PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) Officer

Mission and objectives

UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented and truly benefit women and girls worldwide.

Context

The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to deepen gender inequalities, with women and girls disproportionately affected by displacement, poverty, and protection risks. Over 2.7 million women have fled the country, 2.8 million are internally displaced, and 1.4 million live in temporarily occupied territories. The destruction of civilian infrastructure, collapse of the care economy, and demographic crisis have intensified women's vulnerability, particularly those from marginalized groups such as Roma, disabled, elderly, and female-headed households. Gender-based violence (GBV), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and human trafficking are growing concerns, while women's representation in political decision-making remains limited. Structural barriers—such as lack of childcare services, gender stereotypes, and exclusion from traditionally male-dominated sectors—compound these challenges, despite a critical national demand for skilled workers. Nonetheless, opportunities exist to advance gender equality and implement Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) commitments. The Government of Ukraine has made normative progress through legislative reforms and strategies, including the Istanbul Convention, UNSCR 1325 NAP, and the Law on Regional Policy. Coordination platforms, such as the Platform for Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusive Recovery and the Alliance on Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery, have garnered international support. Women's rights organizations (WROs) have emerged as trusted actors but face persistent funding and access barriers. Aligned with the 2025–2029 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus, UN Women's programming aims to strengthen institutional ownership, expand support for WROs, and promote gender-responsive recovery, accountability, and inclusive development in partnership with government and civil society actors. All forms of sexual exploitation and abuse are incompatible with the universal human rights framework, national legislation, values, humanitarian principles, and standards that underpin UN Women and the entire UN Country Team in Ukraine. The PSEA core principles apply to all three outcome areas of the UN Women Strategic Note. Therefore, the UN Women CO Representative is looking to appoint a PSEA Officer. Bearing in mind the evolving security and humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and given the complexity of our work, the CO activities, and the requirements of the 2025 Ukraine Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the PSEA risk assessment and risk management should mirror the Country-level Action Plan for the UNCT in Ukraine and encompass the PSEA-related obligations of the Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) for the dual accountability system based on individual mandates, organizations and as part of the PSEA Country structure (UNCT). This UNV assignment will support the implementation of UN Women commitments for preventing and responding to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, with a specific focus on the risk assessment and risk management of UN Women partners and grantees.

Task description

In close collaboration with the Senior Gender Advisor, the PSEA Officer serves as the PSEA Focal Point for the office, coordinates PSEA activities within UN Women, and executes assigned activities related to risk assessment and risk management of partners, from implementation to reporting.

• Conduct capacity assessment and follow up of partners with low/medium capacity before starting a partnership or renewing contracts, including development of capacity building plans, and liaising with relevant project staff and partners on their implementation.

• In close collaboration with the Senior Gender Advisor, provide inputs on the PSEA risk assessments, mitigation and capacity building plans at organizational and inter-agency levels.

• In close collaboration with project teams, provide the required analysis and technical guidance in the implementation of PSEA prevention, risk mitigation, and put in place response measures during planning, project development, and programming.

• Develop, organize, and facilitate training sessions on PSEA in different formats for staff, implementing partners, grantees, and responsible parties operating under a partnership agreement, and guide them through the capacity assessment.

• Develop, produce, and facilitate the dissemination of PSEA awareness communication materials to field offices, project sites, as well as contractors/implementing partners in coordination and collaboration with the project teams.

• When needed, represent UN Women Ukraine, attend and follow up on the requests of the Inter-Agency PSEA Network in collaboration with the Senior Gender Advisor.

• Supports the drafting of PSEA action plans, reports, inclusively by collecting analytical data and liaising with the relevant stakeholders.

• Propose initiatives that will raise UN Women CO's organizational capacity on PSEA, including but not limited to mapping and improving existing SEA complaints and reporting mechanisms, prevention and mitigation measures, and staff confidence in reporting.

• Develop, conduct, and coordinate with the relevant internal and external stakeholders awareness raising activities/sessions for local communities across the country on PSEA and reporting pathways, with support and guidance from the Senior Gender Advisor and the Inter-Agency PSEA Network.

• Support the Senior Gender Advisor in AOB.

Qualification Requirements:

• Master's degree in Social work, social sciences, gender, international development, or other relevant fields

• At least 7 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in any of the following areas (including a combination): prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, gender, gender-based violence, sexual harassment;

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian

• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;

• Experience in developing and facilitating training and capacity-building activities is required;

• Understanding of the humanitarian sector is required;

• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills are an advantage;

• Previous involvement with and/or experience working with government, international Non-Governmental Organizations and Local Civil Society Organizations in Ukraine is an advantage.

• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

National UN Volunteer Expert Entitlements:

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA)
  : USD
  2076/month
  (in UAH)
• Entry Lump Sum
  : USD 400 (one-time)
• Medical and Life Insurance
  :
• UNV medical insurance (for volunteer and eligible dependents)
• Life insurance coverage during the assignment
• Leave Entitlements
  :
• Annual Leave: 2.5 days/month
• Learning Leave: Up to 10 days/year
• Sick Leave: 30 days certified + 7 days uncertified/year
• Assignment Duration
  : 6 months full-time, with possibility of extension based on performance and funding