Position Title: Roving PSEAH Specialist
Receiving Agency: WHO
P Level: P4
Location: Chisinau, Moldova
Duration: 6 months
Language: English is required. Russian, Ukrainian, local language is an asset.
Background
Over the past few years, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine has affected the lives of more than half a million internally displaced people (IDPs), of 5.2 million people living in the conflict regions and the thousands killed and wounded. The humanitarian situation has however worsened since February 24th when the relations between Russian Federation and Ukraine escalated to armed conflict. The intense military escalation has resulted in loss of life, injuries and mass movement of the civilian population throughout Ukraine and to neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. Overall an estimated 18 million Ukrainians have been affected by the conflict across the country, and over 1,8 Million have already left Ukraine to the neighboring countries. Over 230,000 have fled to Moldova.
The WHO, in coordination with the UN and its other humanitarian partners are in the process of scaling up operations, including mobilizing emergency financing to facilitate an effective, broad and timely humanitarian response across all affected areas, including surrounding affected countries.
WHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) of the communities it serves and for sexual harassment (SH) of its personnel. The WHO’s Health Emergency Programme is expanding its strategy to embed PSEA in the emergency response operations both in acute and protracted settings. WHO is prioritizing PSEA activities in conflict affected and vulnerable countries where the risk of SEAH may be persistently high due to the context and prolonged presence of multiple partners, in the context of vulnerable communities.
Purpose of the Position
Under the overall supervision of the WHO Incident Manager, and the Head of WHO Country Office (HWCO), and in line with the Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13); the Statement of Commitment on Eliminating Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and harassment by UN and Non-UN Personnel (2006); the PSEA Minimum Operating Standards; the WHO Policy on PSEA and on Preventing and addressing abusive conduct (PAAC), and in coordination and collaboration with the in-country PSEA Task Force and or network partners, the incumbent will oversee and strengthen PSEAH interventions and actions in WHO Country Office and WHO in-country operations; contribute to the in-country PSEA Network (ICN) actions and operational plan; and be a resource person for PSEA Network agencies and implementing Partners, including national Governments, NGOs and INGOs.
S/he shall maintain close consultation with the PRSEAH backup support at WHO/EURO and in HQ, and shall be responsible for technical and operational support, and to systematically roll out PRSEAH
Plan of Action (PoA) incorporating context specific risks of SEA and SH in the ongoing WHO response operations in Ukraine and in surrounding countries. He /she will be part of the WHO Incident Management System (IMST). The incumbent will coordinate with key stake holders internally in WHO, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), PSEA Task Force, PSEA network members, and national stake holders where feasible to implement the WHO and PSEA network/Task Force package of interventions with a focus and emphasis on enhanced safe-guarding and general prevention measures, community empowerment and engagement on PSEA matters, ensuring accessible reporting mechanisms and referral pathways, promoting access to victim and survivor centered support services, and including provision of technical support to Implementing Partners on PSEA matters in line with the UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Involving Implementing Partners. The incumbent will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting of progress, identification of challenges and providing regular updates through the IM, and the Head of the WCO to the Regional and HQ PRSEAH support units.
Job description:
*Objective of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. In discharging its mandate, all WHO personnel and collaborators are expected to respect and abide by the International standards of ethical and professional conduct, reflecting WHO ethical principles, and to respect and abide by the WHO Policy on zero tolerance to all forms of sexual misconduct, including zero tolerance to inaction, and to ensure that they abide by and promote the WHO Policy on PAAC.
Organizational context
Based on accessibility and evolving context the incumbent may either work from remotely, or at an operational location deemed safe for WHO operations in any of the crisis affected countries. The three levels of WHO and other UN Partners will continuously assess the evolving security and access situation, the needs and feasibility for implementing PRSEAH interventions on site or remotely, and guide the consultant progressively. The Incumbent may have to travel to other locations, including to other implicated countries to provide PSEAH technical and operational support on short notice.
Summary of assigned duties and responsibilities:
a. Oversee and strengthen implementation of PSEAH interventions in the current WHO emergency response operations through:
• Overseeing, coordinating and systematically rolling out an endorsed PRSEAH POA that is adapted to the context and needs of the emergency operations and as a key component of the Emergency Strategic Response Plan (SRP);
• Coordinating with key stakeholders internally in WHO and at all levels of the organization to ensure, monitor and report on the implementation and enforcement of comprehensive recruitment and deployment safe-guarding measures including, systematic background checks through Inter-Agency Clear Check Database and/or Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS); ensuring all personnel and volunteers sign the Code of Conduct (CoC); enforcement of mandatory and induction trainings to personnel, volunteers and key stakeholders; and
dissemination and distribution of PSEAH resource information package to all personnel, volunteers, Implementing partners and stakeholders;
• Mitigate PSEAH risks within WHO Programming for the emergency operations through dissemination of PSEAH information package to all personnel, partners and contractors; implementing PSEAH trainings and refresher courses to all personnel, implementing partners, volunteers and Government counterparts;
• Collaborating with other UN partners to ensure accessible reporting mechanisms, and clear referral pathways for victims and survivor support mechanisms in line with the UN Protocol for Victim support, and supporting and facilitating efficient reporting of incidences to the WHO hotline using a victim and survivor centered approach
• Collaborate with other partners to empower communities on their rights, reporting channels, and available victim support services including how to access the services and strengthen community engagement in implementation through establishment of Community Based Complain Mechanisms (CBCM) and related SOPs for handling of community complaints, reporting, referral, and provision of feedback;
• Collaborate with partners to map out existing victims and survivors service providers, gaps and needs; and coordinate internally to ensure appropriate channeling of WHO contributions to the joint efforts for victims and survivors support mechanisms;
• Provide guidance on PRSEAH human resource needs for WHO emergency operations, and supervise WHO in-country PSEA Focal Persons (FP) and Technical experts;
• Strengthen, supervise, monitor and report on the PRSEAH interventions by WHO and partners;
and
• Support/advise all key stake holders internally on responsibilities and accountabilities in preventing and responding to SEA and SH including regular briefings on risks, and incidents.
