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.
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For every child, a HERO!
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) are unacceptable breaches of fundamental human rights and a deep betrayal of UNICEF’s core values. The sexual exploitation and abuse of those who depend on UNICEF for assistance runs counter to all our personal and organizational values. It is unconscionable, it is intolerable, and it is often criminal. Equally intolerable is the sexual harassment of our fellow aid workers.
Working closely with partners and communities, UNICEF has significantly stepped up its fight against SEA and SH. This work is informed by, and taking place in tandem with, the work of related actors including the broader UN system, donors, and civil society organizations.
The core UN principles on SEA have been incorporated into a zero tolerance policy, as outlined in the Secretary-General’s Bulletin (On 9 October 2003 on Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse SGB/2003/13 - ST/SGB/2003/13). The Secretary-General’s Bulletin serves as a Code of Conduct on SEA for UN staff and related personnel. It prohibits the exchange of money, employment, assistance, goods or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitive conduct. The policy further prohibits sexual activities with persons under the age of 18 regardless of the age of majority or consent locally.
UNICEF Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) acknowledges the complexity and limitation to UNICEF’s authority in relation to SEA perpetrated by implementing partner personnel, including Government personnel. However, it does include measures to address and prevent these violations including supporting partners to fully integrate Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) into national programs in both development and humanitarian contexts, creating a joined-up accountability culture that abhors, sanctions and prevents SEA and protects victims.
Pakistan's context, defined by a "poly-crisis" encompassing severe economic hardship, political instability, climate vulnerability, and a rapidly expanding young population, directly shapes UNICEF's strategic objectives: to drive transformative results in human capital development, enhance climate resilience, strengthen child protection, and influence upstream fiscal policies and governance for social and digital inclusion, all through a differentiated programming focusing on provinces .Within this framework, the PSEA position, plays a critical enabling role, establishing and enforcing robust safeguarding mechanisms to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse by UNICEF personnel and partners. This function is foundational to the overall operational integrity and ethical conduct of all programs, ensuring a safe environment for vulnerable beneficiaries and fostering the trust essential for effective direct service delivery and policy engagement, thereby accelerating the broader programmatic shift towards realizing every child's rights in Pakistan.
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative Programme, D1, the Programme Specialist (PSEA) will be responsible for implementation of the new Safeguarding Policy, the PSEA Strategy and Action Plan to benefiting UNICEF Pakistan programme implementation and closely engage with the UN interagency PSEA network established under RC/ HC and the UNCT. Within the context of the inter-agency response and the UNCT/HCT PSEA Strategy and Action Plan, the PSEA Specialist will be required to support UNICEF’s contribution to the inter-agency PSEA work including specific deliverables and responsibilities that UNICEF holds within the PSEA Network and Action Plan.
Additionally, the Programme Specialist (Safeguarding/PSEA) will be responsible to advise PCO Senior Management in fulfilling UNICEF’s commitment that involves institutionalizing SEA prevention and response across offices, field sites and operations. The Programme Specialist will be responsible for supporting the country-wide implementation of Safeguarding/PSEA, including technical support to UNICEF Field Offices. This includes working closely across all programme sections and cross-sectoral teams, to support acceleration of Safeguarding/PSEA around core programmatic priorities, including safe and accessible reporting, survivor-centered assistance and accountability, as elements of an overall preventative approach.
The Programme Specialist (Safeguarding/PSEA) will also conduct Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) related assignments in accordance with the UNICEF PSEA Strategy and recently amended / updated UNICEF safeguarding policy in Pakistan. The Programme Specialist work is crucial to strengthening PCO’s efforts to ensure UNICEF’s Safeguarding/PSEA Vision is achieved – and this is “realizing the right of individuals and communities that UNICEF and its partners serve to access the protection and assistance they need without fear of sexual exploitation and abuse; the right of UNICEF staff members and related personnel to feel supported, respected and empowered to deliver assistance in an environment free from sexual harassment; and the right of survivors of SEA and SH to access timely and confidential investigation and effective and safe assistance and support.
Based on the shifts of programme focus which includes an integrated approach to work with frontline workers, the Programme Specialist (Safeguarding/PSEA) will work closely with programme leads to ensure the objectives of providing a safe space for frontline workers is achieved aligned AAP and SBC interventions.
How can you make a difference?
1. Prevention, Capacity building and technical support, coordination
2. Engagement with and support of the affected population
3. Lead the institutionalization of UNICEF Procedure for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) into UNICEF internal procedures, protocols and systems
4. Support the strengthening of response systems
5. Inter-agency PSEA Network coordination and response to SEA
6. Supporting Appropriate Reporting and Response of SEA allegations and other Serious Safeguarding Concerns
7. Survivor assistance
8. Knowledge Management and Information Sharing
9. Manage and safeguard funds allocated to PSEA
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
PSEA P3 JD.docx
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education requirements: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in social work, social sciences, political science, law, human rights law or another relevant field.
Experience required: A minimum 5 years of work experience from a humanitarian setting with relevant professional experience in the field of sexual exploitation and abuse, protection, gender-based violence, staff misconduct and discipline, gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs.
Language requirements: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables:
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
- Experience of working in developing countries and international development is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or language of the duty station is an asset.
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
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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 females 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.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
