Job description

Background and Context:

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is a core commitment of the UN Secretary-General and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). To deliver on this commitment, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) has prioritized the acceleration of PSEA from the outset of humanitarian response, with a focus on key priority areas including safe and accessible reporting, victims/survivor-centered response, and enhanced accountability.  The (D)SRSG/HC/RC and HCT/UNCT is accountable for the implementation of collective PSEA

In Kenya, the UN Country Team (UNCT) operates in a diverse humanitarian and development landscape, engaging with vulnerable populations across multiple sectors and counties. Humanitarian and development programmes often engage vulnerable populations, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, children, and marginalized communities. Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by aid workers and other persons in positions of power remains a significant protection risk that undermines human rights, dignity, and the credibility of institutions. In line with global commitments—including the UN Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on SEA, guidelines and national safeguarding frameworks, the inter-agency PSEA Network, convened under the leadership of the Office of the Resident Coordinator, is the primary mechanism for coordinating Kenya's collective PSEA response, including prevention, risk mitigation, response, and accountability. 

The UN system, Government of Kenya, private sector and civil society partners have continued to uphold their collective PSEA commitments through an active and collaborative Inter-Agency PSEA Network established in 2017 to coordinate awareness, training, and joint reporting mechanisms. The network was strengthened in 2019 when a pledge for zero tolerance for Sexual Abuse and Exploitation was signed. The Network membership has expanded significantly, standing at 138 organizations and 296 focal persons at the end of 2025.

The Position:

The PSEA Coordination Consultant will be based at the Resident Coordinator’s Office in the UN Compound in Nairobi. The Consultant will report directly to the Resident Coordinator through the Head of the RCO, and will work in close collaboration with the PSEA Co-Chairs UNHCR and UNFPA, and  UNCT PSEA Network focal points, thematic leads and external partners.

The RCO will provide the Consultant with office space, relevant documentation, access to inter-agency platforms, and logistical support for travel within Kenya as required.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

In the context of current leadership transitions within the PSEA architecture and in recognition of the need to maintain continuity, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and accelerate implementation of the 2026 PSEA Action Plan commitments, the Office of the Resident Coordinator seeks to recruit a National PSEA Specialist. The overall objective of this consultancy is to support and strengthen the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the PSEA commitments in Kenya, ensuring a coherent, survivor-centred, and accountability-driven approach to PSEA prevention and response. The Specialist will support the UNCT in fulfilling its collective PSEA obligations outlined in the 2026 Action Plan.

You would be responsible for:

1. PSEA Policy Implementation & Compliance

  • Ensure that members of the PSEA Kenya network have understood and are implementing their organizational policies on PSEA in line with global standards and Kenyan legal frameworks.
  • Support integration of PSEA principles into programme design, implementation, and monitoring of member organizations
  • Conduct regular risk assessments to identify SEA risks and mitigation measures in the Kenyan context.

2. Capacity Building & Awareness

  • Collaborate in the development and delivery of training on PSEA, codes of conduct, and safeguarding in the Kenya network
  • Support orientation sessions for new members and partners on PSEA obligations.
  • Promote common awareness on rights, expected behavior of staff of member organizations, and reporting mechanisms in relation to SEA and Safeguarding.

3. Community Engagement & Complaints Mechanisms

  • Support member organizations to strengthen community-based complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) to become safe, confidential, and accessible.
  • Support network members to ensure that reporting channels are culturally appropriate, gender-sensitive, and inclusive of vulnerable groups.
  • Work with Focal Points of Member Organizations serve to build trust and encourage reporting of SEA concerns.


4. Case Handling & Survivor-Centered Response

  • Support or coordinate intake and referral pathways for SEA allegations in line with survivor-centered approaches.
  • Ensure confidentiality, safety, and dignity of survivors are upheld at all stages.
  • Coordinate with relevant protection, GBV, and legal services providers for appropriate support.

5. Coordination & Partnerships

  • Represent the network in national and inter-agency PSEA coordination forums in Kenya.
  • Collaborate with UN agencies, NGOs, government bodies, and networks working on protection and safeguarding.
  • Strengthen partnerships with implementing partners on PSEA compliance and capacity.

6. Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability

  • Track and report on PSEA activities, trends, and compliance indicators of member organizations in relation to the PSEA Kenya network workplan
  • Support internal audits, assessments, and reporting obligations related to safeguarding.
  • Contribute to the annual reporting and accountability frameworks established e.g. Pillar deliverables.

