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UNFPA-GBViE Programme Specialist-P3-Honiara, Solomon Islands
Honiara, Solomon IslandsPosition Title: GBViE Programme Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Duration: 3 months with a possible extension
Language: English
The destruction in all four countries is serious. Solomon Islands and FSM have declared a State of Emergency, due to large scale destruction of medical facilities, homes, ground and maritime transport and logistics capacities and food crops. Displacement in Solomon Islands and Chuuk is likely to be protracted, and response capacity weak, due to the remoteness of the island locations, lack of presence of development partners and disaster response capacities in the affected small islands and the global fuel crisis, which had already begun to reduce access to supplies and transport for these locations before the cyclones struck.
As global evidence has established GBV risks escalate during and immediately after emergencies. The Pacific has some of the highest rates of GBV and harmful practices globally, including the impacted countries. In Vanuatu, a 2024 national GBV prevalenc survey established that more than 8 in 10 women experience at least one or more types of intimate partner violence (86%) by a husband or partner, and more than 1 in 10 (12%) have been raped, far above global averages. In Solomon Islands, 64% of women reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by a partner, according to the UNFPA-supported Solomon Islands Family Health and Safety Study (2014). In Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Child Marriage is also very high compared to global averages with rates at 21% of girls marrid before age 18 for both countries. In FSM, the sensitivity of child marriage has meant that it has never been measured previously, although it is known to occur with laws prohibiting child marriage adopted only by some states within the past 10 years. Intimate partner violence is also widespread in FSM, with Chuuk state having particularly high prevalence at In Chuuk, nearly one in two (49.9%) ever-partnered women have experienced physical and/or sexual partner violence in their lifetime (Family Health and Safety Study, 2014). In Fiji, 64% of women have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (Somebody’s Life, Everybody’s Business, FWCC, 2013).
Response capacities to GBV are weak in all these contexts due to the extremely remote island locations and limited resources, and in the case of FSM and Vanuatu the lack of pre-disaster functioning multi-sectoral coordination and response systems. Health sector response to GBV is the most available entry point in all contexts, which is primarily supported by UNFPA, but health facilities have been severely damaged, as well as their staff’s availability to provide services impacted by the cyclones. Mental health needs and protection of healthcare staff are also high priorities of the government for the disaster response. There is a Health Sector GBV SOP, with emergency components, in place for all of these contexts but limited staff traind and available to implement it. While Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have some CSO capacity for GBV case management, these actors and services are often not present in the remote locations, and when they are it is often a single staff member, who cannot manage the caseload, particularly during an emergency. FSM has one CSO that provides GBV services, but they are not trained in GBV case management and there are not functional referral pathways. None of the CSOs for these contexts have been trained in the Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies, or other core standards for a quality response.
Speedy response and recovery is imperative to save lives impacted by this combination of disasters and to maintain preparedness for other cyclone-related emergencies, still expected for the North Pacific until July.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Generally, Solomon Islands is safe with a minimum security threat rating and it is a family duty station. There are natural disaster threats, including Earthquakes and cyclones. Following the recent Earthquake, there is a new temporary UN office that has been security assessed as safe to be able to provide for UN staff and contractors assurances of a safe working space.
Role Description:
Under the overall supervision of UNFPA’s Gender and Human Rights Advisor, the surge staff will support coordination and the rapid implementation of the Recovery Plan for the set of emergencies, focused on the GBV in Emergencies response and recovery activities, as well as ensure ongoing preparedness for any new emergencies that may emerge. The staff will be located in Solomon Islands, but will contribute remote support to the other contexts. They may be requested to undertake missions to Vanuatu and FSM, pending funding availability.
The staff will support rapid programmatic implementation of UNFPA’s emergency response fund programm, and CERF and other Pacific pooled funding if it becomes available. They will support the Government and the UNFPA PSRO Humanitarian team GBV and SRH analysts to establish and implement programming on Health sector response to GBV, Women and Girl Safe Spaces, Dignity Kits, Referral mechanisms, GBV Case Management and GBV risk mitigation safety audit activities, in line with the inter-agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies, the inter-agency Guidelines for integration of GBV in Humanitarian Action (e.g. GBV guidelines), WHO guidelines and UNFPA’s standards and guidance, as well as the Sendai Framework principles of “Build Back Better.” They will promote and includes cross-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration between UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF,OCHA and UNW when needed, to ensure an inter-agency approach to programmatic implementation in line with UNFPA’s role as the lead of the Pacific GBV Sub-cluster and global Provider of Last Resort.
