Post Date: Oct 23, 2024

Closing Date: Nov 05, 2024

Reference: WHOAFG-2024-10-26

Number of Vacancies: 1

Salary Range: As per company salary scale

Years of Experience: 5 years

Probation Period: 3 month

Contract Type: Contractor

Contract Duration: 1 year

Contract Extensible: Maybe

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Gender: Any

About World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the technical and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership in global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical and implementation support and monitoring and assessing health trends. In Afghanistan, WHO works to improve the health and well-being of all Afghans by preventing and reducing mortality, morbidity and disability and strengthening health services in close coordination with national and international partners.

Job Summary

Purpose for the Job 

The Programme Specialist will be based in Kabul and will provide both technical and strategic support to the entire WHO operation in Afghanistan. This position operates under the direction of the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct Coordinator and is aligned with WHO’s Health Emergency Response framework, as well as its policies and strategies designed to prevent and address sexual misconduct. The Programme Specialist will play a key role in facilitating the swift implementation and execution of WHO’s Prevention and response to sexual misconduct (PRS) risk assessment and country PRS action plan. Furthermore, the specialist will work on strengthening the capabilities of WHO staff, partners, and frontline workers. Additionally, the specialist will be key in coordinating efforts among various sectors/sections and members of the PRS taskforce, including PSEA Focal Points from the Health Cluster and implementing partners, along with the Afghanistan PSEA network.

Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on the intricacy and difficulty of working environment):

Under the direct supervision of Prevention of and Response to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PRSEAH) Coordinator, and over all guidance of the Operations Officer for WHO Afghanistan.

Duties & Responsibilities

PSEAH technical support to the Afghanistan Country Office:

• Work closely with the PRS Coordinator to implement and report on the activities outlined in the Country PRS Action Plan.

• To implement and collaborate initiatives between WHO and the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network

• Collaborate with the PRS Coordinator and Health Emergency teams to contribute to the PRS risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and capacity building plans at both the national level and for emergency response programs.

• Work closely with the PRS Coordinator to provide PRS technical guidance for implementing prevention and response measures during programming phases.

• To guide implementing partners in carrying out activities related to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

• Provide technical guidance on PRS implementation in WHO Programs and Operations

• Advocate for and guarantee the comprehensive execution of the Health Cluster’s PSEA Action Plan.

• Participate and provide inputs for the development of PRS proposals and support the mainstreaming of PRS in WHO programs and processes

Capacity building and systems strengthening on PRSEAH

• To identify capacity gaps of Implementing partners in preventing and responding to Sexual exploitation abuse and Harassment (SEAH)

• Define a risk mitigation strategy for partners, including a comprehensive plan for capacity-building Capacity development of WHO personnel on PRS to ensure they understand their responsibilities and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations.

• Building Health Cluster and Implementing Partners capacity on PSEA to create a unified approach to implementing PSEA measures.

• Empowering communities through awareness programs enables them to recognize their rights and report any incidents of exploitation or abuse effectively.

• Training of emergency health teams on PRS protocols to ensure immediate action is taken if any issues arise during their operations.

• To develop sustainable internal capacity to adequately manage risks of sexual misconduct in implementing partners, including risk identification, PRS capacity building and monitoring.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Determine effective strategies for incorporating PRS in WHO programs and promote the exchange of knowledge at the program and office level

• Gather insights from various stakeholders, including implementing partners, and compile evaluation data to formulate lessons learned regarding PRS for the Country Office.

• Document lessons learned, experiences and case studies from implementation to inform capacity development trainings as well as address gaps and refine procedures and processes

PRS Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor compliance of WHO and implementing partners on PRS

• Undertake site visits during project execution and operation to assess how PSEA mitigation measures are succeeding or have succeeded in minimizing impacts.

• Undertake follow up monitoring to ensure that proposed PSEA risk mitigation measures are implemented as per plan

• Provide PRS technical support to the program and result-based monitoring and evaluation.

Job Requirements

Education/Experience /Language Requirements

Education

Essential:

• A first level university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Gender Studies, social sciences.

Experience

•  A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in design, implementation, and management of Sexual exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, Safeguarding and Accountability to Affected People (AAP), or Protection and GBV programming, preferably with the UN and/or international NGO.
• Demonstrated experience of working directly with women and children who are survivors of violence and can demonstrate and impart an understanding of a survivor-centered approach within SEAH framework.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating PSEA trainings, in particular capacity-building, and communication materials to promote behavior change
• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external partners
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts especially Health emergencies in the context of Afghanistan
• Familiarity with the latest development in PSEA, inter-agency PSEA responses and humanitarian cluster system is an advantage.
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.  Experience within the UN system and amongst Health partners, including Health Cluster partners, INGOs, and communities.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills are highly desired.
• Experience and understanding of how survivor centered principles are applied within reporting structures and processes
• Familiarity with data protection and confidentiality measures is highly desired.

Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Knowing and managing yourself

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Integrity, objectivity, and professional competence
• Strong communication, facilitation, and inter-personal skills
• Effective time-management skills
• Strong capacity to embrace cultural diversity and sensitivity to gender issues
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure constant data protection
• Ability to work in a stressful environment

Languages

• Fluency in English and knowledge of the local languages is required

IT Skills

·        Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.

Submission Guideline

Interested applicants meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit their applications quoting this Vacancy Announcement Number (WHOAFG-2024-10-26 with their curriculum vitae along with cover letter and National ID (Tazkira) to below mentioned email: emacoafgvacancies@who.int

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW AND TEST.

ANY APPOINTMENT/EXTENSION OF APPOINTMENT IS SUBJECT TO WHO STAFF REGULATIONS, STAFF RULES AND MANUAL.

WHO is a smoke free Environment.

Contract type, level and duration

– Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

– Contract level: LICA-10 (equivalent to NO-C)

– Contract duration: Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Additional Information

WHO has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, inaction against it and any form of retaliation against victims/survivors or bystanders who disclose, report, or participate in an investigation. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence, thorough background checks and reference check processes. This will ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded from abusers and that abusers are prevented from joining WHO Afghanistan office. Please report any concerning information regarding sexual exploitation and abuse by WHO workforce and partners to WHO office of Internal Oversight services at investigations@who.int.

WHO’s Commitment to “Do No Harm”

Vision Statement

The World Health Organization (WHO) is dedicated to ensuring that no harm comes to the individuals we are responsible for serving, nor to those with whom we collaborate in the provision of health services. This commitment is particularly crucial in emergency situations where many individuals are at their most vulnerable.

Zero Tolerance Policy

WHO maintains a strict zero tolerance policy regarding any form of misconduct, including sexual misconduct and any failure to act against it. This encompasses not only sexual misconduct itself but also any retaliation against individuals who report such incidents or participate in investigations related to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Trust and Human Rights

Sexual misconduct represents a significant breach of the trust and confidence that is placed in WHO, its personnel, and its partners. Such behavior undermines the human rights, values, and principles that WHO upholds. The organization prioritizes the rights and protection of those affected by sexual misconduct as central elements of its strategies for prevention and response.

Definition of Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct includes all actions defined as sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. These behaviors violate the ethical standards expected from WHO and compromise the integrity of its mission.