Senior Officer, PSEAH

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) People and Strategy, and (iv) Legal, Governance Support and Accountability.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The Ethical Practices Department (EPD) acts as a strong, cohesive, effective and visible second-line vector for IFRC at global, regional and national levels. It provides oversight and expertise to IFRC first-line activities and operations and ensures that the organization operates in accordance with highest standards across the five following pillars:

• Ethics and Integrity to promote a culture of transparency, integrity and accountability in line with industry standards and IFRC policies.
• Risk Management to create a culture of positive risk taking within IFRC operations and activities, supported by appropriate tools and capacity.
• Social Safeguards including Prevention against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) to ensure safety, dignity, access and inclusion are part of humanitarian programs and operations and that the principle of ‘do not harm’ is mainstreamed in all IFRC activities.
• Environmental Safeguards to ensure that all IFRC operations and activities are environmentally sustainable and accountable.
• Compliance to implement systemic, harmonized and coordinated internal control mechanisms across the organization and align with internal policies and international standards.

The newly established Social Safeguards function is a key support to IFRC in meeting the three goals and overall aim of Strategy 2030 of “devoting particular attention to people who are vulnerable, excluded or marginalized”. It is also a core element of IFRC’s priority of promoting Values, Power and Inclusion, and the enablers of Engagement, Accountability and Trust as articulated through the IFRC secretariat’s Renewal. The function aims to establish policies, procedures, and measures designed to protect people from potential harm, prevent negative social impacts, protect human rights and well-being, and ensure equitable benefits for communities, especially vulnerable populations.

This job posting is open to nationals of Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala or anyone with the right to work in these countries.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to support the PSEAH, Technical Coordinator in coordinating Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) technical activities at regional and national levels.

Under the supervision of the PSEAH, Technical Coordinator, the PSEAH Senior Officer will implement IFRC’s PSEAH strategy to enable Regional Office and delegations as well as related National Societies to deliver PSEAH activities on a scale and to its highest standards. The position holder will promote a safe and inclusive environment as well as deliver technical training. The incumbent will closely collaborate with regional PGI officers to implement a cohesive and integrated social safeguard strategy and will work in conjunction with specific regional and delegations’ focal points in the National Society Development and Coordination Division (NSDC Division), Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) and Human Resources Management Department (HRMD) as needed. The incumbent will also collaborate with colleagues on other closely related topics to identify gaps and mitigation risks and to introduce change.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Implement global PSEAH strategy across Regional Office

• Implement and operationalize IFRC’s global PSEAH strategy with a regional lens across Regional Office, delegations and National Societies.
• Provide strategic advice to regional leadership regarding PSEAH risk mitigation and assure the integration and implementation of IFRC’s PSEAH control and monitoring framework across IFRC operations and delegations in Regional Office
• Support the consistent integration of PSEAH within Emergency Preparedness and response activities within the region including costing a minimum package of PSEAH activities, communication and support locally for delegations and National Societies
• Oversee the implementation of IFRC’s Safeguarding Self-Assessment Framework across Regional Office, advise regions and countries on its implementation, and develop action plans to close gaps identified and to introduce systemic change.
• Work closely with the regional Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) focal points to provide consistent and aligned support to NSs on social safeguards matters, including the provision of survivor centred response and support capacity, and to ensure technical alignment and integration of PSEAH with the PGI agenda.
• Upon request, represent IFRC and its holistic and comprehensive approach to PSEAH in external and internal fora, initiatives, events and coordination mechanisms at regional, delegation and national societies ‘levels.
• Remain up to date with PSEAH best practices and policy developments.
• Build and maintain relationships with key Movement actors to proactively promote and integrate PSEAH efforts as part of broader Movement’s initiatives.

Coordination and oversight at regional level

• Work with regional and delegations’ HRMD, Legal, and OIAI to convene lessons learned from investigations and translate these into useful learning for IFRC operations, policies, processes, trainings and communications.
• Contextually analyse, manage and respond to regional SEAH risks through implementing the SEAH risk management framework at strategic and operational levels, with the support and guidance of the Risk Function.
• Map and assess, with local counterparts, the accessibility, functionality and risks related to referrals, victim-centered care and resources available to support victims and survivors of SEA at a local level.

Communication and trainings

• Support the PSEAH technical coordinator in reporting periodically to IFRC’s senior management on PSEAH activities in the region.

Deliver IFRC’s training and strengthening activities on PSEAH and develop a more extensive safeguarding curriculum both for all IFRC personnel and those with additional responsibilities for PSEAH.

Education

Advanced university degree (master's level or equivalent) in relevant field of study; or a first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant experience. (Required)

Additional PSEAH related training such as CHS, Open University or Humentum certification. (Preferred)

Experience

REQUIRED

At least 5 to 7 years of working experience with substantive experience in PSEAH or similar roles.

Demonstrable experience of successfully building and implementing PSEAH activities in humanitarian context.

Demonstrated experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder processes.

Proven experience to deliver PSEAH trainings.

PREFERRED

Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or Federation/ICRC

Experience in working in Emergency contexts

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

REQUIRED

In-depth and up-to-date knowledge of PSEAH policy requirements and best practices

Skilled in analyzing standards, drafting/refining PSEAH policies, and creating technical guidelines/mechanisms.

Skilled in monitoring & systems management, including maintaining PSEAH control frameworks (training and curricula) and developing methods to track and report on implementation status.

Strong coordination, facilitation, networking and advocacy skills

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with different audiences.

Proficiency in carrying-out PSEAH self-assessments and risks assessments and developing corrective action plans.

High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.

Working knowledge of a survivor-centred approach to preventing and responding to SEAH incidents.

Fluent spoken and written English

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

PREFERRED

Understanding and knowledge of IFRC and Movement processes, systems, values and culture

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Empowering others

Managerial competencies: Managing staff development

This job posting is open to nationals of Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala or anyone with the right to work in these countries.