In support of coordination for preparedness, the staff will support the government and the WLO capacities (e.g. Solomon Island WLOs, Vanuatu Women’s Center, Chuuk Women’s Centre) to establish and maintain a functioning GBViE coordination mechanism, under the leadership of the government and in partnership with local NGOs, where possible. The role will include providing content and training for GBV sub-cluster meetings, or other GBV events and ensuring a functioning system for GBV actors to regularly contribute to the inter-agency 3/4/5Ws for emergencies and recovery activities, inter-sectoral advocacy, assessments, preparedness and contingency planning, resource mobilization and monitoring and evaluation, in alignment with the IASC six core cluster functions.
The staff will work to support robust planning and implementation of the UNFPA GBV programme in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, FSM and Fiji, contributing to the Pacific Humanitarian Team’s efforts to ensure a well-functioning GBV coordination mechanism that promotes the highest standards of GBV prevention and response across all agencies and actors, in line with global standards and the GBV Area of Responsibility.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The position will be based with UNFPA but with the expectation that the position will provide regular support to the relevant government agencies and CSOs.
GBV Coordination for Recovery and Preparedness
Strategic planning
Building inter-agency coordination and partnerships:
Information Management and M&E:
Capacity development:
GBV Programme for Recovery and Preparedness
Strategic planning
Programme Development and implementation:
Information Management and M&E:
Capacity development:
Advocacy
Qualifications and Skills required:
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Duration: 3 months with a possible extension
Language: English
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
The Pacific has experienced a complex array of multiple, sudden onset natural disasters within one month, including a 7.2 Earthquake and Volcanic eruptions displacing communities in Ambae Vanuatu in late March, then two simultaneous cyclones – one in Fiji, affecting 68,845 people, and a second Category 5 Cyclone in Solomon Islands the first week of April impacting 125,000 people. These twin tropical cyclones were followed days later by a powerful “Super Typhoon”, Typhoon Sinlaku, that struck the most populated group of islands in the state of Chuuk in FSM on Sunday, 12 April, and continues to progress and build force with more destruction and landfalls expected in Yap state in FSM and Guam. The destruction in all four countries is serious. Solomon Islands and FSM have declared a State of Emergency, due to large scale destruction of medical facilities, homes, ground and maritime transport and logistics capacities and food crops. Displacement in Solomon Islands and Chuuk is likely to be protracted, and response capacity weak, due to the remoteness of the island locations, lack of presence of development partners and disaster response capacities in the affected small islands and the global fuel crisis, which had already begun to reduce access to supplies and transport for these locations before the cyclones struck.
As global evidence has established GBV risks escalate during and immediately after emergencies. The Pacific has some of the highest rates of GBV and harmful practices globally, including the impacted countries. In Vanuatu, a 2024 national GBV prevalenc survey established that more than 8 in 10 women experience at least one or more types of intimate partner violence (86%) by a husband or partner, and more than 1 in 10 (12%) have been raped, far above global averages. In Solomon Islands, 64% of women reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by a partner, according to the UNFPA-supported Solomon Islands Family Health and Safety Study (2014). In Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Child Marriage is also very high compared to global averages with rates at 21% of girls marrid before age 18 for both countries. In FSM, the sensitivity of child marriage has meant that it has never been measured previously, although it is known to occur with laws prohibiting child marriage adopted only by some states within the past 10 years. Intimate partner violence is also widespread in FSM, with Chuuk state having particularly high prevalence at In Chuuk, nearly one in two (49.9%) ever-partnered women have experienced physical and/or sexual partner violence in their lifetime (Family Health and Safety Study, 2014). In Fiji, 64% of women have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (Somebody’s Life, Everybody’s Business, FWCC, 2013).
