Tiered Approach

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:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Liberia faces a complex and evolving humanitarian and protection context shaped by a combination of socioeconomic fragility, climate-related shocks, and pockets of recovery from past crises. Persistent poverty, high unemployment, food insecurity in vulnerable communities, and weak service delivery systems continue to expose significant segments of the population to heightened risk. Seasonal flooding, particularly in low-lying and densely populated areas such as Monrovia and surrounding counties, frequently leads to displacement, destruction of housing, disruption of livelihoods, and increased public health risks, further compounding household vulnerability.

Against this backdrop, protection risks remain significant, with Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) continuing to be a critical concern within humanitarian and development settings. Liberia is consistently identified in regional safeguarding analyses as a context where SEA risks remain present due to structural vulnerabilities, limited access to complaint mechanisms in remote areas, power imbalances, and constrained institutional capacity. While awareness of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards has improved across sectors, gaps remain in survivor-centered reporting systems, community trust in complaint mechanisms, and consistent accountability enforcement. Underreporting remains a key challenge, driven by fear of retaliation, stigma, and limited confidence that complaints will lead to meaningful action.

The UN and partners in Liberia have progressively strengthened collective safeguarding mechanisms through an inter-agency PSEA network composed of UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs/CSOs, donors, and relevant government counterparts. This network provides a coordinated platform for prevention, risk mitigation, and response to SEAH. It is typically chaired by an Inter-Agency PSEAH Specialist, supported by rotating co-chairs, and links over 100 partner organizations across the humanitarian and development landscape. The network also engages a growing cadre of trained PSEA focal points to strengthen community outreach, awareness-raising, and safe referral pathways, while promoting survivor-centered approaches.

The inter-agency PSEA structure in Liberia reports to the UN Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), which provide strategic oversight, guidance, and support for implementation of the collective PSEAH strategy and action plan. The Inter-Agency PSEAH Specialist will report administratively to the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) UNDP, to the Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, who holds system-wide accountability for advancing PSEA commitments across the UN and partners.

Investing in dedicated PSEA capacity in Liberia is essential to ensure that humanitarian and development assistance is delivered safely, ethically, and in line with “Do No Harm” principles. It strengthens accountability to affected populations, reduces reputational and operational risks, and supports donor expectations on safeguarding, gender equality, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strengthening Leadership, Accountability, and Coordination 

  • The role provides strategic leadership support to senior UN leadership in Liberia, particularly the Resident Coordinator (RC), UN Country Team (UNCT), and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), to ensure effective Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) across all UN and partner operations in Liberia.
  • Provide strategic advisory support to senior leadership to ensure strong accountability for system-wide PSEAH implementation in Liberia. 
  • Collaborate closely with UN senior leadership to coordinate the inter-agency PSEAH Network in Liberia, including UN agencies, INGOs, national NGOs, civil society organizations, IFIs, and relevant Government of Liberia institutions. 
  • Represent inter-agency PSEAH priorities in key coordination platforms such as UNCT, HCT, OMT, Protection Cluster, Gender Theme Group, and other national coordination mechanisms. 
  • Work closely with Protection, GBV sub-sector, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Gender Theme Group, and sector leads to ensure PSEAH is fully integrated into programmes, policies, and joint planning frameworks in Liberia. 
  • Identify emerging risks, gaps, and trends related to SEAH in Liberia and advise RC/HC, UNCT/HCT, and the PSEAH Network on strategic and practical mitigation measures.
  • Support senior leadership in developing resource mobilization strategies, Government of Liberia engagement strategies, and crisis communication and messaging strategies on PSEAH. 

Leading Development of Liberia-Wide PSEAH Strategic Action Framework

  • This function ensures a coordinated, country-wide strategic approach to PSEAH prevention and response across the UN system and partners in Liberia.
  • Ensure annual inter-agency SEAH risk assessments are conducted in Liberia and that findings are integrated into sector assessments, UN planning frameworks (UNSDCF), and humanitarian response plans. 
  • Lead the development of a multi-year Liberia PSEAH Strategy with clear priorities, objectives, roles, and stakeholder responsibilities, including Government of Liberia and civil society engagement. 
  • Ensure alignment of PSEAH priorities with UNCT/HCT strategic planning processes and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Liberia. 
  • Develop a sustainability and exit strategy to ensure long-term national ownership and continued coordination of PSEAH mechanisms in Liberia. 
  • Promote integration of PSEAH within localization efforts and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus to strengthen national systems and institutions. 

Oversight of Implementation of the Liberia PSEAH Programme

  • This function focuses on ensuring effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of PSEAH activities across Liberia.
  • Support and advise Co-Chairs of the PSEAH Network in implementing the Network’s Terms of Reference (ToR) and Action Plan. 
  • Facilitate development and updating of the PSEAH Action Plan and Monitoring & Evaluation framework for Liberia. 
  • Conduct consultations with network members and senior leadership to assess gaps, strengths, and areas for improvement in PSEAH implementation. 
  • Support development of a sustainable resourcing plan for the Liberia PSEAH Programme. 
  • Provide regular updates and briefings to the PSEAH Network on emerging risks and implementation challenges. 
  • Strengthen national and in-country capacity by identifying skilled partners within the Network to lead training, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives, including training of trainers (ToT) for PSEAH Network members.
  • Promote collaboration between PSEAH Network, AAP, and CwC platforms to integrate community feedback into prevention and response systems. 
  • Assign and coordinate technical responsibilities within the Network to support information management, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement. 
  • Strengthening data systems to ensure risk assessment findings and case trends inform decision-making and programme improvements.

