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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference? 

The Programme Specialist (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)) will be based in Kabul and provide technical and strategic support to entire UNICEF Afghanistan across the country under supervision of International Programme Specialist (PSEA) P4.

Within the context the emergency response and the HCT PSEA framework, ACO has identified the following significant needs related to robust protection against sexual exploitation and abuse:

1. Further accelerate the PSEA implementation across the country.
2. Strengthening capacity in PSEA of UNICEF staff, partners, and frontline workers.
3. institutionalizing PSEA mechanisms more solidly across sectors and within the organization.
4. Strengthen the internal and external reporting mechanism to assure confidential and accessible channel for staff and beneficiaries.
5. Strengthen the accountability to be able to respond to the SEA through prompt and appropriate survivor assistance as well as verification/investigative process.

To fulfill this commitment, the Programme Specialist (PSEA) NOC will support the International Programme Specialist (PSEA) P4 to implement UNICEF Afghanistan Office's Action Plan on PSEA which focuses on enhancing UNICEF staff and partners' capacity to prevent and respond to SEA; supporting the country office in managing and respond to the case of SEA; and coordinating with different sectors/sections and PSEA Focal Points of related organizations;  supporting partners to implement internal complaints and investigation procedures; support the Technically support in strengthening complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM) and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) ; representing UNICEF in PSEA coordination forums including the Afghanistan PSEA Network; together with SBC, Communication and related sectors, and in liaison with the PSEA network, develop awareness raising materials for UNICEF office and partners.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support Afghanistan Country Office PSEA Action Plan implementation

• Review of existing internal reporting mechanisms to support UNICEF Afghanistan in strengthening its PSEA risk mitigation and complaints handling mechanism in line with UNICEF and international best practice standards.
• Technically support Field Offices and Programme that PSEA workplan is operationalized at all levels and with all sectors.
• Technically support International PSEA Programme Specialist as well as FCO/Programmes to make effective IEC materials in all UNICEF-supported sites.
• Acting as back-up PSEA focal point for the provinces when needed.

2. Support Appropriate Reporting and response of SEA allegations.

• Support and advise the International Programme Specialist (PSEA) P4 on the reporting of SEA allegations through facilitating collection of information, translation, advice in culturally appropriateness in managing the case.
• Receive complaints and reports about alleged SEA (from staff, partners, community members and others).
• Be the focal point for the established reporting mechanism for PSEA hotline, GRM as well as UNICEF’s complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM) established in the different intervention/programmes

3. Capacity Building in PSEA

• Revise and develop PSEA related training materials in local languages.
• Deliver mandatory training for all staff of UNICEF, Implementing Partners as well as contractors (including 3rd party HR company hired personnel, suppliers as well as contractors).
• Deliver capacity building training and consultation for different sectors/staff in order to make sure PSEA is integrated into different sectors’ intervention.
• Technically support Implementing Partners to build organizational PSEA capacity in line with mandatory PSEA assessment using UN Common Tool and UNPP.
• Supporting partners to have PSEA policies and structures in place, aligned with international standards and UNICEF systems; consulting and following up with partners on codes of conduct and safeguarding policies (including beyond PSEA) and risk mitigation plans including technical review and support as required by partners.
• Provide technical support concerning appropriate prevention and risk mitigation strategies in programme proposal as well as partnership agreement/programme documents.
• Technically support UNICEF’s Implementing Partners to appropriately respond to SEA case when their staff/personnel are involved, including reporting obligation, protection measure for survivors, facilitation of survivor assistance as well as investigative process.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• Alternatively, a first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in design, implementation, and management of PSEA, Safeguarding and Accountability to Affected People (AAP), or Protection and GBV programming, preferably with the UN and/or international NGO.
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts. Familiarity with the latest development in PSEA, inter-agency PSEA responses and humanitarian cluster system is advantage.
• Excellent communication skills. Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions.
• Excellent facilitation, training, networking and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English in addition to good commands of both Dari and Pashto is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.