PSEA Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2024-2026, FAO will continue to implement emergency and longer-term, resilience-building projects and programmes in the context of the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) and the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Afghanistan. S/he will work under the direct supervision of Compliance Advisor and will work closely with the PSEA Focal Point and Alternate at FAO.

Technical Focus

The national PSEA Specialist is responsible for coordinating and providing substantial technical support to PSEA activities of FAO [Country Office].

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide PSEA technical support to PSEA Focal Point and Alternates, Country Office teams, including programming, partnerships, human resources, etc to ensure mainstreaming of PSEA processes and build technical capacity to ensure sustainability. • Deliver PSEA awareness sessions/refresher trainings to all personnel in country; capacity building of PSEA Focal Points and Alternates and in country FAO implementing partners as required. • In line with FAO’s PSEA Policy, develop a robust PSEA Work Plan for FAO [country office], adapted to the local context. • In coordination with relevant Officers at country level, support or implement outreach and engagement with programme beneficiaries and wider affected communities in areas of FAO programme implementation. • Review existing complaints and feedback mechanisms – where established- to ensure mechanisms can safely and confidentially handle SEA allegations if received. If not established, establish appropriate mechanisms ensuring consultation with affected communities. • Carry out SEA risk assessments in [insert country office], identify, and support implementation of appropriate SEA prevention, mitigation, and response measures to strengthen protection of communities where FAO works. • Support FAO participation in inter-agency CBCMs and interagency PSEA Network meetings. • Ensure a victim/survivor-centered approach mechanisms are established or strengthened, and that SEA incidents and allegations are reported through the appropriate channels designated at FAO. • Initiate PSEA capacity assessments and strengthening activities with implementing partners to ensure application of the UN implementing partner protocol.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s) or university degree (Bachelor’s) in social sciences, gender studies, international development, or any other relevant field is required. • For advanced degree at least five (5) years of relevant experience in any of the following areas: prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected people (AAP), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), survivor/victim assistance, protection, child protection, safeguarding. • For university degree at least seven (7) years of relevant experience in any of the following areas: prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected people (AAP), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), survivor/victim assistance, protection, child protection, safeguarding. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and the local languages (Pashto and/or Dari). • National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in facilitating training and capacity building activities on PSEA is required. • Experience applying UN and IASC PSEA standards, frameworks and tools and/or experience working on safeguarding to international standards in complex humanitarian contexts, highly desirable. • Experience establishing, maintaining, or working with complaints and feedback mechanisms desirable. • Demonstrable report and presentation writing skills. • Familiarity with data protection standards and confidentiality is required. • Work experience in field locations and humanitarian settings required. • Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings. • Experience working on prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian and complex emergencies particularly desirable. • Familiarity with the UN system and global coordination structures (e.g. IASC) an advantage; • Sensitivity and commitment to cultural diversity, gender issues and victim/survivor approaches is required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.