Result of Service

As a result of this consultancy, UN entities and relevant partners in Kenya will be better equipped to identify, prevent, mitigate, and respond to risks of SEA through an improved understanding of risk exposure, institutional capacity gaps, and priority safeguarding measures. The assessment will provide the evidence required to support strategic planning, informed decision-making, and the prioritization and implementation of the UN PSEA Action Plan, contributing to stronger accountability, enhanced protection of affected populations, and more effective safeguarding systems across UN-supported programmes and operations

Work Location

NAIROBI

Expected duration

1 Oct - 30 Nov 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Country Representative, Kenya Country Office, on behalf of the UNCT and the direct substantive supervision of the National Human Rights Officer (OHCHR PSEA focal point), the Individual Contractor shall have the following duties and responsibilities: a) Prepare a work plan that includes: (i) specific objectives, expected results and deliverables; (ii) a detailed methodology; (iii) a schedule of activities and reporting deadlines; (iv) key reference documents to be consulted; and (v) evaluation criteria agreed with OHCHR and the UN Kenya to assess progress and ensure the achievement of the expected consultancy outcomes. The work plan shall be submitted using the template provided by the Office. b) Conduct a review of key United Nations, Government of Kenya, and implementing partner PSEA policies, strategies, frameworks, guidelines, and safeguarding procedures to assess their adequacy, coherence, and alignment with international standards and best practices. c) Undertake a detailed desk review of selected programme and project documents, including project designs, implementation frameworks, monitoring systems, operational procedures, and partnership arrangements to identify areas of potential SEA risk exposure throughout the programme cycle. d) Map and engage key stakeholders involved in programme delivery, oversight, accountability, and community engagement, including Government ministries and agencies, United Nations entities, implementing partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, and affected populations. The stakeholder mapping process will assess roles, responsibilities, coordination mechanisms, and capacities related to PSEA. e) Conduct virtual key informant interviews (KIIs), consultations, and discussions with selected programme beneficiaries, project recipients, institutional stakeholders, and community representatives to gather insights, experiences, perceptions, and feedback regarding safeguarding risks and existing prevention and response measures. f) Apply appropriate qualitative data collection methodology to gather evidence and generate an understanding of SEA risk factors across different operational contexts. g) Identify and map SEA risks across programme implementation processes, service delivery points, humanitarian and development interventions, partner engagement mechanisms, beneficiary interactions, community feedback systems, complaint response structures, and referral pathways. h) Analyze key drivers of risk, including power imbalances, unequal access to resources and services, weak accountability structures, insufficient oversight mechanisms, and other contextual factors that may increase vulnerabilities to SEA. i) Assess and categorize identified risks based on their likelihood, potential impact, severity, and overall consequences for affected populations, organizations, and programme operations using a structured risk analysis framework. j) Evaluate the effectiveness and accessibility of existing reporting and complaint mechanisms, investigation procedures, survivor support services, referral pathways, case management systems, staff awareness initiatives, training programmes, and accountability arrangements currently in place within participating institutions and programmes. k) Assess institutional capacity among UN entities, government counterparts, and implementing partners to prevent, detect, report, investigate, and respond to incidents of SEA in accordance with established safeguarding standards. l) Develop a prioritized risk mitigation framework outlining strategic and operational measures required to address identified gaps, strengthen prevention efforts, improve reporting and response systems, and enhance institutional accountability and oversight. m) Formulate practical, measurable, time-bound, and actionable recommendations to support strengthened PSEA implementation, including interventions related to prevention, reporting, survivor assistance, coordination, accountability, risk management, monitoring, and organizational capacity development. n) Apply participatory and rights-based approaches throughout the assessment process, ensuring meaningful inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, marginalized populations, and other vulnerable groups. The consultant will utilize survivor-centered and trauma-informed methodologies, uphold strict confidentiality and ethical standards, and ensure adherence to the "Do No Harm" principle in all assessment activities. A structured risk matrix approach will be used to assess the likelihood and impact of identified risks and to support evidence-based recommendations. o) Participate in PSEA-related meetings convened by OHCHR and/or on behalf of UN Kenya , as required. All meetings shall be agreed in advance with OHCHR and conducted in coordination with the consultancy supervisor and, where appropriate, the Country Representative and/or Deputy Representative.

Qualifications/special skills

First degree in in Human Rights, Law, Gender Studies, Social Sciences or related field Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in PSEA and Safeguarding

Languages

Fluency in English (written and oral English)

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Individual Contractor for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Risk Assessment and Institutional Capacity Review in Kenya