Log In
Sign Up
Applications have closed
UNICEF Burkina Faso is hiring! We are seeking a Programme Specialist (PSEA). Under the overall supervision of Representative, the programme Specialist (PSEA) is responsible for overseeing and supporting the collective PSEA activities of organizations in Burkina Faso Country Office.
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, an advocate
Given the seriousness of the concerned issues globally as well as in Burkina Faso and need for tangible changes to UNICEF’s approach within a short period of time, it is necessary to have a dedicated specialist who supports the Representative to make the concerned decisions; plan, drive and track priority actions; and establish a clear system to pursue the PSEA and Prohibition of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority as part of the day-to-day operation of UNICEF Burkina Faso Country Office.The incumbent of this post will help identify and capacitate focal points on PSEA and Prohibition of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority in workplace and let them “shadow” her or his activities so that they can continue to perform the concerned responsibilities on a sustainable basis after the phase-out of the post in December 2024.
How can you make a difference?
Under the overall supervision of Representative, the programme Specialist (PSEA) is responsible for overseeing
and supporting the collective PSEA activities of organizations in Burkina Faso.
1. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
a. Advise the Representative in implementation and monitoring of UNICEF’s global frameworks and strategies for the PSEA.
b. Develop a comprehensive plan to establish a clear system and process Child Safeguarding/PSEA for UNICEF Burkina Faso Country Office as part of its day-to-day work on sustainable basis and drive and monitor its implementation. The plan should contain the following elements among others.
Analysis of the current situation along with the implementation of Child Safeguarding/PSEA/Safeguarding risk assessment to inform strategic decision-making.
Response mechanisms to ensure that UNICEF and partner agencies/organizations have investigation and reporting procedures in place, along with assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Development of outreach and sensitization on Child Safeguarding/PSEA/Safeguarding in the communities.
Development and implementation of a Community Based Complaints Mechanism on Child Safeguarding/PSEA/Safeguarding.
Implementation of prevention activities to raise awareness of UNICEF staff and related personnel of partner agencies/organizations participating in the UNCT and IASC Country Team and their partners.
Capacity building including a delivery of training to Child Safeguarding/PSEA/Safeguarding Focal Points and staff from humanitarian organizations
The specialist will not replace or substitute regular systems for reporting and investigation of misconduct but will channel communications to the Representative as the Head of the Office while maintaining appropriate confidentiality
c. Coordinate closely with the cluster coordinators, sections and field offices of UNICEF Burkina Faso Country Office for the pursuance of the above.
d. Establish a systematized approach to UNICEF’s engagement on PSEA with external stakeholders (implementing partners, donors and UN agencies) to enhance the response.
e. Coordinate closely with the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) that UNICEF CO-Lead to contribute to the strengthening of PSEA at the inter-agency level based on the previous experiences on different topics such as Community Based Complaints Mechanism on SEA; training PSEA Focal Points and staff from humanitarian organizations; support the development of interagency responses to problems that become evident.
f. Support actions to convene and listen to recommendations of staff and other affected parties for enhanced and accelerated response to the issues of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority in workplace.
2. Support appropriate reporting and response SEA allegations.
The specialist will maintain centralized information on all elements of the enhanced and accelerated response for PSEA and PDHSHAA in collaboration with the relevant sections, field offices and PSEA/PDHSHAA focal points.
Support and advise the Head of Office on the reporting of Child Safeguarding/PSEA allegations through the internal Notification Alert.
Receive complaints and reports about alleged Child Safeguarding/PSEA/Safeguarding (from staff, partners, community members and others);
Ensure that all information pertaining to complaints is handled and referred strictly in line with agreed protocols: the internal UNICEF Notification Alert and inter-agency information sharing procedure agreed with the PSEA Task Force.
Ensure that information gathered on Child Safeguarding/PSEA/Safeguarding allegation is verified and whistle-blowers and alleged victims are interviewed in line with the interviewing protocols.
Immediately refer victims to appropriate service providers so that they receive the medical, psychosocial, legal and material support they may need.
In coordination with the Child Protection Specialist, ensure that child survivors of Child Safeguarding/SEA/Safeguarding violations access assistance and support.
In coordination with the Child Protection Specialist, monitor the quality of assistance and follow up provided to survivors of Child Safeguarding/SEA/Safeguarding violations by UNICEF partners.
Work with the Child Protection team to define the modality for monitoring the assistance provided to child Child Safeguarding/SEA/Safeguarding violations survivors by service providers (other than UNICEF implementing partners).
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
A minimum of [8 years] of relevant professional experience inin design, implementation and management of protection or GBV programming and PSEA actions, 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 systems. - 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.
- Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset..
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
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.
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.
Remarks:
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.
