Consultant – Victim Centered Approach (Sexual Harassment)

Position Title: Consultant – Victim Centered Approach (Sexual Harassment)

Duty Station: Homebased

Classification: Consultant, Grade Other

Type of Appointment: Consultant, six months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 16 October 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Project Context and Scope

IOM’s institutional strategy prioritizes integrity, transparency, and accountability as key cross-cutting concerns. The Office of Ethics and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (OEP) is an independent office reporting directly to the Director General. OEP leads IOM’s work to foster an ethical culture, prevent sexual misconduct and other unethical behavior, promote compliance with IOM’s core values, and advocate for integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect. The office consists of two units: the Ethics and Conduct (ECO) Unit and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) Unit. As part of its efforts to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH) in the workplace, a Senior Coordinator was appointed to lead and coordinate global efforts to address PSEAH concerns in 2021, and the IOM PSEAH Unit was officially established in January 2022. The Senior Victim Care Officer was appointed in July 2024 to lead IOM’s efforts in strengthening a victim-centered approach with a focus on sexual harassment. To further strengthen this, the PSEAH unit is hiring a consultant to carry out a wide range of activities to ensure that prevention and response to sexual harassment efforts are adequately integrated within IOM systems and processes, prioritizing a victim-centered approach.

Central to these efforts is ensuring, through robust internal systems, a diligent, appropriate, and sensitive response to incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH) that places the rights and protection of victims, survivors, and persons directly affected at the centre of IOM’s actions. With over 28,000 staff and over 6,000 related personnel operating in 450 offices across 165 countries throughout the world, the impact on victims and within IOM’s operating environments needs to be addressed and remains a key priority.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:

Under the Office of Ethics and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (OEP) / Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment Unit, the consultant (Category A) will be responsible for strengthening IOM’s victim-centred approach on sexual harassment through development of a victim-centred, trauma-informed response to personnel.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Map existing processes and systems through stakeholder consultation and desk review analyses, identify gaps/barriers, and develop a road map for moving forward;
• Develop Sexual Harassment specific guidance for IOM staff and managers to complement IOM’s policy on a Respectful Working Environment (IN/90);
• Develop a victim centred approach (VCA) policy in relation to sexual misconduct;
• Develop a victim assistance framework and guidance tools to operationalize the VCA policy;
• Develop victim-centred standard operating procedures (SOPs) for case management in IOM, specifically related to sexual harassment, including protocols for collaboration with all case management stakeholders and clear referral pathways for victim assistance;
• Establish a “case level” victim protection and support process, including a risk management tool for rapid response for immediate safety and protection issues, referral protocols, pathway mapping to access services, as well as internal strategies to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma;
• Develop ToR and establish an SH Case Review Panel for high-risk cases;
• Review and integrate a VCA into IOM’s guidance and tools on sexual harassment, as required;
• Support the development and strengthening of systems to improve IOM’s response to victims of SH, including in coordination with Human Resources, Occupational Health Unit, Security, Investigations, etc.;
• Develop a Toolkit on how to manage disclosures and referrals specifically highlighting each functional area with specific roles and responsibilities;
• Develop and deliver training and awareness sessions for managers on addressing sexual harassment;
• Provide counselling and support to victims of sexual harassment using a case management approach;
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results

• Consultant shows clear understanding of the tasks and requirements of delivery.
• Consultant demonstrates professional competence and respects strict confidentiality.
• Consultant manages time to meet deadlines and resources needed to submit a deliverable.
• Consultant shows adaptability and tolerance to challenges.
• Consultant proves ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to set deadlines.
• Consultant proves strong ability to multi-task, prioritize and work independently.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Advanced Degree in a relevant field in one or more of the following disciplines: International Development, Gender (including GBV), Social Work, Law, Public Health, Public Administration or other field related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.

Experience

• Minimum seven years of experience in Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual harassment (PSEASH), gender-based violence (GBV), gender-based violence, staff misconduct and discipline, gender mainstreaming and/or humanitarian affairs;
• Proven experience using a case management approach;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Experience in an international organization (UN system or multilateral context) highly desirable; and,
• Field experience and working in humanitarian settings is highly desirable.

Skills

• Ability to think critically and logically;
• Strong emotion intelligence is critical;
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work under pressure; and,
• Strong stakeholder coordination, writing, and communication skills.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

The consultant should highlight their experience in developing systems and processes for sexual harassment, case management, risk mitigation, victim centered approach frameworks, and stakeholder coordination.

The consultant must adhere to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

The consultant will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines and latest glossaries in all given assignments for accurate translation.

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

• The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
• Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.