Post Date: Oct 13, 2024

Closing Date: Oct 16, 2024

Reference: WHOAFG-2024-09-23 (Re – advertise)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Salary Range: As per company salary scale

Years of Experience: 1 year

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

Overview of the Program and Position

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Emergency Programme in Afghanistan has broadened its approach to integrate initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) within the emergency health response framework. This is particularly crucial given the ongoing high risk of SEAH due to the prevailing context and the extended involvement of various partners in vulnerable communities.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual misconduct and inaction against sexual misconduct, and for any form of retaliation against those who report, or participate in an investigation of, allegations of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is an abuse of the trust and confidence placed in WHO, its staff and collaborators, and it disregards the human rights, values, and principles for which WHO stands for. The rights and protection of those who experience sexual misconduct are central to the Organization’s prevention and response to sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct encompasses all behavior characterized as sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment.

The Program Officer will therefore be instrumental in strengthening initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing sexual misconduct, particularly within the WHO Health Emergencies working closely with the PRS Country Coordinator to mitigate SEAH risks in programs and operations.

In line with WHO policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct, the (Prevention of and Response to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Misconduct) PRSEAH Officer will offer comprehensive assistance to the WHO office in Afghanistan in its initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Duties & Responsibilities

PSEAH technical support to the Afghanistan Country Office:

• Work closely with the PRSEAH Focal Coordinator to implement and report on the activities outlined in the Country PRSEAH Action Plan.
• Assist in implementing collaborative initiatives between WHO and the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network
• Collaborate with the PRSEAH Coordinator and Health Emergency teams to contribute to the PRSEAH risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and capacity building plans at both the national level and for emergency response programs.
• Work closely with the PRSEAH Coordinator to provide PRSEAH technical guidance for implementing prevention and response measures during programming phases.
• facilitate the distribution of PRSEAH awareness communication materials to field offices, project sites, contractors, and implementing partners
• Assist implementing partners in carrying out activities related to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
• Provide technical guidance to the Health Emergency team on incorporating prevention and response strategies for sexual exploitation and abuse into all components of the program.
• Advocate for and guarantee the comprehensive execution of the Health Cluster’s PSEA Action Plan.
• Participate and provide inputs for the development of SEAH proposals and support the mainstreaming of SEAH

Capacity building and systems strengthening on PRSEAH

• Support the identification of capacities gaps of Implementing partners in preventing and responding to SEAH
• Define a risk mitigation strategy for partners, including a comprehensive plan for capacity-building Capacity development of WHO personnel on PRSEAH to ensures they understand their responsibilities and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations.
•  Building Health Cluster and Implementing Partners capacity on PRSEAH 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 PRSEAH protocols to ensure immediate action is taken if any issues arise during their operations.
• Support development of sustainable internal capacity to adequately manage risks of SEAH in implementing partners, including risk identification, PSEAH capacity building and monitoring.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Determine effective strategies for incorporating PRSEAH into health emergencies and promote the exchange of knowledge at the program or office level
• Gather insights from various stakeholders, including implementing partners, and compile evaluation data to formulate lessons learned regarding PRSEAH for the Country Office.
• Document lessons learned, experiences and case studies from project implementation to inform capacity development trainings as well as address gaps and refine program procedures and processes

PRSEAH Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor compliance of WHO and implementing partners with PRSEAH Action Plan and other applicable SEAH related guidelines.
• Undertake site visits during project execution and operation to assess how PRSEAH mitigation measures are succeeding or have succeeded in minimizing impacts.
• Undertake follow up monitoring to ensure that proposed PRSEAH risk mitigation measures are implemented as per plan
• Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluation.

Job Requirements

Education/Experience /Language Requirements

Education

Essential:

• First university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Gender Studies, social sciences or any other relevant field.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in Social/Political Sciences or related field relevant to the position. Additional qualification or training in diplomacy, project management, community engagement or similar.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of one (1) years of technical experience in Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and sexual Harassment (SH) frameworks in Afghanistan.
• 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

Desirable:

• Experience and understanding of how survivor centered principles are applied within reporting structures and processes.
• Understanding of Afghanistan Public health system
• Coordination experience within the UN system and amongst Health partners, including Health Cluster NGOs, and communities.
• Experience undertaking PSEA risk assessments, in coordination with communities, partners, and UN and other key stakeholders
• Familiarity with data protection and confidentiality measures is highly desired.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills are 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 (Dari and Pashto) 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-2024-09-23 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.

Note: This position has been re-advertised and a courtesy request that those who have previously applied should not re-apply.

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.