Position Title: PSEA Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNICEF
P Level: P3
Location: Bunia, DRC
Duration: 3 months with the possibility of an extension
Language: French and English required 
 
La survenue inhabituelle de décès dans la Zone de Santé de Mongbwalu, en Province de l’Ituri, constitue une urgence de santé publique nécessitant une réponse rapide, intégrée et centrée sur les communautés affectées. Depuis début avril 2026, une augmentation significative des décès a été observée dans les formations sanitaires ainsi qu’au sein des communautés, avec l’apparition de clusters familiaux et de cas parmi le personnel de santé.

Au 13 mai 2026, un total de 55 décès intrahospitaliers et 45 décès communautaires ont été rapportés. Une augmentation préoccupante de la létalité hospitalière a également été observée, passant de 9 % en avril à 31 % en mai. Les signes cliniques rapportés incluent principalement la fièvre, les céphalées, les vomissements et, dans certains cas, des manifestations hémorragiques, évoquant une suspicion de maladie à potentiel épidémique, notamment une fièvre hémorragique virale. Les analyses préliminaires ont permis d’exclure plusieurs pathologies prioritaires, dont la maladie à virus Ebola, le choléra et la COVID-19, bien que l’étiologie exacte demeure à ce stade inconnu.

Cette situation intervient dans un contexte de forte vulnérabilité des populations, marqué par une psychose communautaire alimentée par les rumeurs et la désinformation, ainsi que par des insuffisances importantes en matière de prévention et contrôle des infections (PCI), de surveillance épidémiologique, de communication des risques et d’engagement communautaire (CREC), et de capacités opérationnelles des structures sanitaires.

Conformément à son mandat en matière de santé, nutrition, WASH, communication pour le développement et protection de l’enfant, l’UNICEF appuie le Ministère de la Santé Publique, Hygiène et Prévention dans la mise en œuvre d’une réponse multisectorielle visant à renforcer la surveillance épidémiologique, soutenir la prise en charge des cas, améliorer les capacités de PCI dans les structures de santé, et renforcer les interventions de communication et d’engagement communautaire afin de limiter la transmission et restaurer la confiance des populations affectées.
Dans ce contexte, l’UNICEF prévoit de renforcer sa présence opérationnelle sur le terrain à travers un appui technique, logistique et programmatique, afin de soutenir la coordination de la riposte, renforcer les capacités des équipes sanitaires et communautaires, et assurer la mise en œuvre efficace des interventions prioritaires dans les zones affectées. 
  ROLE PURPOSE: 
Under the supervision of the PSEA Manager, the PSEA Specialist, based in Bunia with travel across Ituri, North Kivu,and South Kivu, will support the implementation of the PSEA component of the Ebola response plan by strengthening accountability systems through innovative approaches and ensuring effective prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse. The role includes providing technical support to PSEA focal points, government counterparts, and CSO partners, while working closely with Child Protection for survivor assistance and the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) team for community engagement. The Specialist will represent UNICEF in field-level PSEA coordination mechanisms and ensure that interventions are adapted to the dual context of the Ebola outbreak and ongoing conflict. In the post-Ebola phase, the incumbent will contribute to integrating and sustaining PSEA efforts within recovery programming.


MAJOR DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Capacity building and risk mitigation

• Assist in continuous update, implementing and monitoring of the PSEA action plan and PSEA component of various response plans.
• Carry out capacity building on various subjects related to PSEA (core concepts, victim assistance, safe referrals etc) for UNICEF personnel and partners
• Support the multiplication and dissemination of contextualized awareness raising materials in collaboration with SBC
• Support SEA risk assessment of UNICEF partners being contracted for the response and ensure that all partners integrate PSEA in their interventions
• Contribute to gather data, evidence and eventually internal UNICEF reporting on SEA
• Carry out SEA/GBV risk analysis related to the response
• Support PSEA partners to develop their program documents and monitor the implementation of activities by partners

Interagency Collaboration

• The PSEA Specialist shall represent UNICEF at field level emergency coordination meetings on PSEA organised either by government or the inter-agency coordination
• They shall participate in UNICEF internal coordination meetings as well

Survivor assistance:

• In coordination with Child Protection Section and partners, support the implementation of survivor assistance.
• In collaboration with CP working group and GBV sub cluster, carry out a mapping of GBV services that are child friendly in the target locations
• Support and ensure the referral of all survivors for appropriate assistance.
• Monitor the quality of assistance and follow-up provided to survivors by UNICEF partners

Reporting and response to allegations

• Support the functioning of UNICEF’s reporting mechanisms in the areas of intervention
• Support the mapping of all existing complaint mechanisms in the areas of intervention
• In the context of the current emergency response and in collaboration with program sections and other stakeholders, assists in assessing and improving existing reporting and feedback mechanisms through community consultation and where necessary, support the development of new mechanisms as appropriate.
• Ensure that all allegations received are handled with confidentiality in line with existing protocols and SOPs.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• At least a master’s degree in social sciences: gender, development studies, human rights, psychology, social work, law, sociology, international law, or another relevant field …
• At least 5 years progressive professional experience in PSEA, GBViE, Protection, Safeguarding
• At least 2 years of working on PSEA or safeguarding is required in addition to other related experience such as GBViE or CPiE
• Experience working in humanitarian context is required
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to work independently
• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa and especially in the DRC is desired.
• Fluency in written and spoken French is required. English is desired.

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.