Gender, Human Rights and PSEA Officer Full-Time

Purpose of Position

The purpose of the post is to coordinate and lead, under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, WHO’s work in Mozambique in the area of Gender, Human Rights and Sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEA/H) in WHO programmes and humanitarian operations.

Objectives of Programme and of the Immediate Unit

WHO promotes the right to health as a fundamental human right, guided by principles of Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality (AAAQ). This approach ensures non-discrimination, participation, and accountability in health systems, and emphasizes Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Special attention is given to vulnerable groups including migrants, minorities, persons with disabilities, marginalizedpopulations.

Organizational Context

The WHO Gender, Equity, Human Rights (GER) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PRSEAH) programme aims to:

• Promote gender equality, equity, and human rights in health policies and programmes.
• Mainstream gender and rights-based approaches across WHO operations and Member States’ health systems.
• Prevent and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEA/H) in WHO programmes and humanitarian operations.
• Strengthen capacity for inclusive, people-centred health systems aligned with universal health coverage and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Technical Leadership and Policy Support:

• Provide guidance on linking health rights to Universal Health Coverage and SDG implementation
• Provide technical advice to Member States on integrating gender, equity, human rights, and PRSEAH principles into health policies, strategies, and programmes.
• Advocate for integration of AAAQ principles in health service delivery and policy frameworks.
• Ensure GER/PRSEAH are embedded into national health sector reforms, including PHC strengthening and health financing reforms.
• Support development and implementation of national frameworks for gender-responsive and rights – based health systems, including GBV prevention and response.

2. Capacity Building and Advocacy:

• Organize multi-country capacity building and know-how exchanges to strengthen human rights-based approaches.
• Design and deliver training for WHO staff, government counterparts, and partners on gender, human rights, GBV, and PRSEAH.
• Develop tools, guidelines, and IEC materials to strengthen health sector response to GBV and SEA/H.
• Provide orientation trainings on PSEAH and GBV to all recruited personnel to respond on public  heath emergency before deployed to the field and communities and monitoring mechanisms.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange, advocacy campaigns, and inter-agency collaboration on gender and PRSEAH.

3. Monitoring and Accountability:

• Establish and monitor mechanisms for reporting and responding to SEA/H, including SOPs for complaints handling and referral pathways.
• Support integration of gender and PRSEAH indicators into health information systems and programme monitoring frameworks.
• Promote accountability mechanisms and participatory processes in health planning and monitoring.
• Prepare analytical reports, policy briefs, and evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers.

4. Partnership and Coordination:

• Represent WHO in inter-agency PSEA networks, GBV coordination groups, and human rights forum.
• Serve as focal point for relevant UNCT working groups, including Gender Theme Group and PSEA Network.
• Build partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and government institutions to advance gender equality and PRSEAH objectives.
• Coordinate with the country Incident Manager for development the PRSEAH and GBV workplan and budget and ensure that PRSEAH is included in the emergency workplan.
• Coordinate the prevention of PRSEAH misconduct through development of adequate messages and effective preventive communication in different settings including IDP camps, resettlement and host community.
• Contribute to joint risk assessments, humanitarian and public health response plans, and capacity-building initiatives  and develop adequate targeted interventions towards high-risk groups and settings.
• Strengthen advocacy and partnership building efforts including developing and maintaining networks of knowledge sharing inside WHO and across Member States.
• Strengthen linkages with decentralized levels (provincial and district), ensuring GER/PRSEAH integration in subnational plans.

Competences

• Teamwork.
• Communication.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
• Producing Results.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Proven ability to design and implement action plans, training programmes, and monitoring systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate GER/PRSEAH considerations into health sector reforms.

Education

Essential:

• First university degree in public health, gender studies, social sciences, law, human rights, or related field.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in public health, gender studies, social sciences, law, human rights, or related field
• Specialized training in gender-based violence, PRSEAH, or humanitarian protection

Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 2 years of progressive professional experience in gender, human rights, GBV, and/or PRSEAH programming.
• Demonstrated experience in policy development, capacity building, and project management in health or humanitarian settings.

Desirable:

• Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset.
• Experience with national health system, sector-wide approaches, and government planning/budgeting processes.

Languages

Essential:

• Portuguese – Expert level/ mother tongue
• English – Working Knowledge

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion  are strongly encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int.
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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