Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by humanitarian and development workers directly contradicts the principles of the UN and represents a protection failure on the part of the aid and development community. SEA inflicts harm and damage on those whom the humanitarian community is mandated to protect, as well as jeopardizes the reputation of all UN agencies and other actors alike.

The complex situation in Mexico due to the Mixed Migration Flow from central and southern America, as well as from the Caribbean and Africa has significantly increased the number of actors working with persons of concern, consequently contributing to a higher risk of SEA. As such, because of the need to rapidly respond to the needs of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced persons, several actors might not have set-up internal policies and procedures for the adequate prevention and response to SEA.

Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Mexico established the PSEA Network in October 2021 with the main objective of coordinating interagency initiatives to strengthen awareness raising and the capacities of the UN and its partners to develop a culture of effective prevention and response to SEA. In November 2021, an initial Plan of Action was adopted by the UNCT. UNHCR has been supporting the functioning of the Network by providing a specialized focal point that serves as an interim PSEA Coordinator.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Resident Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer PSEA Specialist will:

• Support PSEA in-country program and coordinate the PSEA Network. • Establish the Network´s TORs in collaboration with the PSEA task force and agency PSEA focal points • Support senior leadership to strengthen the inter-agency PSEA Network, consisting of membership from UN agencies; international, national, and local organizations; and/or government bodies operating in the country; • Organize and facilitate the PSEA Network meetings, ensuring effective participation; • Support the PSEA task force and agency PSEA focal points to conduct a joint PSEA risk assessment to inform the Resident Coordinator UNCT; • Support and coach the PSEA Focal Points at national and local level; • Promote the development of PSEA awareness material that is contextually and culturally sensitive; share relevant guidelines, information, etc. with actors; • Regularly report to the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team on progress achieved and relevant issues; • Participate and represent the PSEA Network in meetings of relevant working groups; in particular, ensure close coordination with the working group on Gender-Based Violence and the working group on PSEA in Shelters; • Liaise with global PSEA bodies (e.g. the IASC AAP/PSEA Task Team), share regular updates on PSEA implementation; also liaise with other PSEA Coordinators in the region. • Strengthen PSEA within organizations and engage stakeholders. • Advocate and provide recommendations to implement SEA prevention, risk mitigation, and response measures during planning, policy and project development; • Provide inputs in the development of inter-agency strategic documents, to include PSEA activities in projects and programs and to access funding for work on PSEA; • Lead a joint PSEA risk assessment to identify priorities to enhance prevention and response to SEA, review the Network´s Action Plan accordingly; • Train PSEA focal points on their roles and responsibilities; • Advocate with agencies to include PSEA clauses in their partnership agreements and enforce these clauses when breached; • Advocate that human resources personnel include PSEA content in all agency staff inductions, contracts and sub-contracting, and advocate for enforcement of PSEA contract clauses including the establishment of procedures to prevent re-recruitment of offenders; • Collect and analyse inputs of PSEA Focal Points, identify issues and trends, and share recommendations with senior leadership with the aim of enhancing strategic and operational decision-making related to PSEA; • Carry out field missions to strengthen prevention and response to SEA in strategic areas of the country. • Establish an inter-agency complaint mechanism. • Mapping the existing complaint mechanisms in Mexico (including community-based complaint mechanisms), provide recommendations to strengthen them; share good practices for secure and confidential feedback; • Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the inter-agency Community-based Complaint Mechanism (CBCM), for safely reporting SEA incidents and that is appropriate for the local context; • Provide guidance to the PSEA focal points on the implementation process of the interagency CBCM and awareness-raising in communities; • Provide awareness-raising sessions and training on PSEA for the humanitarian and the development actors including UN personnel and implementing partners, victim´s assistance providers, relevant working group leads, and as appropriate, community members on their rights, international standards on PSEA, roles and responsibilities, and how to submit and receive complaints; • Establish an inter-agency referral protocol and ensure actors undertake all required actions to refer victims to adequate response services, including for children; • Analyse trends on anonymized SEA statistics and provide recommendations to respond to identified trends; • Receive and follow up on SEA complaints that are addressed to the PSEA Coordinator as appropriate. • Additional tasks as required due to the needs of the context. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active PSEA Coordinator, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the Office of the Resident Coordinator and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o The PSEA Network has finalized TORs, meets regularly and is actively engaged o The interagency CBCM and referral protocol are established o The joint PSEA risk assessment is carried out o The PSEA focal points are trained o Field missions are carried out • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to the UN system; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Leadership: ability to lead and coordinate a Network of different actors and advocate before the UNCT; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN Core Values.

a humanitarian setting relevant in the field of PSEA, protection, gender-based violence, staff misconduct and discipline, gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs.

Experience in the Americas region will be considered.

• Familiarity with the UN system and global coordination structures (e.g. IASC) is an advantage. • Experience in developing and facilitating training and capacity-building activities is an advantage • Familiarity with data protection and confidentiality measures is an advantage • Background in complaint and feedback mechanisms is an advantage

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in international migration, refugees and forced displacement, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Mexico City is the capital of the United Mexican States. It is in the center of the country, at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. It covers a total area of 1,485 square kilometers and its population is approximately 8.8 million people. Climate: Daily high temperature is around 26°C throughout the year, exceeding 29°C or dropping below 22°C. Daily low temperatures range from 9°C to 11°C, falling below 6°C or exceeding 13°C. Carrying a light sweater is strongly recommended.

Local currency: The national currency is the Mexican peso ($). The exchange rate against the United States dollar fluctuates around 22.00 pesos. The official exchange rate can be found by visiting the following link: www.banxico.org.mx/portal-mercado-cambiario/index.html. Money may be exchanged in hotels, at the airport, banks and bureaux of change. Banking hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. You MUST present your passport in banks. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most commercial establishments; however, it is recommended that you carry some cash, as there are small establishments that do not accept credit cards.

Local time: Mexico City’s time zone is UTC/GMT-6

Electricity: 110 volts, 60 hertz (similar to the United States), and wall sockets may be for two- or three-pin plugs. Visitors wishing to use devices not designed for use in North America should bring an adapter with a voltage transformer.

Water: Drinking tap water is not recommended; visitors are advised to consume only boiled or bottled water.

Sales tax and tipping: Value added tax of 16% is levied on most products and services. In restaurants it is customary to leave a tip of between 10% and 15% of the total bill.

Emergency phone numbers: Within Mexico City 911 Emergencies; 5658-1111 LOCATEL (Public directory enquiries service)

Altitude: Mexico City stands at 2,239 metres above sea level, and visitors may experience some discomfort.