PSEA Programme Officer (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse)

Volunteering Programme & Policy

Overview

Assist in strengthening PSEA efforts for children's protection.

You have:

• Experience in Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) or Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is highly desirable.
• Experience working with community-based organizations, NGOs, or international organizations is an advantage.
• Interest and some experience in capacity building and working with partners.
• Familiarity with project support, reporting, and human rights-based approaches is a plus.
• Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to draft simple reports.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and willingness to learn new tools.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with different people and communities.
• Ability to work independently with some guidance and meet deadlines; a proactive approach to learning and adapting.
• Security awareness and sensitivity to cultural and social contexts.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946 with the mandate to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs, and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories through country programmes and National Committees, working with partners to promote the survival, protection, and development of children worldwide. UNICEF's core mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does—in programmes, advocacy, and operations. The organization's equity strategy focuses on addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families to ensure their full development and protection. UNICEF believes that addressing inequity leads to the sustained growth and stability of nations.

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF Burundi's commitment to strengthening the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) efforts within its development and humanitarian interventions. The PSEA interventions aims to create safe environments where women, children, and their communities are protected and respected by humanitarian and development personnel. UNICEF ensures that individuals can access protection and assistance without fear or risk of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). Aligned with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which emphasizes PSEA within Goal Area 3—"Every child is protected from all forms of violence, exploitation, abuse, and harmful practices"—this initiative seeks to establish and strengthen PSEA systems at the country level. UNICEF's Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) and Emergency Procedures further reinforce these efforts. The position will report directly to the PSEA Programme Specialist and will work closely with PSEA Focal Points including those from UNICEF and the Inter-Agency PSEA Network in Burundi. In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the PSEA Specialist, the UNV PSEA Programme Officer will: • Assist in the PSEA Risk Assessment cycle for UNICEF implementing partners and PSEA Network members. • Support partners in aligning PSEA policies and structures with UNICEF standards and the UN Protocol. • Contribute to the coordination and implementation of PSEA capacity-building initiatives for implementing partners. • Facilitate coordination, internal communication, and community engagement within the PSEA Network. • Assist with documentation, monitoring, and reporting requirements of the PSEA team. • Contribute to manage and monitor community-level feedback and complaints channels. • Support awareness-raising efforts and the development of communication materials to promote SEA prevention and reporting in local languages. • Assist in establishing accessible community-based reporting mechanisms, considering the specific needs of women and children. • Provide support to ongoing projects, events, and partnerships as needed.

• Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and ethics in all professional and personal conduct. • Respect for Diversity: Valuing and fostering an inclusive environment by embracing cultural, gender, religious, and professional differences. • Professionalism: Demonstrating expert knowledge and skills with efficiency and effectiveness while ensuring accountability and responsibility. • Communication: Clearly conveying ideas, actively listening, and adapting messages to diverse audiences and contexts. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for fostering collaboration and ensuring mutual understanding. • Collaboration: Building and maintaining supportive working relationships by demonstrating sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, respecting differences, and encouraging everyone to contribute and succeed.

Qualifications and Experience: • Experience in PSEA, GBV is highly desirable. • Experience working with community-based organizations, NGOs, or international organizations is an advantage. • Interest and some experience in capacity building and working with partners. • Familiarity with project support, reporting, and human rights-based approaches is a plus.

Skills and Competencies: • Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to draft simple reports. • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and willingness to learn new tools. • Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with different people and communities. • Ability to work independently with some guidance and meet deadlines and a proactive approach to learning and adapting. • Security awareness and sensitivity to cultural and social contexts.

Burundi's challenging economic and social context directly affects living conditions. Before the 2015 crisis, GDP per capita rose from $105 in 2005 to $350 in 2015, but remains very low, requiring significant efforts to achieve a decent standard of living. Poverty rates were 67% in 2010 and 64.6% in 2014. In 2019, Burundi ranked as the 2nd poorest country globally, compared to 178th out of 186 in 2012. High poverty levels and rapid population growth hinder economic progress, and access to basic services remains difficult for vulnerable groups such as returnees, displaced persons, widows, and orphans.

Burundi is classified by UNDSS as a non-family duty station, with caution advised in Bujumbura and other areas. Volunteers can operate nationwide while following UNDSS security measures.

Bujumbura and provincial capitals offer essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, hotels, shops, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable Host Entity’s policy

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org