NPO (Prevention of & Response to Sexual Misconduct - PRS), Damascus

NPO (Prevention of & Response to Sexual Misconduct - PRS)

• Grade: NO-B
• Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 12 months (renewable: subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuous need for the position)
• Job Posting: Oct 27, 2026, 9:20:17 AM
• Closing Date: Nov 17, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
• Primary Location: Syrian Arab Republic-Damascus
• Organization: EM_SYR WHO Representative's Office, Syrian Arab Republic
• Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct (SM), inaction against it and retaliation against those who raise a complaint or bear witness. WHO's use of the umbrella term sexual misconduct includes sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (SEAH) and violence. Sexual misconduct encompasses all of these prohibited behaviors of a sexual nature perpetrated by our personnel or our implementing partners, and which harm the populations we serve and the colleagues we serve alongside. WHO's vision, approach and work on prevention and response to sexual misconduct are framed by the WHO Policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct (PASM) and the WHO's three-year strategy 2023-2025, as well as WHO's staff rules and regulations, and our Code of Ethics. To achieve zero tolerance, WHO has designated an overall coordinating department within the Office of the Director-General - the Department of the Prevention and Response to Sexual Misconduct (PRS) -, a senior PRS coordinator in each of the regional offices, full-time PRS/ staff in our six priority countries in EMR and provided funding for PRS role in Syria and other countries in the region

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of WHO Head of Office, and overall guidance of the PRSEAH Coordinator, the incumbent has the following responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Country Offices (HWCO) and programme and emergency leaders on matters and activities related to PRS, keeping them updated on PRS requirements and sourcing support from the regional or global levels as needed.
• Coordinate with the Regional Office to implement the Regional Plan on PRS, within the broader framework of WHO's PRS work and PRS Accountability Framework.
• Act as the focal point for assessment of Sexual Misconduct (SM) risk in the country, and work with relevant colleagues to complete the Sexual Misconduct Risk Assessment, update it and develop and monitor risk mitigation plans.
• Support programme and response leaders to implement the 10 core in-country PRS activities.
• Support the HWCO or their delegate to complete the SEAH compliance list. Ensure all personnel, staff and non-staff, standing and surge capacity, are screened, including the UN Clear Check database. Report regularly to the WR and provide written reports to the Regional Coordinator on progress, risks, challenges and trends.
• Conduct PSEA capacity assessments of implementing partners, monitor and review.
• Coordinate with the UNCT/HCT. Act as the working-level officer in-country for SEAH in the UNCT/HCT and ensure communication and coordination between them and WHO.
• Ensure WHO fulfils the interagency requirements for PSEAH and contribute to joint work such as community engagement, community-based complaints mechanisms, support for joint missions, etc., and bring to the attention of the HWCO any gaps, risks and trends.
• Provide technical guidance concerning appropriate prevention, risk mitigation and response strategies and advance a victim/survivor-centered approach.
• Work with programme and administrative colleagues in WHO, and in collaboration with the UNCT/HCT, to update victim and survivor services in-country and highlight gaps.
• Be available to guide or support SM complaints, concerns and allegations from victims and survivors, bystanders or witnesses in a safe and confidential manner, to be shared only with WHO's investigation services, and ensure all victims and survivors are referred to the services they need.
• Provide victim and survivor support when requested to do so by a mandated official (IOS, PRS global or regional, or Staff Health & Well-being).
• Facilitate briefing and training on PRS for the WHO workforce and implementing partners.
• Facilitate information sharing and disseminate communication material and ensure partners and communities are aware of SEA and how to report.
• Collaborate with the regional and global PRS team to support documentation, progress monitoring, after-action reviews, case studies and other learning activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree in social sciences, gender, law, human rights, international development, international relations, public health or other development-related fields

Desirable: Specialized training in PRSEAH, gender, human rights, gender, or gender-based violence.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years' work experience in prevention and response to sexual misconduct or related field. Work experience with children and/or adults who have witnessed or experienced sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment.

Desirable: Work experience in WHO or another international organization. Experience in the delivery of programs in complex humanitarian or development contexts. Experience conducting awareness raising and training on sensitive issues such as sexual exploitation and abuse, and/or gender-based violence.

Skills

Integrity, objectivity, and professional competence. Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills. Effective time-management skills. Strong capacity to embrace cultural diversity and sensitivity to gender issues. Ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure constant data protection. Ability to work in a stressful environment. Ability to maintain focus in crisis situations. Ability to maintain excellent interpersonal working relations (collaboration, tact, patience). Ability to facilitate multidisciplinary and multinational staff.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Promoting innovation and organizational learning
• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Arabic.

Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 34,569 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• 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 eManual.
• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.
• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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