Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
The South- East of Madagascar, specifically the Vatovavy and Fitovinany regions which have a population of over 1.7 million people, has experienced two tropical storm systems this year which resulted in destruction of infrastructure and roads, loss of property and livelihood, and interruption of electricity and water supplies.
On 19 January 2023, tropical storm CHENESO made landfall on the northeast of Antalaha and caused heavy rainfall and flooding in 17 regions with 90,870 people affected including 34,114 displaced persons. On 19 February 2023, Very Intense Tropical Cyclone FREDDY made landfall approximately 30 km north of the town of Mananjary and intensified into a moderate tropical storm with preliminary reports indicating that seven people died and 116,701 people affected including 37,731 displaced persons. Due to extreme conditions of life and inappropriate shelter which may exacerbate already high levels of violence against women and girls, as well as an increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications; high potential risk of maternal death due to lack of access to health facilities, UNFPA immediately offered its assistance to the Government as part of the joint efforts of the United Nations.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
The presence of heavily armed groups decimates cows, kidnaps women and children, creating insecurity. This growing insecurity has weakened the already embryonic economy of the country. The country is used to face natural disasters such as cyclones.
Role Description: Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Representative and the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Coordinator, the incumbent is responsible for overseeing, facilitating and supporting the collective PSEA activities of organizations in the two regions.
The incumbent will support UNFPA to drive interagency (including NGO) and UNCT level PSEA efforts through enhanced synergy, collaboration and collective accountability; provides oversight and coordination of the PSEA task force, support the establishment of PSEA in-country programme, strengthen community-based complaints mechanism and referral pathways, and capacity building.
In consultation with the Deputy Representative and the Humanitarian Coordinator, the incumbent will work closely with work closely with and establish relevant partnerships other humanitarian stakeholders, NGOs, donors and government counterparts.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support Oversight and Coordination of the PSEA Task Force:
- Support the PSEA Task Force in implementing the in-country PSEA strategy and work plan and act as Secretariat for the PSEA Task Force in the Fitovinany and Vatovavy regions, including convening meetings, strategic agenda setting, minute taking, and following up on agreed actions.
- Support the PSEA Task Force to carry out a joint PSEA risk assessments to inform the UNFPA and OCHA on strategic decision-making.
- Support humanitarian stakeholders to follow good practices in PSEA implementation toward collective achievements, including implementation of SEA prevention, risk mitigation, and response measures during planning, policy and project development, and programming.
- Support the PSEA Task Force to develop a collective communication strategy to raise awareness on key PSEA messages, including the rights of affected populations, the fact that assistance and services are never conditioned on sexual favours, and how to submit sensitive complaints while ensuring confidentiality.
- Support the PSEA task force in developing a link with governmental structures for their effective involvement in PSEA interventions and work for their possible appropriation of this theme
- Represent the PSEA Network in relevant coordination bodies and forums in both regions
Planning, research, monitoring and evaluation:
- Maintain an overview of the situation and identify crucial gaps in PSEA activities.
- Provide timely and accurate reports on activities to humanitarian coordinator
- Undertake field visits to monitor programmes, as well as conduct periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners; propose and/or undertake action on operational procedures affecting PSEA activates implementation;
- Design, prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate PSEA activities on the field;
- Collect, analyze and evaluate data to ensure achievement of objectives and/or take corrective action when necessary to meet office objectives related to PSEA;
- Contribute towards preparation of the situation analysis by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information and writing chapters of the analysis related to PSEA; •
- Help strengthen PSEA networks in the regions, providing capacity building and support to such networks to ensure synergy and all action plans are implemented and strengthened; participate in Monitoring and Reporting at field level;
- Effectively promote knowledge management through drafting/finalizing key project documents and Situation reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange, including the new established integrated approach between cross sectors;
Establish and Strengthen Community Based Complaints Mechanisms, Victim Assistance and Referral Pathways:
- Supports the set up and maintenance of community-based complaints mechanism (CBCM) that has been adequately consulted with all relevant stakeholders, including communities
- Advocate for the above understanding of a joint CBCM within the PSEA Task Force membership and beyond, so that participation in the CBCM has the broadest scope possible.
- In coordination with the Protection Cluster, GBV and Child Protection sub-clusters, as well as, mobilize the PSEA Task Force to assist in a mapping exercise of available services and gaps for health, legal, psychosocial, and material support.
- Assist the PSEA Task Force to train service providers and create community level awareness on PSEA-specific components in services.
- Support the strengthening of the existing community based PSEA networks to actively engage in identifying, referring, reporting and supporting victims of SEA
Capacity Development:
- Support UN PSEA focal points to strengthen application of the UN Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy that clearly prohibits SEA, obliges reporting of such acts, enforces these clauses when breached, provides meaningful protection to whistle-blowers, and encourages safe reporting.
- Support training of staff on PSEA and the Code of Conduct, including appropriate conduct for aid workers and how to submit and receive complaints under internal and inter-agency reporting systems.
- Support the PSEA Task Force to hold trainings on sharing good practices in SEA complaint intake and referral for PSEA Focal Points, GBV and Child Protection actors, and all actors staffing CFM channels
- Collect and analyse inputs of the PSEA Task Force members and other relevant colleagues, identify recurring issues and trends, and share recommendations with UNFPA with the aim of enhancing strategic and operational decision-making related to PSEA in Madagascar.
- Advise the Representative / Deputy Representative / Humanitarian Coordinator on any actions and/or decisions to be taken at the UNCT level with regard to PSEA.
Any Other Duties:
- Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office, RO/SRO, and HQ
Qualifications and Skills Required:
- An advanced University degree in international development, Human Rights, Gender, Social Science, Psychology, Human Resources, Sociology, Social Work, Health, and other relevant social science fields
- A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working on PSEA prevention and responses in humanitarian and/or development settings; and in developing and facilitating training and capacity-building activities
- Humanitarian experience and international experience are of added advantage;
- Fluency in oral and written French.