Programme Specialist (PSEA/Safeguarding), P-3, Fixed Term, DAPM, New York, USA

Unicef - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

New York, NY

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Programme Specialist (PSEA) at UNICEF plays a crucial role in enhancing the organization's safeguarding and protection efforts, particularly in relation to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) risk management. This position is situated within the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM), specifically under the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET). The PET is responsible for developing and implementing organization-wide policies, procedures, and tools that strengthen program effectiveness across various contexts, including safeguarding and risk management. The Programme Specialist will work closely with various divisions and regional offices, as well as with external partners, to ensure that UNICEF's programs are implemented in a manner that prioritizes the safety and rights of children. The primary responsibilities of the Programme Specialist include supporting the development and rollout of guidance and tools for safeguarding and SEA risk management, particularly in programs implemented with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government partners. This involves engaging with the UN interagency PSEA technical working group to promote harmonization and coordination on PSEA initiatives. The role also requires providing on-demand support to Country Offices, particularly in emergency situations, and contributing to global oversight and reporting on PSEA and safeguarding efforts related to implementing partners. The Programme Specialist will be instrumental in enhancing UNICEF's capacity to manage safeguarding risks effectively, ensuring that all programs adhere to the highest standards of child protection. This position requires a deep understanding of PSEA frameworks, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders to drive meaningful change in safeguarding practices across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Support the development, review/update and rollout of guidance, tools and systems to strengthen Safeguarding/SEA risk management in programs implemented with CSO and Government partners.
• Support the ongoing evolution of the Programme Implementation Procedure and related guidance, tools and system for SEA risk management, including capacity assessment, analysis and subsequent capacity strengthening and monitoring action for CSO partners.
• Support the review and the incorporation/integration of PSEA in the overarching Programme Implementation Procedure as well as other programme effectiveness tools and processes.
• Support enhancement of PSEA assurance, including through integration of PSEA in programme monitoring.
• Support harmonized approaches for risk management, with other risk management functions of the PET (Safeguarding, ESS, HACT, CFRM etc.) through optimizing risk/capacity assessment/analysis, capacity strengthening and monitoring.
• Represent UNICEF in proactively engaging with the UN interagency PSEA technical working group for improved UN wide harmonization and coordination on PSEA in partnerships.
• Support the development, testing and subsequent rollout of guidance/tools for managing Safeguarding/SEA risks in government partnerships.
• Lead UNICEF's engagement to define and enhance the PSEA component of digital tools, including in the UN Partnership Portal (UNPP).
• Document UNICEF lessons/best practices, access other agencies lessons and best practices and disseminate using effective approaches, including communities of practice etc.
• Support/participate and lead (as relevant) in global, regional and local level consultation/interaction with partners towards evolving PSEA with programme Implementation partners.
• Work closely with the Regional Offices and Programme Group (CP/PSEA) to identify and address challenges faced by country offices and PSEA coordination networks as relevant.
• Support PSEA in L2/L3 emergencies including through deployment, in coordination with DAPM, EMOPS and Programme Group.
• Provide coordinated support to CO, RO and HQ divisions, as required, in responding to Safeguarding/SEA allegations arising from UNICEF supported programmes, particularly involving CSO and Gov. partners.
• Serve as focal point to conduct verification of the Core Standards of PSEA assessment related to CSO SEA allegations, as required, based on escalation from country and regional offices.
• Support UNICEF Hosted Funds in SEA risk management with grantees, including the PSEA capacity process (assessment, capacity strengthening and monitoring).
• Support risk management of vendors and contractors, led by Supply Division, to define and strengthen approaches related to Safeguarding/PSEA, in UNICEF programming.
• Contribute to global indicator definition, analysis and reporting (internal and external) on PSEA (and wider Safeguarding, as relevant) concerning implementation partnership.
• Contribute to periodic analysis of information on the implementation status of the UN harmonized approach for PSEA.
• Support coordination/collaboration with other UNICEF HQ entities, in particular Programme Group, EMOPS, the Office of Internal Audit and Investigations and the Supply Division to ensure cross-collaboration on Safeguarding/PSEA.
• Participate in interdivisional Safeguarding/PSEA coordination.
• Perform other duties in support of global oversight and coordination.

Requirements

• An Advanced University Degree (Masters) in gender studies, international development, humanitarian affairs, human rights, international law, sociology, and/or any other relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience, preferably at both national and international levels, is required in implementing PSEA initiatives within programmes with a reputable international organization.
• Demonstrated experience supporting, advising and collaborating within public institutions on PSEA and safeguards.
• Practical experience in the field of SEA capacity assessment and capacity strengthening.
• Experience in capacity strengthening and rollout of procedures, tools and systems on PSEA.
• Excellent communication, inter-personal skills and skills in facilitation of online and face to face workshops, events and discussions.
• Familiarity with the UN system and global/inter-agency coordination structures (e.g. IASC) in PSEA.
• Experience working with the UN harmonized approach, familiarity with UNPP PSEA module, PSEA requirements of other agencies, donor requirements and conditionalities on PSEA is preferred.
• Ability to apply the PSEA framework/tools and risk informed approaches/flexibilities in different contexts and downstream partners.

Nice-to-haves

• Specialized training in Safeguarding or SEA is an asset.

Benefits

• Diverse opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Attractive compensation and benefits package.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Paid parental leave.
• Time off for breastfeeding purposes.
• Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.