7. Risk Management & Organizational Safeguarding

  • Advise the PSEA Kenya network on emerging risks and mitigation strategies related to SEA.
  • Support the network in the integration of safeguarding into HR processes, including recruitment, performance management, and disciplinary procedures.

a) Coordination and Network Management

  • Convene, facilitate, and provide technical secretariat support to the UNCT PSEA Network, ensuring regular, structured, and outcome-oriented meetings.
  • Coordinate inter-agency PSEA workplans and monitor progress against agreed milestones, escalating gaps to the RC and UNCT as appropriate.
  • Liaise with the IASC PSEA Task Force, UN Headquarters, and relevant regional bodies to ensure Kenya's PSEA commitments are aligned with global standards and emerging guidance.
  • Maintain an up-to-date PSEA stakeholder map, tracking the roles, responsibilities, and capacities of UN agencies, NGO partners, and government counterparts.

b) Prevention and Risk Mitigation

  • Support UN agencies and implementing partners in conducting PSEA risk assessments, integrating PSEA risk mitigation measures into programme design, and ensuring PSEA clauses are incorporated into all partnership agreements.
  • Develop and deliver PSEA training and awareness-raising sessions for UN personnel, implementing partners, and community-level actors, adapting materials to Kenya's diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.
  • Support the integration of PSEA messaging into community engagement and accountability to affected populations (AAP) frameworks.

c) Community-Based Complaint Mechanisms (CBCMs)

  • Coordinate the development, operationalisation, and monitoring of community-based complaint mechanisms, ensuring they are accessible, confidential, safe, and responsive to survivors.
  • Map existing complaint and feedback mechanisms across UN agencies and partners, identify gaps and overlaps, and support harmonisation where appropriate.
  • Ensure that communities — particularly women, girls, and marginalised groups — are aware of and able to access safe and confidential reporting channels.

d) Response and Survivor Support

  • Ensure that referral pathways for SEA survivors are functional, clearly documented, and known to all relevant personnel and partners, including pathways to medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and safe shelter.
  • Coordinate with GBV, protection, and safeguarding actors to ensure a coherent, survivor-centred response to SEA allegations.
  • Support the RC's office in managing and tracking SEA allegation reporting and follow-up in line with UN protocols, ensuring confidentiality and respect for survivors' rights at all stages.

e) Implementing Partner Engagement

  • Support UN agencies in assessing the PSEA capacity of implementing partners, including conducting due diligence reviews and providing targeted capacity-building support.
  • Develop and disseminate guidance and tools to strengthen implementing partner compliance with PSEA standards, including model PSEA clauses, codes of conduct, and reporting protocols.
  • Coordinate joint monitoring visits and partner reviews as appropriate.

f) Reporting and Knowledge Management

  • Prepare regular progress reports on UNCT PSEA Network activities, outcomes, and challenges for the RC and UNCT.
  • Contribute to relevant UN system-wide PSEA reporting processes, including annual PSEA reports and any required reporting to IASC or UN headquarters.
  • Maintain a centralised repository of PSEA tools, guidance, training materials, and network documentation.
  • Document lessons learned and good practices from Kenya's PSEA experience for internal learning and potential broader dissemination.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education

  • Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in international development, humanitarian affairs, human rights, law, social sciences, gender studies, or a related field.
  • A first-level university degree with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience

  • Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in PSEA, protection, GBV, safeguarding, or a related field within the UN system, NGO sector, or equivalent.
  • Demonstrated experience in inter-agency coordination within the UN system, including facilitation of inter-agency networks or working groups.
  • Experience in developing and delivering PSEA training, capacity-building programmes, or awareness-raising campaigns.
  • Experience in designing or operationalising community-based complaint mechanisms or accountability to affected populations frameworks.
  • Experience in implementing partner due diligence and capacity assessment processes.
  • Prior experience in Kenya or the East Africa region is a strong advantage.

Skills and Competencies

  • Strong understanding of the UN's PSEA framework, including the Secretary-General's Bulletin ST/SGB/2003/13, the IASC PSEA Minimum Operating Standards, and relevant inter-agency guidance.
  • Excellent facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse cultural, institutional, and hierarchical contexts.
  • Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with ability to synthesise complex information and produce clear, concise, and actionable outputs.
  • Demonstrated commitment to a survivor-centred approach and to the highest standards of confidentiality and ethical conduct.

Languages: 

  • Proficiency in English is required; Kiswahili is a strong advantage.

Consultlancy Duration: 6 Months

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  • A cover letter outlining their relevant experience and motivation for the role.
  • An updated curriculum vitae/A brief technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) outlining their proposed approach to the consultancy. 

Mandatory Courses: The selected consultant must complete required UN mandatory training modules (e.g., BSITF/BSAFE, PSEA) prior to starting assignments. 

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