HR Specialist Navigation and Support

Under the direct supervision of the Director of People and Culture Group (PCG) and dotted line reporting to the Director of the Ethics Office, the Specialist, Navigation and Support is responsible for strengthening and coordinating UNOPS’ victim-centered approach, coordinating with different entities (such as the Workplace Conduct unit in PCG, Internal Audit & Investigations Group, Ethics Office and Legal Group) and accompanying victims, by consent, through to a resolution process. 

In addition to providing direct support to personnel, the Specialist plays a much broader role in UNOPS’ overall efforts to tackle misconduct, carrying out a wide range of activities to ensure that a victim/survivor centered approach is mainstreamed in the response to sexual and other types of misconduct and adequately reflected in guidance, awareness raising and learning activities.

The role will be the central point for providing guidance and “navigation” on the speak-up and whistleblowing processes and systems at UNOPS.  The role is responsible for offering impartial and comprehensive information to individuals seeking to raise concerns, ensuring they are aware of the relevant processes, policy frameworks and support available. The role will seek to enhance understanding and available options in the system and provide an overview of the relevant functions within UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities:

Navigation and Resource Coordination:

• Serve as a point of contact prior to formal reporting of misconduct or crisis by reporters/victims/survivors, including fraud and retaliation.
• Provide a confidential enabling environment that is safe for UNOPS personnel who have observed potential misconduct to participate in internal justice processes (including fraud and retaliation).
• Serve as a support focal point  to referred reporters/victims/survivors of alleged misconduct or crisis, including fraud and retaliation.
• Offer one-to-one guidance to reporters/victims/survivors on all available speak-up and whistle-blowing processes (including fraud and retaliation).
• Assist clients in understanding and accessing available services within UNOPS including mental health support, etc.
• Develop individualized safety plans and resource navigation plans tailored to clients’ needs.
• Provide advice on topics related to maintaining and continuously improving UNOPS’ speak-up and whistle-blowing frameworks, including fraud and retaliation.

Facilitation of Case Management:

• Create an enabling environment that minimizes the potential for re-traumatization during reporting and investigation processes.
• Provide de-escalation support
• Provide information and direction on resources/avenues available for early conflict resolution.
• Continue monitoring reporters/victims/survivors and action any requests made as part of needs assessments and reviews.
• Support other referred individuals (i.e.reporters/victims/survivors of domestic violence) with information and referrals to the correct service providers (e.g. medical, psychosocial, etc).
• Perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
• Uphold and maintain confidentiality and ethical standards in all interactions with victims.
• Establish and maintain a confidential and/or anonymous reference group of victims who consent to provide input into various initiatives that UNOPS is developing to gather the perspectives and recommendations of victims.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Provide quarterly and ad hoc internal and external reporting through effective application of knowledge of the UN and Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) systems.
• Maintain a Navigation and Support database. Ensure the data is up-to-date and can be extracted to report on trends related to geographic spread of support provided, types of support referred, and other relevant data points as may be specified.
• Assist in monitoring any changes in policy/guidance to ensure that UNOPS internal policy and practices are in line with UN and other international standards.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of victim support programs. Collect data on the impact of the programs and use this information to improve their effectiveness.

Capacity Building: 

• Participate in the development of operational procedures and policies related to victim-centered approaches, as assigned by the PCG Director and in coordination with other units such as the PSEAH, Ethics Office, IAIG and Workplace Conduct Teams.
• Develop and deliver training on the victim/survivor centered on other approaches.
• Develop guidance and provide advice and support for supervisors, HR practitioners, and and other key personnel on how to safely and ethically react and respond to incidents of sexual exploitation, abuse and  harassment, ensuring confidentiality and informed consent.
• Carry out functions in accordance with a Victim Centered Approach (VCA) within UNOPS, including  guiding, advising and reporting on the implementation and operationalization of the VCA, as well as contributing to policies linked to preventing and responding to sexual harassment within UNOPS.
• Advocate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders (UN agency working groups, UN Victim Rights Advocate, the IASC, etc) ) on behavior change and support strategies and communication and outreach materials to promote survivor centered approaches in internal justice mechanisms. Participate in inter-agency coordination on Victim Support.
• Develop knowledge materials and communications products.
• Building capacity of partners: The Specialist – Navigation and Support will provide training and technical support to local organizations working with victims.

Education Experience Language requirements:

Education:

• Advanced University (Master’s) Degree in related fields such as Law, Social Justice, Human Rights, Behavioral Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences, or related field  is required. OR
• First University (Bachelor’s) Degree in  Law, Social Justice, Human Rights, Behavioral Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences and/or other related fields in combination with additional two (2) years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in protection/safeguarding, OR social work, OR gender-based violence, OR prevention and response to workplace misconduct and/or a combination of the above within international development and/or humanitarian aid is required
• Working experience within the global south and exposure to hardship/conflict locations is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in individualized case management and interdisciplinary coordination and, as well as providing support to survivors of abuse is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in working in diversity and inclusion and an understanding of how different identities can affect a person’s experience of misconduct is required.
• Previous experience with the UN and/or an NGO is desirable.
• Experience in developing and facilitating trainings, in particular capacity-building, and promoting behavior change through communication is desirable.
• Experience in report writing and knowledge management is an asset.
• Experience in interpretation of organizational legal framework is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or any other UN language is desirable.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29724#3