National PSEA Officer - NOA- Temporary Appointment - Damascus, Syria

The Position:

This position will report administratively to UNFPA and will be under the direct supervision of the Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Coordinator (Damascus). The successful candidate will support the implementation of the PSEA Programme in Syria. In close coordination with PSEA specialists deployed in each hub, the National PSEA Officer will assist in administering activities carried out by partners, with the overall responsibility of ensuring that activities consistently meet programme objectives and UNFPA standards. S/he will support and maintain the PSEA Network and necessary administrative structures and inter-agency processes.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA s seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The protracted conflict in Syria has exposed large portions of the population to devastating humanitarian conditions. Ten years into the crisis, over 13 million people are still in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including 6.5 million internally displaced. With large-scale population displacements, increased poverty levels and limited livelihood options, the most affected communities are highly dependent on humanitarian aid. Moreover, the social fabrics and support systems have been severely disrupted, leading to limited individual and community capacities to address protection risks and incidents.

Since its initiation by the Syria Strategic Steering Group in 2017, the Whole of Syria (WoS) Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Programme has supported the interagency humanitarian response in the joint implementation of international PSEA commitments. Through an established, robust interagency PSEA Network with hubs in Northwest (NWS), Northeast (NES), and South & Central Syria (Damascus), consisting of more than 140 UN agencies, International Non-Governmental Organization (INGOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the programme strives to decrease the risk of crisis‐affected communities experiencing incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by humanitarian workers and provide technical and operational support to humanitarian actors to prevent and respond to SEA cases.

Within the framework of the Whole of Syria (WoS) humanitarian response, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recently been tasked to take on inter-agency responsibilities for the WoS Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) network.

You would be responsible for:

A. Effective implementation of the PSEA programme:

• Support the development and implementation of PSEA interventions to set up and scale up PSEA prevention and response and community engagement mechanisms in the humanitarian response and regular programming.
• Promote engagement of relevant humanitarian actors including government actors, UN agencies, and National and International Organizations
• Support the development of key messages and advocacy notes to promote consistent communications that emphasize the importance of upholding PSEA standards in a crisis-affected context.
• Ensure collaboration and coordination with the PSEA Network coordinators in Northeast and Northwest Syria. 

B. Strengthen capacity of PSEA across programmes, networks and organizations:

• Support advocacy, networking and capacity building for the adoption and scale up of PSEA principles and approaches.
• Support the development and implementation of a strategy for effective communications with affected populations on PSEA information and services, risk mitigation strategies, and to promote gender equality.
• Support access to essential trainings related to PSEA for UN agencies, implementing partners and front line staff. 
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to partners on PSEA training programmes and curriculum.
   

C. Data management, monitoring and reporting:

• Monitor the project’s progress and assess capacity gaps that hinder quality and/or coverage of PSEA interventions. 
• Document and evaluate results, increase effectiveness, and recommend appropriate actions. 
• Establish/maintain a system for information sharing and dissemination, support data management ensuring safe and ethical practices, evidence generation, documentation, and monitoring of PSEA in South and Central Syria. 
• Support timely reporting, including all financial, narrative requirements, and ensure regular and proactive coordination with the UNFPA Regional Response Hub  and donors in close coordination with the PSEA Coordinator WoS
• Prepare standard periodic reports and progress updates for the UNHCT, OCHA SitReps, Humanitarian Bulletins, Protection Advisories, humanitarian updates, UNFPA internal and external meetings and advocacy, etc.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by the PSEA Coordinator in coordination with UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree with a specialization in areas such as gender studies, humanitarian affairs, human rights, law, social sciences, development studies, international relations, and/or related social science fields. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of protection, safeguarding, child protection and/or gender-based violence, with experience in programme/ project management.  
• Relevant professional experience in the data support management systems and financial management is desired. 
• Strong organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment respecting diversity of work teams. 
• Experience working in humanitarian emergencies with International Organisations.
• Experience working on inter-agency coordination is an advantage. 
• Ability to use analytical tools and logic to gather, define information, situations, problems, and draw logical conclusions to the data.
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills.  

Languages: 

Fluency in English and Arabic. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Delivering results-oriented programs
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and Information

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.