The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN Agency delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. 

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations, yet one that remains shrouded in a culture of silence. GBV is widespread in times of peace and exacerbated during crisis, whether due to natural disasters or conflict. 

A weakening or collapse of protective systems and networks can lead to reduced access to health services, including Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, and an environment of impunity where perpetrators are not held accountable. Survivors have the right to assistance and support on the path to healing, empowerment and recovery. To that end, UNFPA is present before, during and after crisis to prevent and respond to GBV, to ensure access to life-saving services and information, and to put in place coordination mechanisms for effective prevention and response. 

The number of people affected worldwide by humanitarian crises continues to rise as both the frequency and severity of natural disasters and protracted, complex emergencies increase. The United Nations has calculated global humanitarian requirements for 2019 of USD 21.9 billion to reach 93.6 million people out of a total of 131.7 million people in need. More is expected of UNFPA than ever before to provide life-saving assistance.

In order to contribute to meeting these needs, UNFPA has maintained, since 2016, a global GBV and SRH Roving Team (RT) to support, through in-country missions and remote support, targeted UNFPA country offices and implementing partners and other agencies in humanitarian situations.

The impact of the Roving Team has illustrated the importance and benefits of highly qualified GBV and SRH specialists ready for deployment to support countries in need. The demand from country offices for missions by roving team specialists has been consistent and showed the need to build on the results of each mission and its recommendations in support of countries.

To enable more focused, consistent and sustainable support to countries and to build regional capacities to respond to humanitarian situations, UNFPA is integrating GBV and SRH roving teams at the regional level. The regional roving teams will allow for a more integrated approach with other initiatives,  including the Regional Emergency GBV Advisors (REGAs) as well as the surge mechanism.

Qualification and Experience

▪ Advanced university degree or equivalent in gender studies, social anthropology, clinical psychology, women’s rights, sociology, public health or other related fields

▪ Minimum of five recent years of humanitarian and GBV work experience carried out in the field, preferably on GBViE programming and solid experience in the development and delivery of MHPSS programming and support

▪ Demonstrated experience and technical proficiency in designing, adapting and delivering multiple types of trainings and capacity development interventions for a wide variety of practitioners in different contexts and with varying levels of capacity. Preference for those with specific experience in developing and delivering GBV and MHPSS related training and capacity development. 

▪ Demonstrated knowledge of IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings

▪ Demonstrated experience on Counseling skills and clinical supervision of lay counsellors

▪ Experience in the collection, management and analysis and familiarity with the safe and ethical principles of GBV information

▪ Good understanding of the survivor-centered approach

▪ Experience of working across multiple humanitarian sectors and proven knowledge of the humanitarian architecture and coordination mechanisms.

▪ Willingness to travel in the neighboring countries (up to 70% of the time)

Languages

Fluency in English required.  Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.