Response capacities to GBV are weak in all these contexts due to the extremely remote island locations and limited resources, and in the case of FSM and Vanuatu the lack of pre-disaster functioning multi-sectoral coordination and response systems. Health sector response to GBV is the most available entry point in all contexts, which is primarily supported by UNFPA, but health facilities have been severely damaged, as well as their staff’s availability to provide services impacted by the cyclones. Mental health needs and protection of healthcare staff are also high priorities of the government for the disaster response. There is a Health Sector GBV SOP, with emergency components, in place for all of these contexts but limited staff traind and available to implement it. While Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have some CSO capacity for GBV case management, these actors and services are often not present in the remote locations, and when they are it is often a single staff member, who cannot manage the caseload, particularly during an emergency. FSM has one CSO that provides GBV services, but they are not trained in GBV case management and there are not functional referral pathways. None of the CSOs for these contexts have been trained in the Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies, or other core standards for a quality response.
Speedy response and recovery is imperative to save lives impacted by this combination of disasters and to maintain preparedness for other cyclone-related emergencies, still expected for the North Pacific until July.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Generally, Solomon Islands is safe with a minimum security threat rating and it is a family duty station. There are natural disaster threats, including Earthquakes and cyclones. Following the recent Earthquake, there is a new temporary UN office that has been security assessed as safe to be able to provide for UN staff and contractors assurances of a safe working space.
Under the overall supervision of UNFPA’s Gender and Human Rights Advisor, the surge staff will support coordination and the rapid implementation of the Recovery Plan for the set of emergencies, focused on the GBV in Emergencies response and recovery activities, as well as ensure ongoing preparedness for any new emergencies that may emerge. The staff will be located in Solomon Islands, but will contribute remote support to the other contexts. They may be requested to undertake missions to Vanuatu and FSM, pending funding availability.
The staff will support rapid programmatic implementation of UNFPA’s emergency response fund programm, and CERF and other Pacific pooled funding if it becomes available. They will support the Government and the UNFPA PSRO Humanitarian team GBV and SRH analysts to establish and implement programming on Health sector response to GBV, Women and Girl Safe Spaces, Dignity Kits, Referral mechanisms, GBV Case Management and GBV risk mitigation safety audit activities, in line with the inter-agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies, the inter-agency Guidelines for integration of GBV in Humanitarian Action (e.g. GBV guidelines), WHO guidelines and UNFPA’s standards and guidance, as well as the Sendai Framework principles of “Build Back Better.” They will promote and includes cross-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration between UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF,OCHA and UNW when needed, to ensure an inter-agency approach to programmatic implementation in line with UNFPA’s role as the lead of the Pacific GBV Sub-cluster and global Provider of Last Resort.
In support of coordination for preparedness, the staff will support the government and the WLO capacities (e.g. Solomon Island WLOs, Vanuatu Women’s Center, Chuuk Women’s Centre) to establish and maintain a functioning GBViE coordination mechanism, under the leadership of the government and in partnership with local NGOs, where possible. The role will include providing content and training for GBV sub-cluster meetings, or other GBV events and ensuring a functioning system for GBV actors to regularly contribute to the inter-agency 3/4/5Ws for emergencies and recovery activities, inter-sectoral advocacy, assessments, preparedness and contingency planning, resource mobilization and monitoring and evaluation, in alignment with the IASC six core cluster functions.
The staff will work to support robust planning and implementation of the UNFPA GBV programme in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, FSM and Fiji, contributing to the Pacific Humanitarian Team’s efforts to ensure a well-functioning GBV coordination mechanism that promotes the highest standards of GBV prevention and response across all agencies and actors, in line with global standards and the GBV Area of Responsibility.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The position will be based with UNFPA but with the expectation that the position will provide regular support to the relevant government agencies and CSOs.
GBV Coordination for Recovery and Preparedness
Strategic planning
- Support the government and CSOs to implement disaster response and consult and design recovery plans for the cyclone to restore and build back better GBV services.
- Support implementation of GBViE sub-cluster TORs, including consulting and drafting an annual sub-cluster Workplan and capacity building plan in support of the government lead agency.
