National Individual Consultant: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Specialist

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.