b. Contribute to the joint efforts of the Inter-agency standing committee (IASC) for scaling up in-country PSEAH Programme through:
• Contribution to and support the implementation of PSEA Task Force and Network TORs and Action Plan with a focus on joint risk assessments; inter-agency community-based complaint mechanisms (CBCM), development and implementation of victims’ assistance referral pathways, community awareness and community engagement on PSEA matters, joint training, PSEAH operational reviews and lessons learning, etc.;
• Contribute to various PSEA thematic work in relevant working groups, including Gender Based
Violence Area of Work (GBV- AoR), Protections Cluster, etc.);
• Develop a communication strategy together with the Inter-agency Humanitarian Working Group to facilitate awareness-raising in communities on their rights, available services and processes,
• Co-chair joint PSEA network activities as necessary ;
• Support and ensure the inclusion of PSEAH in humanitarian needs overview, humanitarian response plans, event specific SRPs and funding appeals.
c. Support PRSEAH mainstreaming among implementing partners, including national Governments, NGOs and INGOs through;
• On behalf of WHO, systematically roll out the “UN Protocol on Allegations of SEA” involving implementing partners and accompanying partner PSEA capacity assessment, and provide support to close gaps.
• Ensure that partners are trained on PSEAH, and that PSEAH clause is inserted in all contractual agreements
• In coordination and collaboration with PSEA network partners, organize and implement awareness and training sessions of Implementing Partners as part of the PSEA capacity building activity of Implementing Partners
d. Coordinate, collaborate and enhance capacities of national Governments and implementing partners to engage and contribute to PRSEAH actions and outcomes through advocacy, joint planning and implementation and empower them where feasible to take ownership and enforce accountability.
Recruitment Profile
Competencies: Generic
*1. Producing results
*2. Teamwork
*3. Communication
Competencies: Management
Building and promoting partnership across the Organization and beyond
Skills and behavioral requirements Proven integrity, objectivity, and professional competence
• Strong communication, facilitation, and inter-personal skills
• Effective time-management skills
• Strong capacity to embrace cultural diversity and sensitivity to gender issues
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure constant data protection
• Ability to interact in a sensitive manner with survivors
• Ability to work in a stressful environment
Functional Knowledge and Skills
*Describe the essential knowledge and skills specific to the position
Four competencies are considered to be mandatory for all WHO staff with managerial responsibilities: a) Teamwork b) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences c) Communication and d) Creating and empowering and motivating environment d) Proven experience and expertise in PSEA programming and program management. Proven experience in any of the following fields: sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, gender based violence, staff misconduct and discipline,
gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs. Understanding of the international development and humanitarian architecture - Familiarity with the UN system and global coordination structures (e.g. IASC) - Proven ability to implement an Action Plan. Excellent communication skills to negotiate /enlist cooperation from a broad range of actors from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Strong organizational skills complemented with the ability to work in a proactive and independent manner, multi-task and produce results under pressure. Diplomacy, tact and discretion.
Educational Qualifications
Essential
Advanced level University Degree (Masters level or above)in gender studies, humanitarian affairs, human rights, law, social work, public health, development studies, and/or other related social science disciplines.
Desirable
Specialization in specific training on dealing with and mitigating against sexual and gender based violence.
Experience
Essential
At least 10 years of relevant progressive work experience including experience in humanitarian relief work and /or health emergency response operations. Demonstrated technical expertise and experience in any of the following fields: Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH); Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP); Protection including child protection; , Human rights; Gender-based violence (GBV) and victim and survivor assistance; , Staff misconduct and discipline; Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL); Risk communication, and community engagement (RCCE); Training and capacity building specific to PRSEAH
Desirable
Exposure to the international development and humanitarian architecture, familiarity with the UN system and global coordination structures like the IASC. Working with crisis affected communities and in low income countries is an advantage.
Use of Language Skills
Essential: English is essential.
Desirable: Russian, Ukrainian, Polish (based on context/deployment site)