children (Salary, Roles & Application Guide)
Save the Children is recruiting for 2 positions in Sierra Leone, offering opportunities in project implementation and human resources. The vacancies are based in Pujehun and Freetown, making them relevant to professionals looking for Save the Children jobs in Sierra Leone 2026.
The roles are particularly attractive for candidates with experience in community development, climate resilience, livelihoods, HR and NGO operations. One of the positions supports a major $27 million, five-year Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project funded by the Green Climate Fund.
About Save the Children
Save the Children is an international humanitarian organisation working to improve the lives and protect the rights of children and vulnerable communities.
These vacancies show the organisation's need for both programme specialists working directly with communities and professionals supporting internal operations. Candidates applying through Save the Children recruitment should expect strong emphasis on safeguarding, accountability, teamwork and compliance with organisational policies.
Available Positions
- GCF Project Officer – Pujehun
- Human Resources and Administration Coordinator – Freetown
1. GCF Project Officer
Location: Pujehun, Sierra Leone
Contract: 1 year
Grade: 4
Reports to: Project Manager
What You’ll Do (Simplified)
This role involves helping Save the Children deliver the Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project at community level.
The project focuses on helping coastal communities cope with climate change, protect livelihoods and strengthen their ability to respond to climate-related risks.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting community assessments and gathering information to guide project activities
- Helping identify and select beneficiaries fairly
- Working with community groups and local partners
- Training communities on climate risks and adaptation
- Supporting mangrove conservation and restoration activities
- Distributing livelihood materials to beneficiaries
- Supporting climate education activities in schools
- Establishing and training Village Savings and Loan Association groups
- Helping women and young people develop financial and business skills
- Supporting farmers, fishers and other livelihood groups
- Assisting with climate-change awareness activities
- Helping communities develop environmental protection measures
- Collecting project data and preparing reports
- Working with the MEAL team on monitoring and accountability
- Supporting donor visits, project reviews and learning activities
This is a hands-on field position. The successful candidate will frequently travel to riverine communities and may need to stay overnight in project locations.
Who This Role Is Best For
This position is best suited to an experienced community-development or development-sector professional.
The minimum academic requirement is a BSc, HND or Diploma in areas such as:
- Development Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Agriculture
- Environmental studies
Applicants should also have at least two years of experience in food security, livelihoods, agricultural extension or rural development.
Experience with conservation, education, community-based climate adaptation or other multi-sector programmes would strengthen an application.
You should also be comfortable with:
- Community mobilisation
- Training and facilitation
- Report writing
- Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Activity budgeting
- Working with government and NGOs
- Rural and riverine communities
A valid motorbike licence is required, although candidates who are willing to learn may also be considered.
Estimated Salary Range
Negotiable based on experience.
The vacancy information supplied does not state a salary figure.
How to Apply
The supplied vacancy does not provide an application email or direct application link. Candidates should therefore use the official Save the Children recruitment channel for the position.
Before submitting your application, make sure your CV clearly demonstrates your community-development and livelihoods experience.
How to Increase Your Chances
Don't make your CV sound like a general NGO application.
Highlight specific experience involving:
- Rural communities
- Agriculture or food security
- Livelihood programmes
- Savings groups
- Climate adaptation
- Community training
- Beneficiary selection
- Data collection and reporting
If you have worked with government agencies, NGOs or community-based organisations, make this prominent.
Also demonstrate that you are genuinely comfortable working outside major cities. The role requires willingness to be based in project communities and travel to riverine areas.
2. Human Resources and Administration Coordinator
Location: Freetown
Contract: 12 months, with possibility of extension
Grade: 3
Reports to: Senior HR/Administration Manager
What You’ll Do (Simplified)
This position supports the organisation's HR and administrative operations across Sierra Leone.
The successful candidate will help managers recruit staff, manage employee processes and ensure HR policies are properly implemented.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting recruitment and selection
- Reviewing job descriptions
- Helping with staffing and salary-review processes
- Maintaining recruitment records
- Supporting safer recruitment procedures
- Coordinating employee induction
- Preparing employment contracts
- Supporting staff exits and clearance
- Tracking performance reviews
- Supporting employee training and development
- Handling HR-related case management and investigations
- Supporting disciplinary and grievance processes
- Maintaining employee records
- Supporting payroll information and absence reconciliation
- Managing HR information systems and personnel data
- Supporting staff medical-scheme administration
- Visiting field offices to provide HR support
- Maintaining confidentiality of employee information
- Supporting administrative functions such as guest houses and staff travel
Approximately 30% of the role involves field travel, so this is not exclusively a desk-based Freetown position.
Who This Role Is Best For
This is an experienced junior-to-mid-level HR opportunity.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field, together with at least two years of HR or related experience.
The ideal candidate should understand:
- Employee relations
- Recruitment
- Performance management
- Sierra Leone employment law
- HR policies and procedures
- HR information systems
- Confidential employee-data management
Strong communication, organisation, attention to detail and the ability to manage several priorities are also important.
Estimated Salary Range
Negotiable based on experience.
The supplied vacancy does not state a salary figure.
How to Apply
The job information provided does not include a specific application email or direct vacancy link. Applicants should apply through the official Save the Children recruitment platform associated with the vacancy.
How to Increase Your Chances
Your CV should show more than administrative experience.
Focus on measurable HR responsibilities such as:
- Number of employees supported
- Recruitment campaigns handled
- HR systems used
- Employee onboarding
- Performance-review coordination
- Payroll or attendance administration
- Employee-relations cases
- Training coordination
- HR policy implementation
Knowledge of Sierra Leone labour and employment laws should also be clearly stated if you have it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When applying for these Save the Children jobs in Sierra Leone 2026, avoid these mistakes:
- Using the same CV for both positions: The Project Officer and HR Coordinator require very different skills.
- Ignoring field requirements: The Project Officer role involves travel and work in rural and riverine communities.
- Listing duties without achievements: Show what you actually accomplished in previous roles.
- Failing to demonstrate NGO experience: Where applicable, highlight work with NGOs, government agencies and community organisations.
- Submitting a generic application: Connect your experience directly to the requirements of the vacancy.
- Ignoring safeguarding: Save the Children places significant emphasis on child safeguarding, safe programming and organisational conduct.
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