Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Advisor, P5, Fixed Term, WCARO Dakar Senegal

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 159,984 USD and 200,496 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

In West and Central Africa, UNICEF has strengthened its PSEA mechanisms in all 24 countries, mobilizing financial and human resources to meet its commitments. Specific support has also been provided in the context of larger-scale humanitarian responses such as the Ebola epidemics in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and more recently in the context of the activation of its level 2 emergency response for the Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) and the coastal countries (Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Togo).

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

The objective of this position is to provide strategic, technical and operational support to the UNICEF RO and COs in West and Central Africa Region (WCAR) to strengthen interventions for the prevention and response of SEA and Concerns of Abuse (Significant Harm to a Child) in line with UNICEF ‘s Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 and CCCs. The incumbent will be responsible for advancing the PSEA work within the humanitarian and development community at both regional and country levels.

S/he will provide on a day-to-day basis tailored support to the 24 Country Offices (COs) to ensure that they have the required programmatic and operational capacity and systems in place to prevent and respond to SEA.

S/he will strengthen the integration of the PSEA into the different sectors of intervention of the organization including in the implementation strategies within the framework of UNICEF "Key Result for Children" on the protection of children against sexual violence.

A. Support UNICEF West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) actions on PSEA

1. Provide advice to the UNICEF Regional Director and senior management for West and Central Africa (including Deputy Representative Director, Regional Emergency Adviser, Regional Advisers, Implementing Partnership Management Specialist) on priorities and strategies to advance the PSEA programmatic and policy framework in the region (including (i) the overall integration of PSEA from the outset of all humanitarian response, (ii) the inclusion of PSEA in programmatic interventions, (iii) victims’ assistance and (iv) risk management of SEA in implementing partnerships).

2. Coordinate regular briefings, policy updates, position papers for senior management including UNICEF Headquarters.

3. Lead the mobilization of resources to support PSEA work both at Regional and Country levels.

4. Proactively build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with governments, UN agencies, partners, donors, internationally recognised institutions, NGOs, funding organisations, research institutes and private sector in order to reinforce PSEA accountability and mechanisms in WCAR.

5. Provide technical and strategic support at regional level to UNICEF senior management, UN agencies and other humanitarian and development actors to strengthen mechanisms for prevention and response to SEA including by : (i) supporting capacity building initiatives on PSEA (development of interagency standard guidance and tools to support the implementation and monitoring of PSEA systems), (ii) leading at regional level the development and roll out of UNICEF -led PSEA protocols, tools, and relevant guidance documents for programming.

6. Support actively the regional PSEA Interagency Taskforce and the regional IASC including by: (i) facilitating PSEA mainstreaming in other regional coordination mechanisms, (ii) supporting the development of enhanced policies frameworks on PSEA.

7. Strengthen the prevention and response to SEA through the roll out of the WCARO of the PSEA action plan, and PSEA sectors of the annual management plan.

8. Ensure the integration of cross sectorial engagement on PSEA within the RO, by prompting the inclusion of PSEA activities in relevant programme and operations’ sections’ work.

9. Coordinate the reporting and monitoring of SEA incidents at regional level, ensuring the review and submission of the Significant Incident Reports (SIRs), following up on survivors’ assistance, providing guidance to COs seniors management on case handling when required.

10. Carry out periodic analysis on SEA cases and trends to inform UNICEF RO and Headquarters senior management.

B. Contribution to global policy and guidance on PSEA

1. Liaise closely with relevant focal points in UNICEF Headquarters and regional offices on PSEA policy developments.

2. Contribute to the development and keep abreast of new policies and provisions related to SEA and facilitate their integration into regional and COs programme approaches and strategies.

3. Prepare WCAR inputs to UNICEF headquarters-led global PSEA policy and guidance initiatives and materials.

4. Work closely with HQ counterparts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and address in-country challenges within the WCAR region.

5. Contribute to global initiatives and reflexions including on matters such as SEA victims’ access to justice, legal aid and roll out of PSEA policies and frameworks with government partners.

6. Participate in UNICEF inter-regional PSEA Focal Points meetings to contribute to global guidance on PSEA.

7. Support WCAR contributions on PSEA to UNICEF senior management meetings.

C. Technical support to WCAR Country Offices

1. Support COs to fully implement and scale up PSEA, including to meet the targets outlined in the UNICEF Strategic Plan, Core Commitments for Children and Emergency Procedures:

- Advise and support CO senior management, programme specialists and PSEA focal points to roll-out reporting procedures, assistance and accountability measures, as part of overall prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse

- Strengthen in-country capacities for the roll out of guidelines and policies

- Lead the UNICEF PSEA regional community of practice (support learning exchanges between countries, identify document and share best practices, maintain the regional SharePoint updated).

- Respond to specific technical support needs of COs (and of PSEA focal points), including through:

a. Monitoring of COs PSEA Action Plans, identification of priority actions to enhance prevention and response to SEA and the identification of support needs;

b. Supporting programme and operations staff with the inclusion of GBV risk mitigation, prevention and response related activities;

c. Supporting the COs in the establishment/strengthening of community reporting channels in consultation with local communities/beneficiaries, including their regular review to strengthen overall programme quality and design;

d. Promoting innovation and the use of digital tools, where appropriate, to further scale up PSEA programming and engagement with affected populations;

e. Supporting the integration of PSEA actions into sections’ Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs).

2. Support COs to contribute to interagency, HCT, UNCT processes:

- Review of draft versions of COs and Country interagency tools and guidance on PSEA

- Advise and support Humanitarian Coordinators/ Country Teams and Resident Coordinators/ UNCTs on PSEA, including deployments as part of inter-agency PSEA missions.

- Provide technical support and training to roll-out UN Protocols and IASC priorities, in line with UNICEF’s established global leadership roles.

- Support in-country UNICEF’s engagement with the interagency PSEA Networks/Task Forces, GBV and CP Area of Responsibility (CP AoR) or CP working groups, Protection cluster and Inter-clusters on prevention and response of SEA.

3. Provide expert advice and support to governments, implementing partners and other stakeholders:

- In collaboration with WCAR Operations Section and relevant Programme colleagues: support risk management and organisational development of implementing partners including by: (i) carrying out or finalizing Implementing Partner (IP) SEA risk assessments, (ii) strengthening COs capacities on the UN Common Implementing Partner SEA Risk Assessment and the use of the harmonized e-tools.

- Support the COs in establishing and maintaining a constructive engagement with governments based on the government cooperation framework and global guidance and tools.

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

Education:

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.

Experience:

- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in design, implementation and management of Human Rights, Protection/Child Protection, GBV programming and/or other related areas;

- Substantial experience in the field of PSEA, preferably with the UN.

- Demonstrable experience in team management and programme management experience

- Familiarity with global developments on PSEA

- Experience working in development and humanitarian contexts.

- Excellent communication skills.

- Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions.

- Excellent facilitation and training skills

- Proven networking and advocacy skills.

- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and 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 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

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

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

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). 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.