Purpose of consultancy:
Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is a critical issue facing the UN system and aid partners and is the subject of a high level of commitment from the Secretary-General and the UNFPA Executive Director for UNFPA activities.
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) is a key concern in South Sudan. The conflict, economic hardship, food insecurity, limited access to basic social services, and the poor living conditions of the local population all combine to increase the vulnerability of the population to gender-based violence and survival sex. These, together with a large presence of peacekeepers and humanitarian workers in the country, have heightened the risks of SEA.
Given this background the UN established the PSEA National Task Force in South Sudan, which serves as the primary body for coordination and oversight on Protection from SEA committed by international and national personnel of the UN, NGOs and IGOs.
The PSEA Taskforce implements a PSEA strategy under the 4 pillars of:
- Engagement with and support of local populations;
- Prevention;
- Response systems and
- Management and coordination;
The Task Force works to put the rights and dignity of victims of SEA at the forefront of the prevention and response efforts and coordinate efforts with all entities of the UN system so that victims get the assistance and support they need.
In the past two years, over 60 victims / survivors of SEA have sought assistance from UN entities and the number of victims is growing as reports of SEA are received. UNFPA in liaison with the PSEA Taskforce, including the Senior Victim Rights Officer, developed a project funded by the Secretary-General Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The 12-month project, implemented by UNFPA serves members of communities affected or at risk of SEA. It provides, through existing gender-based violence (GBV) referral pathways and implementing partners, direct specialized services, including protection, psychosocial, medical, legal and income-
generating activities, for SEA victims and those in vulnerable situations in Rubkona, Malakal and Pibor.
The project aims to increase awareness within the community through a range of activities conducted with the Community-based Complaint Networks (CBCNs), including training CBCNs on raising awareness about SEA and reporting SEA allegations. The objective is to reduce stigma and fear of retaliation against victims.
UNFPA is looking for an international consultant, PSEA/GBV Specialist, to support the implementation of the Trust Fund project in South Sudan and to support UNFPA PSEA activities at national and sub-national level. The consultant will be based in South-Sudan, Juba, and will travel to project locations.
Scope of work
Under the direct supervision of the South Sudan Office Representative and support from Humanitarian Response Analyst / PSEA Focal Point, the consultant will support the following activities:
Management of the Trust Fund project in support of victims of SEA and communities at risk, including GBV services programming in women and girls’ friendly spaces; strengthening the capacity of the project implementing partners to understand, identify and report SEA; strengthening CBCNs in the project locations to enhance risk mitigation, identification, and reporting; monitoring and reporting on project implementation
Support to UNFPA PSEA activities and network of subnational field coordinators to identify, assess and mitigate risks of SEA; support to UNFPA IP PSEA assessment
Enhance the capacity of UNFPA South Sudan Country Office staff to prevent and respond to SEA; and
Participation in the PSEA Task Force meetings and activities
Duration
The consultancy will be for a total of maximum 40 working days in the period between 1 November to 31 December 2022.
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience
Demonstrated experience in the field of protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, gender, gender-based violence, GBV programming, and/or safeguarding
Advanced university degree in one of the following disciplines: Law, Education, Public Health, Sociology, Gender (including GBV), International Development, Public Administration, Business Management or related field.
A first level university degree with a combination of relevant education, training or experience in a relevant field may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
Previous relevant experience in the UN and humanitarian context is highly desirable.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Fluency in English is required, working knowledge of other UN official languages desired.
Other relevant information or special conditions
The consultant will be tasked by the UNFPA South Sudan Humanitarian Analyst / PSEA focal point. All work products, both electronic and hard copy, produced by the consultant as a result of this engagement are owned by UNFPA and shall be submitted to UNFPA as per agreed upon deadlines.
The consultant will be based in Juba with travel expected in Rubkona, Malakal and Pibor and other localities as needed. Travel services will be procured directly by UNFPA according to the UNFPA applicable travel policy for consultants. DSA (Daily Subsistence Allowance) and terminal fees will be reimbursed using the prevailing UNFPA Duty Travel Policy terms and rates. Travel time is not considered working time; hence, no concepts other than DSA will be paid for the consultant’s travel time.
How to Apply
Please send your application and a short letter of motivation with "PSEA/GBV Specialist – International Consultant" in the subject to UNFPA South Sudan email, ssco.vacancies@unfpa.org before close of business (COB) on 25th October 2022