Strengthening Victim/Survivor-Centred Approach (VSCA) in Liberia

  • This area ensures that all PSEAH interventions in Liberia prioritize dignity, safety, and rights of victims and survivors.
  • Ensure coordination between the PSEAH Network and Protection Cluster, GBV sub-sector, and Child Protection actors in Liberia for a harmonized survivor-centred response. 
  • Serve in a senior advisory role supporting system-wide victim/survivor rights approaches within UN and partner agencies in Liberia. 
  • Coordinate with GBV and Protection actors to ensure consistency in prevention and response mechanisms across the UN system. 
  • Facilitate integration of community feedback mechanisms through AAP and CwC platforms to improve reporting and response systems. 
  • Support strengthening of Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs) across agencies to ensure safe, accessible reporting channels. 
  • Develop and support rollout of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inter-agency SEAH referral pathways in Liberia. 
  • Ensure SOPs align with GBV and Child Protection referral systems and adhere to victim/survivor-centred principles. 
  • Support training of focal points and staff in safe reporting, complaint handling, and referral systems. 
  • Coordinate capacity-building initiatives on survivor-centred approaches across UN and partner organizations. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Sharing 

  • This function ensures strong coordination, advocacy, and knowledge sharing across national, regional, and global levels.
  • Engage Government of Liberia institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society to strengthen PSEAH coordination and capacity-building. 
  • Represent inter-agency PSEAH priorities in UNCT, HCT, OMT, and regional coordination platforms. 
  • Provide regular briefings to UN leadership on PSEAH risks, progress, and implementation challenges in Liberia. 
  • Strengthen linkages with sub-national structures, including county-level actors, to ensure PSEAH integration across Liberia’s decentralized system. 
  • Liaise with regional and global PSEAH networks to ensure Liberia aligns with international standards and best practices. 
  • Support resource mobilization efforts for sustainable PSEAH programming in Liberia.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Inter-Agency PSEAH Specialist will report administratively to the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) UNDP, directly to the Resident Coordinator (RC) with a dotted-line reporting responsibility to the Chair of the UN PSEA Network. In carrying out their duties, the Specialist will work closely with the UN Country Team (UNCT) and relevant partners, including UNDP programme units, PSEA and safeguarding focal points, and other staff and consultants supporting the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) agenda.  

The Specialist will collaborate across UN agencies, technical teams, and coordination structures to ensure effective coordination, strong alignment, and successful implementation of PSEAH-related activities within the UN system.

Competencies

Core competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy           

  • Systems Thinking       
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system.    
  • Negotiation and Influence    
    • Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create win-win situations.

Business Management           

  • Results-based Management              
    • Ability to manage Programme and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
  • Partnerships Management   
    • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Communications       

  • Creative direction and copywriting  
    • Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way.

2030 Agenda: 

  • Peace Governance   
    • Electoral Cycle Support.
  • People Gender             
    • Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Work, Public Health, Gender Studies, Law, Human Rights, Humanitarian Studies, International Relations, and/or another related social science discipline is required. OR
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience (with a Master’s degree), or seven (7) years of experience (with a Bachelor’s degree), in Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), protection, human rights, and/or gender-based violence or a related field is required.

Required skills:

  • Experience in coordination and stakeholder engagement skills: Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-agency or multisectoral groups, evidenced by successfully facilitating at least 4–6 inter-agency coordination meetings per year and ensuring actionable follow-up on agreed recommendations, is required.
  • Experience in data analysis and reporting skills: Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret PSEA-related data, with proven experience producing at least quarterly analytical reports that inform decision-making and risk mitigation strategies, is required.
  • Experience in capacity-building and training skills/experience: Experience designing and delivering PSEA training sessions, demonstrated by conducting a minimum of 3–5 training or awareness sessions annually for staff, partners, or community stakeholders, is required.
  • Experience in communication and advocacy skills: Strong ability to develop clear messaging and advocacy materials on PSEA, demonstrated through the production of regular communication products—such as briefings, awareness materials, or campaigns—at least 2–4 times per year and engagement with diverse audiences, is required.
  • Experience in field experience in humanitarian and/or development settings in PSEAH is required. 

Desired knowledges and skills:

  • Experience in risk assessment and safeguarding skills: Ability to conduct PSEA risk assessments across programmes or operations, evidenced by completing at least 1–2 formal risk assessments per programme cycle, including mitigation recommendations, is desired.
  • Experience working in Liberia, the Sahel, and West Africa is an advantage.
  • Experience in an inter-agency coordination role is an advantage.
  • Demonstrated experience in international development and humanitarian architecture is desired. 
  • Proven familiarity with the UN system and global coordination structures (e.g., IASC, UNSDCF) and coordination structures at response level (clusters, sectors) is desired. 
  • Proven ability to develop an Action Plan/Strategy is desired.
  • Familiarity with data protection and confidentiality measures is desired.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading strategic processes is desired.
  • Previous work with UNDP, another United Nations entity, a development partner, a donor-funded programme, or an international/non-governmental organization is desired.

Language:

  • Fluency in English language is required.

QUALIFIED FEMALES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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