UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

The UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) continues to face significant risks related to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). Over the past three years, the region has recorded a high number of SEA allegations, each requiring timely and coordinated follow-up to ensure survivor-centred support, appropriate risk management, and sustained organizational accountability. Ten countries in ESAR are currently reflected in the global SEA Risk Index, which assesses country-level SEA risks, particularly in humanitarian and emergency contexts.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) remains a non-negotiable organizational commitment for UNICEF. Recent reporting to the Executive Board has highlighted important progress while underscoring the need to sustain and consolidate these gains. Similarly, the UNICEF PSEA Audit examined the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control mechanisms across UNICEF’s global operations, with key recommendations emphasizing sustainable financing, stronger cross-divisional collaboration, and expanded engagement with government partners.

At the same time, increasing expectations from donors and partners reinforce the importance of sustained investment in safeguarding and PSEA systems to ensure that UNICEF programmes and operations remain safe, accountable and responsive to potential risks of harm. In ESAR, growing engagement with the World Bank has further emphasized the importance of robust PSEA systems as an integral component of programme implementation and partnership arrangements.

As PSEA arrangements evolve across Country Offices, continued regional technical support and capacity strengthening will be important to sustain effective safeguarding systems.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, the Multi-Country Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Programme Specialist will provide strategic leadership, technical guidance and operational support to strengthen safeguarding and PSEA systems across ESAR. The incumbent will support Country Offices in meeting UNICEF’s institutional and programmatic commitments, strengthening prevention and response mechanisms, building sustainable national and partner capacity, and ensuring that safeguarding and PSEA considerations are systematically integrated across programmes and operations.

How can you make a difference??

• Support the rollout of the Safeguarding Policy (including PSEA) at Country Office level
• Coordinate with HQ Divisions to provide technical support for policy rollout and implementation guidance.
• Support Country Office Risk Management, Planning, and Safeguarding/PSEA Focal Points through regular meetings, training, and improved communication.
• Strengthen safeguarding and PSEA integration in Program, Operations and People and Culture work.
• Promote adherence to global safeguarding and PSEA policies and procedures among UNICEF staff and partners with training, awareness and monitoring.
• Assist in reporting, managing, and responding to safeguarding and SEA concerns/incidents in coordination with OIAI and relevant divisions.
• Track progress at country level through tools such as pulse surveys or targeted assessments.

Provide ongoing technical support on the PSEA Portfolio

• Implement global and regional guidance and strategies to address SEA, including survivor assistance, SEA risk assessments, and engagement with governments and partners.
• Ensure survivors have access to appropriate services (medical, psychosocial, legal, material) in line with the UN Victim Assistance Protocol.
• Collaborate with Risk Management teams to operationalize PSEA assessments for CSO implementing partners and related risk management procedures.
• Strengthen inter-agency PSEA initiatives, including establishing in-country PSEA Networks.
• Represent UNICEF in regional inter-agency PSEA working groups and HQ coordination groups; maintain close relationships with focal points in other regions.
• Support capacity building efforts, including co-facilitating PSEA training for UNICEF and implementing partner staff on international standards, roles, complaint mechanisms, and GBV services.
• Provide technical support to Country Offices, identify trends, challenges, and good practices, and escalate findings to HQ for continuous improvement.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

Advanced university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or a related social science field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in programme design, planning, implementation, and management related to safeguarding, child protection, GBV, PSEA, or similar fields—preferably within the UN.
• Experience in humanitarian and/or development contexts implementing safeguarding, PSEA, or protection programming.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and PSEA developments, inter-agency responses, humanitarian cluster systems, and intersections with GBV, Child Protection.
• Experience in training and capacity building in safeguarding or PSEA.
• Strong communication, facilitation, training, networking, and advocacy skills.
• Proven ability to work independently under challenging conditions and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural environments and build effective working relationships internally and externally.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and French is required.
• Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

Experience working in ESAR developing countries and/or emergency contexts is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

For this position, eligible and suitable Men candidates from High Income Region are encouraged to apply.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

• Support the rollout of the Safeguarding Policy (including PSEA) at Country Office level.
• Coordinate with HQ Divisions to provide technical support for policy rollout and implementation guidance.
• Support Country Office Risk Management, Planning, and Safeguarding/PSEA Focal Points through regular meetings, training, and improved communication.
• Strengthen safeguarding and PSEA integration in Program, Operations and People and Culture work.
• Promote adherence to global safeguarding and PSEA policies and procedures among UNICEF staff and partners with training, awareness and monitoring.
• Assist in reporting, managing, and responding to safeguarding and SEA concerns/incidents in coordination with OIAI and relevant divisions.
• Track progress at country level through tools such as pulse surveys or targeted assessments.
• Implement global and regional guidance and strategies to address SEA, including survivor assistance, SEA risk assessments, and engagement with governments and partners.
• Ensure survivors have access to appropriate services (medical, psychosocial, legal, material) in line with the UN Victim Assistance Protocol.
• Collaborate with Risk Management teams to operationalize PSEA assessments for CSO implementing partners and related risk management procedures.
• Strengthen inter-agency PSEA initiatives, including establishing in-country PSEA Networks.
• Represent UNICEF in regional inter-agency PSEA working groups and HQ coordination groups; maintain close relationships with focal points in other regions.
• Support capacity building efforts, including co-facilitating PSEA training for UNICEF and implementing partner staff on international standards, roles, complaint mechanisms, and GBV services.
• Provide technical support to Country Offices, identify trends, challenges, and good practices, and escalate findings to HQ for continuous improvement.

• Strong communication, facilitation, training, networking, and advocacy skills.
• Proven ability to work independently under challenging conditions and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural environments and build effective working relationships internally and externally.
• Builds and maintains partnerships.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Drive to achieve results for impact.
• Innovates and embraces change.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Works collaboratively with others.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in programme design, planning, implementation, and management related to safeguarding, child protection, GBV, PSEA, or similar fields—preferably within the UN.
• Experience in humanitarian and/or development contexts implementing safeguarding, PSEA, or protection programming.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and PSEA developments, inter-agency responses, humanitarian cluster systems, and intersections with GBV, Child Protection.
• Experience in training and capacity building in safeguarding or PSEA.
• Fluency in English and French is required.
• Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.
• Experience working in ESAR developing countries and/or emergency contexts is considered an asset.