In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
UNDP’s mission as part of the UN system is to achieve sustainable development and fight poverty wherever it is greatest. This requires the very best of us, world-class collaboration, innovative thinking, resilient-based strategies and continuous learning. UNDP is strongly committed to upholding UN values and strictly prohibits all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse in relation to the populations we serve (collectively referred to as sexual misconduct). The UNDP corporate Strategy and Action Plan on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) prioritizes four key areas: accountability, prevention, reporting and response, and support for victims and survivors.
The UNDP corporate Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment ( PSEAH) Task Force oversees the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan. A cornerstone of these efforts is the establishment of robust internal systems to ensure a diligent, appropriate, and sensitive response to incidents of sexual misconduct, with the rights and protection of victims, survivors, and affected individuals placed firmly at the center of UNDP’s response (victim centered approach)
A critical element of UNDP’s PSEAH victim-centered approach (VCA) is the role of the Victim Support Specialist to provide individualized support to those who report sexual misconduct or who experience gender-based violence. The Victim Support Specialist serves as a key point of contact for victims of both sexual harassment (SH) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), offering confidential, empathetic, and professional assistance in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner. The Victim Support Specialist ensures that victims’ voices are heard, respected, and prioritized throughout the reporting and complaints process. The Victim Support Specialist contributes to UNDP ‘s overall commitment to maintain a safe, ethical and supportive environment where sexual misconduct is not tolerated, and where all personnel feel respected, protected, and empowered to report concerns and seek support.
The post holder will be a member of UNDP’s core team on the prevention of sexual misconduct, based in the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) Directorate, and will report to the Programme Advisor, PSEAH who is the Global Focal Point for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct. The post holder will collaborate closely with UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations, Ethics Office, Office of Legal Services, and Office of Human Resources, all of which play critical roles in addressing and managing incidents of sexual misconduct. The post holder will undertake duty travel as required.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
- Lead the development of a comprehensive victim-centered, trauma-informed response strategy and action plan for victims of sexual harassment (SH) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). This strategy should enhance victims’ choices, recognize their strengths, and ensure efficient triage with various support services available both within and outside UNDP.
- Provide advice and guidance on the development of relevant policies, guidelines, SOPs, investigation templates, communication materials, training modules, and other tools to ensure alignment with a victim-centered approach across the organization.
- In coordination with relevant stakeholders, develop a process to strengthen UNDP’s capacity to analyze risks and identify trends related to sexual misconduct. This includes contributing to the creation of a system that alerts offices to potential patterns of misconduct, to prompt timely action.
- Lead on the design and implementation of initiatives that promote awareness of UNDP’s strategies, policies and relevant guidelines on the victim centered approach
- Ensure relevant principles and standards (eg the UN Protocol on the Provision of Assistance to Victims of SEA) are mainstreamed in relevant policies and procedures as appropriate.
- Design and deliver training sessions and implement learning interventions to raise awareness on the victim centred approach for existing and new personnel, and partners as required.
- Design and develop guidance materials and other resources on the victim centred approach including specifically with the PSEAH Focal Points in Country Offices
- Provide guidance and advice to all Managers, Project Officers, Human Resources staff, and other UNDP personnel on safely and ethically responding to incidents of sexual misconduct in a manner that protects victims and ensures confidentiality and informed consent.
- Contribute to efforts to enhance a speak-up culture across UNDP that nurtures up-stander actions and discourages bystander attitudes.
- Upon request, serve as a support person during the formal investigation and accountability processes to ensure that UNDP’s complaint handling processes apply a victim centered approach. This includes:
assessing victim-related needs and risks;
- offering confidential guidance on procedures and available services;
- supporting victims in decision-making processes; liaising with other services involved in the response to incidents of sexual misconduct;
- Working closely with the PSEAH Focal Points, support Country Offices in establishing and strengthening a victim centered approach including:
- identifying and mapping locally available services for victims, ensuring that referral pathways are widely circulated and accessible across all UNDP country offices and to all personnel globally.
- Establishing, monitoring and strengthening safe, gender sensitive and victim centered complaints and feedback mechanisms.
- Refer sexual misconduct victims to relevant local services upon request and in accordance with established protocol.
- Establish and maintain a confidential and/or anonymous reference group of victims who consent to provide input into various initiatives that UNDP is developing, oversee research projects and other feedback initiatives to gather the perspectives and recommendations of victims.
- Draft briefings and contribute to speeches and materials to aid in advocating the importance of the victim centered approach.
- Contribute to Executive Board (EB) reports and related briefings and talking points to support EB discussions on the victim centered approach.
- Support development of relevant M&E frameworks; data collection tools and support report writing
- Gather data and report on the implementation of the victim centered approach to inform corporate reporting requirements.
- Track trends in victim reporting and utilize this data to inform policy or process improvements.
- Monitor progress of VCA activities within the organization and provide support where gaps have been identified in form of reports and updates to leadership teams.
- Represent UNDP in relevant interagency working groups and other formal and informal meetings – internally and externally - on issues related to a victim centered approach, providing technical inputs as required
- Build internal and external networks on issues related to the victim centered approach to strengthen implementation of UNDP’s approach
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
- Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Work, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; Counselling; Psychology; Psychotherapy or other relevant field or other relevant Social Sciences is required. Or
- Minimum of 7 years’ experience (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience case management, preferably involving victims of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse is required.
- Proven experience in prevention and response to sexual harassment in the workplace or sexual exploitation and abuse is required.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and respect cultural differences when working with victims from diverse backgrounds is desired.
- At least 3 years of experience working on SEAH in developing country contexts including working directly with victims of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse is required.
- Experience in designing and delivering learning strategies, capacity-building programs, and training sessions related to victim-centered approaches or similar programs is required.
- Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions and incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making processes is desired.
- Strong global mindset with the demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment is desired.
- A proven track record of delivering impactful results in programs aimed at safeguarding the rights and dignity of victims of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse within a global organization, including the development and implementation of strategies and action plans is desired.
- Fluency in English is required.
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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