Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Specialist P-4, Erbil (Temporary Appointment)

Job organizational context:

The PSEA Specialist will be based in Erbil, however the function is at country level and hence s/he will provide technical support to all field offices/governorates where UNICEF programmes are being implemented.  The PSEA Specialist will report to the Deputy Representative – Programme and with dotted reporting channel to the Chief, Child Protection while work in close collaboration with the GBV Specialist.

 

To make a difference you will:

Within this context, ICO has identified the following significant needs related to robust protection against sexual exploitation and abuse:

• strengthening inter-agency PSEA capacity at the country level including improving the reporting and complaint mechanisms at the community level so that they are more child and survivor friendly;
• strengthening capacity of UNICEF staff and partners;
• institutionalizing PSEA mechanisms more solidly across sectors and within the organization.

To fulfill this commitment, the PSEA Specialist will implement UNICEF Iraq Office’s Action Plan on PSEA which focuses on enhancing UNICEF and partners’ capacity to prevent and respond to SEA; supporting the country office in managing and coordinating SEA concerns and allegations, supporting partners to implement internal complaints and investigation procedures; providing technical guidance to senior management on PSEA issues; support the implementation of community based complaints mechanism (CBCM); representing UNICEF in PSEA coordination forums including the Iraq PSEA Network; together with Communications for Development (C4D), and in liaison with the PSEA network, develop awareness raising materials for UNICEF office and partners.

 

Your main responsibilities include:

Strengthening inter-agency PSEA capacity at the country level including improving the reporting and complaint mechanisms at the community level so that they are more child and survivor friendly

• Support PSEA Network coordination meetings and documentation;
• Act as PSEA focal point for the country office, participating in the inter-agency PSEA Network meetings, receiving and following up on allegations referred to UNICEF, and technically supporting the network initiatives;
• Work closely with the PSEA Network in taking forward actions including:
  • Development of information sharing/messaging strategies on SEA across network members;
  • Development and implementation of a Community Based Complaints Mechanism on SEA;
  • Development of outreach and sensitization on SEA in the communities; training PSEA Focal Points and staff from humanitarian organizations
  • Responding to complaints that arise, and developing interagency responses to problems that become evident

Strengthening implementation of PSEA prevention and response with UNICEF partners through capacity building and mentorship by:

• Support roll out of partner trainings on PSEA and Child Safeguarding and supporting development of internal capacity for further trainings within the partner organizations
• Support partners 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
• Provide technical support concerning appropriate prevention and risk mitigation strategies to advance survivor-centred, child-friendly complaint mechanisms

Institutionalizing PSEA across UNICEF systems and programmes through implementation of Country Office action plan by:

• Receive complaints and reports about alleged SEA (from staff, partners, community members and others);
• Once a complaint is received:
  • Ensure that all information pertaining to complaints is handled and referred strictly in line with agreed protocols: the internal UNICEF Notification Alert and inter-agency information sharing procedure agreed with the PSEA Task Force;
  • Ensure that information gathered on SEA allegation is verified and whistle-blowers and alleged victims are interviewed in line with the interviewing protocols;
  • Immediately refer victims to appropriate service providers so that they receive the medical, psychosocial, legal and material support they may need;
  • In coordination with the Chief, Child Protection Specialist and/or GBV Specialist, ensure that child survivors of SEA access assistance and support;
  • In coordination with the Chief, Child Protection Specialist and/or GBV Specialist, monitor the quality of assistance and follow up provided to survivors of SEA by UNICEF partners;
• Work with the Child Protection team to define the modality for monitoring the assistance provided to child SEA survivors by service providers (other than UNICEF implementing partners) capacity building and system strengthening;
• Supervise and build the capacity of national Child Safeguarding Officer to support UNICEF field offices, staff and partners on PSEA and Child Safeguarding
• Support office teams to institutionalize PSEA efforts within their programmes, monitoring and facilities (e.g. HACT, supply section, programme component teams, etc.) including support to operationalize reporting mechanisms and on adaptation of tools as needed;
• Ensure that PSEA workplan is operationalized at all levels and with all sectors, develop and disseminate IEC materials in all UNICEF-supported sites;
• Support UNICEF PSEA focal points, including through training and capacity building, on implementation of PSEA activities and reporting procedures at field office level. 
• Provide guidance and support to senior management, heads of sections, human resources and operations on PSEA issues;
• Support and advise the Head of Office on the reporting of SEA allegations;
• Review of existing internal reporting mechanisms to support ICO in strengthening its PSEA risk mitigation and complaints handling mechanism in line with UNICEF and international best practice standards.

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of child safeguarding/protection programmes/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to the achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children against harm, all forms of violence and ensures their survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you should have:

• Education:  An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: human rights, psychology, sociology, social work, health or another relevant social science field.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in design, implementation and management of protection or GBV programming and PSEA actions, 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. 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.
• Language Requirement:   Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of Arabic or Kurdish language is an added advantage

 

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and the eight competencies as per our competency framework (https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf).

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks:

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