The incumbent shall conduct Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) related assignments in accordance with the UNICEF Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH). The Programme Specialist (PSEA) work is crucial to strengthening BCO’s efforts to ensure UNICEF’s PSEA Vision is achieved – and this is “realizing the right of individuals and communities that UNICEF and its partners serve to access the protection and assistance they need without fear of sexual exploitation and abuse; the right of UNICEF staff members and related personnel to feel supported, respected and empowered to deliver assistance in an environment free from sexual harassment; and the right of survivors of SEA and SH to access timely and confidential investigation and effective and safe assistance and support”.
Major duties and responsibilities:
Lead the strengthening of Response Systems:
Ensure adherence to global prescribed procedures for PSEA cooperation and reporting of SEA incidents and promote understanding among UNICEF Staff and all stakeholders such as humanitarian agency and IP/contractor staff of the applicable internal PSEA policies and reporting procedures.
Following the Global prescribed guidelines, provide technical leadership to BCO Senior Management, and quality assurance to country offices for receiving, handling, and referring SEA allegations committed by humanitarian staff, IPs and personnel of other entities (such as sub-contractors), including when the institutional affiliation of the alleged perpetrator(s) is unknown or uncertain and not excluding SEA by UNICEF staff.
Lead initiatives for country offices to build capacity of partners for investigations and support senior management in the fact finding and documentation of reported SEA allegations and taking appropriate measures to ensure safety and confidentiality of complaints / allegations. This entails ensuring that all materials pertaining to complaints are handled strictly in line with prescribed SOPs and referring the complaints / allegations for the attention of Senior Management for immediate action.
Develop and provide technical support to country offices for implementation of survivor assistance, including establishment of SOPs on prevention and response to ensure survivors have access to appropriate services i.e., medical, psychosocial, legal and material support, in accordance with the UN Victim Assistance protocol.
Lead development and implementation of a regional strategy for building capacity of all UNICEF staff and implementing Partners staff on PSEA and Abuse of Authority including conducting training as necessary.
Operationalization of the UNICEF Procedure for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Assessments of CSO Implementing Partnerships:
Support the PSEA Specialist and HACT Specialist to monitor quality standards of PSEA Assessments of IPs and conducted by other Agencies and provide technical support to the development of IP Action Plans as needed.
Strengthen capacity for country offices to conduct partner assessments, including transitioning to the UN common system for assessments, strengthen field monitoring and partner capacity for both CSOs and government, building CO capacity through PSEA Toolkit and Action Plan.
Lead PSEA mainstreaming during planning, policy development and programming:
Lead establishment of inter-agency community-based complaint mechanisms, solicit participation from a broad range of humanitarian assistance agencies, including liaising with the IASC and to ensure standard for beneficiary engagement are promoted.
Co-ordinate with Sector Leads, Section Chiefs and other groups in the office (Cox Bazar and Dhaka) to ensure synergy, collaboration and complementary efforts. This will include co-facilitating PSEA training modules for UNICEF and IPs staff as appropriate on appropriate conduct for aid workers, international standards on PSEA, roles & responsibilities, and how to submit and receive complaints and strengthening GBV services for survivor assistance.
Support the PSEA Focal Points (FPs) by organizing regular meetings, provide training, enhancing communication and information sharing among FPs.
Engagement with and support of affected populations:
Lead development of a creative communication strategy together with the SBC team and others to facilitate awareness-raising in communities on their rights, the fact that humanitarian assistance is never conditioned on sexual favours, and how to submit complaints.
Provide technical leadership to strengthen community consultation mechanisms, identify culturally and contextually appropriate entry points for submitting complaints, including SEA allegations, and coordinate with other Agencies to develop innovative reporting mechanisms.
Provide technical leadership to incorporate community feedback into programme adjustment to ensure that the mechanisms remain appropriate to community needs.
For detailed job responsibilities, please see the attached TOR: Download File Temporary Appointment ToR Template_PSEA Manager NOD TA CXB[36][85].pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education: Advanced University Degree in social work, social sciences, political science, law, human rights law or another relevant field. Or Bachelor University Degree in social work, social sciences, political science, law, human rights law or another relevant field combined with minimum 10 years of work experience.
Work Experience: Minimum 8 years of work experience from a humanitarian setting with relevant professional experience in the field of sexual exploitation and abuse, protection, gender-based violence, staff misconduct and discipline, gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs.
Knowledge of current developments and activities in the inter-agency setting of the UN System and its partner organizations on PSEA.
Experience working on PSEA at country level
Experience of working in developing countries and international development is highly desirable.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is considered as an asset.
