PURPOSE:
Consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service and WFP's own Code of Conduct - and aligned with key WFP internal policies such as the Protection and Accountability Policy - WFP has a Zero Tolerance Policy to SEA and recognizes that it is a gross violation of power and a form of gender-based violence that all humanitarian partners have to prevent and respond to. One of the gravest violations of these standards and obligations is the sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) of beneficiaries by humanitarian actors. WFP is committed to ensuring that the community rights to dignity, respect and integrity are protected and met.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Sudan Country Office requires a PSEA Advisor to implement its PSEA policies and operationalise the 2026-2029 WFP Strategy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH).

BACKGROUND:
The 2026 SEA Risk Overview Index for Sudan indicates a high risk of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) among aid workers, with Sudan ranking 4^th out of 38 countries assessed. The Inter-Agency Risk Assessment on SEA in Sudan conducted in March 2025 reveals a consistently high likelihood of SEA, exacerbated by ongoing emergencies, displacement, and socio-economic vulnerabilities as well as significant systemic and operational gaps in prevention and response. 
WFP Sudan has over 800 staff in Sudan and in Chad (covering operations in the Western part of Sudan) working in extremely fragile contexts. PSEA work is supported by the Protection Team (AAP, CFM, Gender and Inclusion, Communication with Communities) and a network of PSEA Focal points at field level.  WFP has had a PSEA Advisor working in Sudan in the last 12 months, initiating some crucial work and identifying areas for further engagement.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director for Enabling Services, the PSEA Advisor will support WFP Sudan to implement the WFP PSEA Policy and the newly adopted WFP PSEAH strategy. The PSEA Advisor will take forward prevention and response efforts, and provide an updated action plan, which will allow the operationalization of the 2026-2029 WFP PSEAH strategy. This will include conceptualizing and implementing PSEAH prevention activities, responding to alleged SEA cases that are reported, and ensuring survivor-centered approach as well as appropriate victim support. The PSEA Advisor will engage with the PSEA Network and other inter-agency bodies addressing PSEA and make contributions to inter-agency PSEA response and monitoring. The PSEA Advisor will engage extensively with all the Units, focusing on Human Resource, Supply Chain, Security, Enabling Services, and collaborate with the Protection Team, the Cooperating Partners’ Management Unit, the Procurement Unit, Heads of Area Offices and Field Offices and PSEA Focal Points, and liaise with WFP PSEA Unit at Headquarters. The PSEA Advisor will be also responsible for designing and implementing targeted capacity building activities for staff and partners across different sectors, producing and disseminating relevant technical guidance, tools and resources.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key responsibilities
 

• SEA Risk Assessment – Undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of WFP presence, operations and activities to identify existing and emerging risks and present mitigations for adoption by the Country Office. Using field staff feedback, available data and analysis at country and WFP level, including CFM, collaborate with all concerned Units, including Human Resources, Supply Chain, Programme and especially its Protection Team and CFM, Security and Administration at CO and field levels. Update relevant risks documents. Ensure PSEA training of all staff will be done in 2026.

 

• Action Plan involving relevant Units: based on the results of the SEA Risk Assessment and in country available resources and plans (including current PSEA work plan), as well as the WFP 2026-2029 PSEAH Corporate strategy and upcoming guidance, develop a 2-year Action Plan with clear outcomes, responsibilities, timelines and costs. The plan should include collaboration with Human Resource on Protection against Sexual Harassment.

 

• Partner Capacity – Ensure implementation of the UN IP PSEA Capacity Assessment for new partners, support partners in the implementation of the Capacity Strengthening measures that have already been identified. Reinforce the knowledge of Field offices regarding PSEA capacities of partners and the agency of PSEA Focal points to contribute to partners’ capacity assessment and evaluation processes. 

 

• Vendors and Contractor Capacity – Ensure all partners, vendors and other contracting entities (other than Cooperating partners who go through the UN IP PSEA Capacity Assessment) have systems in place to fulfill WFP’s standards and requirements on PSEA and ensure monitoring. Provide support internally and all partners to develop tools and framework that can be used by vendors and other entities.

 

• PSEA Focal Points – Ensure continuous presence of PSEA Focal Points in all Area Offices and assess if coverage is sufficient and/or new Focal Points needed in the Field Offices. Provide support and organize regular exchanges and flow of information from the field to the CO, share information and capacity strengthening opportunities. Ensure that all Focal Points are able to collaborate with PSEA networks in their location to establish Community Based Complaint Mechanisms and with GBV coordination for understanding of risks and availability of services.

 

• Mainstreaming of PSEA – Support identification of good practices, gaps and opportunities for mainstreaming PSEA across WFP programmes and ensure dissemination to relevant staff, including PSEA Focal Points.

 

• Support to System-wide PSEAH Efforts – Identify new opportunities for WFP, represent WFP and contribute to the in country PSEA Network and its Strategic Advisory Group, and ensure that the specific needs of communities supported by WFP are well reflected  in the interagency forum and frameworks. Ensure alignment between WFP and Interagency practices and SOPs on all relevant areas.

 

• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Handling SEA Allegations: Ensure dissemination and appropriation of the newly developed SOP by all relevant staff, including Senior Management, Heads of Area Offices, Head of Units, PSEA Focal points and CFM agents. Review and update the SOP following potential development at CO and HQ levels.

 

• Reporting - Support and advise Management on the reporting of SEA allegations through corporate mechanisms; Support any request from the Office of Inspections and Investigations (OIGI) related to SEA allegations; ensure SEA reporting mechanism and protocols are clearly understood by all staff and implementing partners. Once a complaint is received, ensure that all information pertaining to complaints and reporting is handled and referred strictly in line with agreed protocols and the established SOPs in place, both within WFP and at an interagency level. 

 

• Victims’ Assistance: With the support of PSEA HQ Unit, and together with the Protection Team, develop a guidance note on survivor-centered approach and victims’ assistance (including for children). The note should provide clarity on key principles, responsibilities of WFP and partners at management level, duties of staff in ensuring provision of assistance to victims of GBV/SEA.  Ensure inclusion of victim assistance related information and principles in programme documents, guidelines and action plan. In collaboration with GBV Actors in country, suggest best practice for victims’ support and assistance in locations where GBV services are insufficient or inexistant.

 

• Awareness Raising – Develop awareness raising approaches that are innovative and reflect the roles and responsibilities of the audience and their communication, information and language needs and preferences. This includes awareness raising of: WFP staff, CP staff, vendors and contractors, authorities and local leaders, community and other key stakeholders.

 QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
 

Education:	Advanced University degree in social sciences, psychology, public health, law or related. Additional training in relevant field desirable.
Experience:	Five (5) to seven (7) or more years of experience in PSEA, gender, Protection, GBV or related areas. Proven experience engaging at Management level and with different Functional Units within humanitarian and/or development organizations Experience engaging at the Interagency Level
Knowledge & Skills:	Strong familiarity with UN policies and practices around gender, Accountability to Affected Populations, PSEA, Protection, GBV and related issues Demonstrated ability to engage with and motivate multi-cultural, cross-functional teams. Demonstrated knowledge of working with communities in deep-field locations. Integrating Survivor-Centered Approach Proven integrity, objectivity and professional competence. Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural diversity and gender issues Excellent research and analytical skills Excellent writing and interpersonal skills
Languages:	Fluency in oral and written English. Understanding of Arabic would be an advantage.