Programme Specialist (PSEA), P3, Temporary Appointment (364 days), Kabul, Afghanistan, #127696 (Open to Non-Afghan Nationals Only)

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For every child, Hope!

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How can you make a difference?

The Programme Specialist (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)) will be based in Kabul and provide technical and strategic support to entire UNICEF Afghanistan across the country under supervision of International Programme Specialist (PSEA) P4.

Within the context the emergency response and the HCT PSEA framework, ACO has identified the following significant needs related to robust protection against sexual exploitation and abuse:

1. Further accelerate the PSEA implementation across the country;
2. Strengthening capacity in PSEA of UNICEF staff, partners and frontline workers;
3. institutionalizing PSEA mechanisms more solidly across sectors and within the organization;
4. Strengthen the internal and external reporting mechanism to assure confidential and accessible channel for staff and beneficiaries;
5. Strengthen the accountability to be able to respond to the SEA through prompt and appropriate survivor assistance as well as verification/investigative process.

To fulfill this commitment, the Programme Specialist (PSEA) P3 will support the International Programme Specialist (PSEA) P4 to implement UNICEF Afghanistan Office’s Action Plan on PSEA which focuses on enhancing UNICEF staff and partners’ capacity to prevent and respond to SEA; supporting the country office in managing and respond to the case of SEA; and coordinating with different sectors/sections and PSEA Focal Points of related organizations;  supporting partners to implement internal complaints and investigation procedures; support the Technically support in strengthening complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM) and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) ; representing UNICEF in PSEA coordination forums including the Afghanistan PSEA Network; together with SBC, Communication and related sectors, and in liaison with the PSEA network, develop awareness raising materials for UNICEF office and partners.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Implementation of Afghanistan Country Office PSEA Action Plan

• Strengthen existing internal reporting mechanisms and case handling capacity to support UNICEF Afghanistan in strengthening its PSEA risk mitigation and complaints handling mechanism in line with UNICEF and international principles and guidelines;
• Ensure the PSEA global guideline and principles are reflected to ACO guideline at senior management and operational level through continuous awareness raising for senior management team;
• Technically guide the Field Offices and Programme for PSEA workplan is integrated and operationalized at all levels and with all sectors;
• Assure the quality and availability of IEC materials for awareness raising activities of PSEA in all UNICEF-supported sites in the local language (Dari and Pashto).
• Acting as back-up PSEA focal point for the Provinces when needed;

Assure Approporitate Reporting and Response of SEA Allegations

• Make sure all the SEA allegation reported to ACO is properly and timely recorded, reported as per UNICEF’s internal reporting guideline as well as IASC PSEA inter-agency guidelines;
• Conduct preliminary information gathering on reported cases, determination of categories, alert senior management (Representative) on the case, develop Significant Incident Report Support in oder for Represnetative to be able to report the case to OIAI.
• Facilitate victims assistance upon risk assessment and consent by the survivors, provide first aid when appropriate, being deployed to redpond to provide last-resort care for child survivors;
• Supervise and advise PSEA focal points to be able to receive and properly report SEA cases, advise UNICEF staff and Extenders for their protection measures from any replisal of negative impact as whistle blowers;
• Receive complaints and reports about alleged SEA (from staff, partners, community members and others);
• Be the focal point for the established reporting mechanism for PSEA hotline, GRM as well as UNICEF’s complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM) established in the different intervention/programmes;
• Work with the PSEA Specialist (P4) to navigate sensitive cases such as cases involving DFA, military personnel or involving security issues in coordination with related staff such as communication, security, field coordination and gender;
• Technically support and follow up on IP’s response to SEA network, collaboratively work with OIAI and LTA company when IP needs further technical support; or determine alternate options when IP does not have capacity to properly handle the case;

Capacity Building in PSEA for UNICEF staff, Implementing Partners and Extenders;

• Update ACO with globally up-to-date PSEA principles and apply it to training materials and messages;
• Develop various training and awareness raising session materials in local language;
• Develop strategic training plan (training missions, cascading, training for most at-rik geographical target) for ACO;
• Deliver mandatory training for all staff of UNICEF, Implementing Partners as well as contractors (including 3rd party HR company hired personnel, suppliers as well as contractors);
• Collaboratively facilitate capacity building of Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) staff including call center to be able to handle the case properly;

Assure the PSEA Capacity for Implementing Partners through PSEA Capacity Assessment and PSEA Capacity Building

• Make complete package of orientation for IP to go through PSEA assessment in line with UN common PSEA assessment tool and UNPP.;
• Facilitate orientation session and provide technical support for IP to do the PSEA assessment procedure (either group session or one-to-one sessions)
• Technically support Implementing Partners to build organizational PSEA capacity inline with mandatory PSEA assessment using UN Common Tool and UNPP;
• Supporting IP to have PSEA policies and structures in place, aligned with international standards and UNICEF systems; consulting and following up with partners on codes of conduct and safeguarding policies (including beyond PSEA) and risk mitigation plans including technical review and support as required by partners;
• Closely monitor and follow up IP PSEA capacity development plan which was established based on the PSEA assessment and make sure they achieve the improvement in the timeline set;
• Technically support UNICEF’s Implementing Partners to appropriately respond to SEA case when their staff/personnel is involved, including reporting obligation, protection measure for survivors; facilitation of survivor assistance as well as investigative process;

 Assure PSEA is integrated into all programme documents, donor proposals and reports so ACO’s programme and activities are in line with PSEA

• Provide technical support concerning appropriate prevention and risk mitigation strategies of SEA in programme proposal as well as partnership agreement/programme documents;
• Provide technical consultation for different sectors/staff in order to make sure PSEA is integrated into different sectors’ intervention;
• Represent PSEA team to the meeting and discussion with donors and relevant UN agencies to make sure UNICEF’s strategies and programme are fully alined to PSEA global polict and it is demonstrated;
• Contribute to the fund raising and donor negotiation through PSEA integration are in line with donors’ expectation;

Represent UNICEF in the inter-agency efforts and make sure UNICEF’s contribution to reinforce wider PSEA capacity and mitigation of SEA

• Participate into the meetings of inter-agenct PSEA Network (regular and ad-hoc) and contribute to the activities through UNICEF’s PSEA strategies and good practice;
• Join inter-agency activities such as joint mission and joint training facilitation on PSEA activities;
• Facilitate the training and awareness raising session in collaboration with other organizaitons in line with annual PSEA Network Plan;

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in design, implementation and management of PSEA, Safeguarding and Accountability to Affected People (AAP), or Protection and GBV programming, preferably with the UN and/or international NGO.
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts. Familiarity with the latest development in PSEA, inter-agency PSEA responses and humanitarian cluster systems is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills. Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions.
• Excellent facilitation, training, networking and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitablef female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.