Building inter-agency coordination and partnerships:
- Support establishment and/or strengthen inter-agency, multi-sectoral coordination efforts on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) facilitating co-leadership of the coordination mechanism by women-led organizations and UNFPA for recover and preparedness. Promote, respect and ensure that the Principles of Partnership are reflected in the day-to-day work of the GBV sub-cluster.
- Regularly represent GBV coordination mechanisms on any relevant meetings called by the Government and/or the UN, in coordination with government and CSO counterparts
- Proactively engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure GBV coordination mechanisms reflect the range of actors addressing GBV, including across multiple sectors (health, psychosocial, legal, security, etc.) and categories of actors (UN, NGO, civil society, WLOs government, etc.).
- Coordinate and collaborate with other sectors such as Health, Shelter, Education, Child Protection, etc. to ensure integration of GBV-related actions in their sectoral plans for recovery and preparedness, and to advocate for joint awareness-raising for non-GBV specialists. Including on PSEA.
- Advocate with donors and mobilize resources for inter-agency GBV prevention, mitigation and response in line with Protection and GBV sectoral plans for recovery and preparedness.
Information Management and M&E:
- Support ongoing and upcoming inter-agency and multi-sectoral and/or GBV specific Needs Assessments, availability and safe accessibility to prevention and response services, presence of referral pathways, and community-based protection networks.
- Support development of data collection tools ensuring safe and ethical data collection on GBV response services relevant to recovery and response efforts.
- In collaboration with national and international GBV actors, map current institutional response capacities and service providers.
Capacity development:
- Strengthen the technical capacity of GBV specialized service providers (health, psychosocial, security, etc.) and non-specialized sectors on preventing, mitigating and responding to GBV in emergencies and in recovery phases.
- Revise and adapt existing guidelines, tools and training materials according to local context and ensure partners’ access to relevant materials and training sessions.
GBV Programme for Recovery and Preparedness
Strategic planning
- Develop an “exit strategy” for Women Friendly Space programming and transition plan for continuity of post-emergency / recovery GBV response in consultation with stakeholders, including UN, government, CSOs and communities.
- Ensure the visibility of UNFPA as part of inter-agency collaboration through the local coordination mechanisms, including to highlight the Gender and Protection issues throughout programmatic implementation in recovery and preparedness.
Programme Development and implementation:
- Contribute to the development and inclusion of GBV prevention, mitigation and response efforts in UNFPA funding appeals and proposals for the GBV recovery and preparedness activities.
- Support and lead implementation of the UNFPA’s GBV programmatic interventions for emergency and recovery response, especially the Women Friendly Space, to expand multi-sectoral GBV services across various areas in collaboration with other GBV service providers and partners.
- Support the implementation of the Health response to GBV SOP and Regularly review and revisit SOPs at strategic points throughout the crisis response.
Information Management and M&E:
- Contribute to support GBV components of 3/4/5Ws for GBV for recovery and preparedness.
- Conduct or follow up on initial rapid needs assessments on GBV to identify and monitor the safety concerns of women and girls, identifying GBV risks, needs and gaps in service provision.
- Monitor and report on CERF(if received) and other funding implementation.
- If necessary, develop monthly report formats that capture relevant information and that support the analysis and evaluation of program progress and outcomes.
- Document best practices and approaches for responding to issues of GBV in order to deepen the knowledge base among relevant partners.
Capacity development:
- Develop technical capacity of UNFPA staff, government partners and implementing partners on UNFPA’s global mandate on GBViE and the Minimum Standards for prevention and response to GBV.
Advocacy
- Provide technical support to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents to address GBV in the context of broader gender inequality issues and for recovery in line with the Sendai Framework.
- Promote awareness of national laws and policies that inform action to address GBV.
Qualifications and Skills required:
- Advanced degree with specialization in areas such as social work, public health, gender, law/human rights, international relations, and/or other related social science disciplines.
- At least five (5) years of specialized experience addressing GBV at the international level; experience in this field in a humanitarian context an asset.
- Demonstrated awareness of core standards for addressing GBV in Emergencies and development/recovery.
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a multinational and multicultural environment.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt training and programming to local contexts in consultation with stakeholders.|
- Proved experience applying survivors-centred approach.
- Fluency in English compulsory.
- Previous experience working in the Pacific region is an asset.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.