Terms of Reference
POSITION TITLE: Consultant, Alight PSEA Policy, Procedures Review & Levelling Up
PROJECT: Alight PSEA Policy & Procedures Review, & Levelling Up
LOCATION: Remote opportunity/Non US based – and be available for strategic travel primarily within Africa region
GRANT/FUNDING CODE: (Tentative) People &Culture/HR&Belonging Units (50% each)
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Bernad O. OJWANG, Head of People & Belonging; support: Deusdedit Kiwanuka, Global GBV & Protection Advisor
LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT: Approx. 2-2.5 Months
START DATE: November 20, 2021
END DATE: January 2022
PURPOSE and MAIN OBJECTIVES
Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) measures to protect people from sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian staff, vendors, partners, and associated personnel. At Alight, the large refugee and displaced person contexts we work in bring us into contact with vulnerable or resource-poor persons. Alight staff and associates provide and have access to goods and services that invariably puts the organization and associates staff in a position of power over the communities we serve and within the organization.
Alight and its associates are committed to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in our work and service settings. Alight staff is expected to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional conduct at all times to protect our customers. Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by Alight staff and or its associates would directly contradict the values and principles upon which the organization is built. SEA inflicts harm, indignity on those whom Alight and partners are obligated to protect, jeopardizes the credibility of all assistance, services, and goods that we provide. **
The planned review and leveling up of Alight’s s PSEA policy, code of conduct, and practice are informed by the transition, growth, our journey of becoming ALIGHT, and our renewed commitments to values of a just, joyful, and fantastic workforce and clients. Alight wishes to review, level up, and develop a PSEA policy and procedure, that better meets the unique undertaking, beliefs, and safety of Alight staff and the persons we serve.
The revised and globally leveled-up PSEA policy will help us carry out our work following the ethical and moral principles that support our global calling. Regardless to mention, policy alone is not enough if not translated into action. A revamped PSEA policy will include practical steps that will allow Alight to realize its commitments to each other as a family and the people we serve, allowing us to spot risks, seeking direction, and making good choices for every individual’s safety, dignity, and satisfaction.**
Scope of the Work: The review and leveling-up work will be done in phases, to include a review of the existing policy documents and procedures, consultations, and listening to Alight staff and its associates and the communities we serve. The process will also include feedback and validation with core stakeholders and culminate in a rollout and implementation plan for the final updated PSEA policy.
On this journey, we are looking for a consultant and guide to working with a select multi-disciplinary and cultural Alight team and leadership to review, document, and update Alight’s PSEA policy. We suggest an approach and methods that will engage our wider teams, partners, and associates in the review, discovery, and leveling up exercise, leading to a co-created and shared policy and guidelines supporting Alight’s commitment to human dignity and working.
We envisage an updated PSEA policy that articulates the minimum standards in line with the Inter-agency Standing Committee Minimum Operating Standards on PSEA (IASC MOS-PSEA), the principles of the United Nations Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and informed by International Human Rights Law, United Nations’ standards, and best practice guidelines from the humanitarian sector among others. The revised policy should also remain cognizant of other existing and associated Alight policies such as Whistle Blower, Child Protection, Incident reporting, Conflict of Interest policies, and general HR Code of Conduct—also, bringing out clarity on accountability and responsibility holder/s across geographies, programs, and offices.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
The project activities will include:
Phase 1: Review Alight’s existing PSEA policy and its current application and performance. Activities will include but are not limited to:
· Review Alight’s existing PSEA policy and benchmark against similar minded or lead agency policies and practices.
· Review Alight’s mechanism for recruiting, hiring, orientation, training, communication, and engagement with its PSEApolicy beneficiaries.
· Reviewing Alight’s current mechanism for receiving and addressing SEA allegations and procedures for holding perpetrators accountable, noting the organization geographic and legal diversities
· Review Alight strategies to reduce risk and incidents associated with SEA. Specific reference to be made to the minimum standards in line with the Inter-agency Standing Committee Minimum Operating Standards on PSEA (IASC MOS-PSEA), the principles of the United Nations Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and is informed by International Human Rights Law, United Nations’ standards, and best practice guidelines from the humanitarian sector among others.
Phase 2 : Reviewed, leveled up new PSEA policy and procedure
· Work with select committee (consult will advise, support set up of the committee) to listen and receive feedback on current policy and procedure
· Collate learning, benchmarks, feedback from selected committee members to use towards revising the PSEA policy procedures
Phase 3 : Operationalization/Rollout, which will include:
· Design communication and rollout mechanisms, and tools for reaching staff, associates, and partners
· Design a clear PSEA policy map, outline or flier that will guide staff through understanding SEA governance and responsibilities, including procedures on reporting and managing complaints
· Establish a precise mechanism that triggers periodic reviewing and updating of the policy.
· Develop a play book or framework (procedure) on working with communities to co-create avenues for accessibility and inclusion
· Training, support, and mentorship of core teams and focal persons (to be selected and set up, guided by the consultant) across Alight offices, programs, and countries (including TORs for focal persons or groups)
DELIVERABLES and TIMELINE
Phase 1(5 days) : Review ‘Alight’s existing PSEA policy and its current application and performance**
· Create Project Concept and Plan
· Review and benchmark findings, recommendations, and presentations to select the Alight team
Phase 2 (25) days: Reviewed, leveled up new PSEA policy and procedure
· Next steps document, detailing the leveling up/updates, inclusive of relevant staff and stakeholder consultations and input
· Draft and final Updated PSEA policy and implementation procedure
Phase3 (10 days): Operationalization/Roll out,
· Roll out recommendations and guide document
· Train focal persons to roll out leveled up PSEA policy and procedures
· Develop roll out calendar
Phase 4 (2 days): Understading if roll out is successful
· Create accountability mechanism towards understanding how successful revised PSEA procedure and training is utilized.
Phase & deliverable
Estimated work days & % of overall assignment
Projected Deliverable and Invoice due date
*Phases 1&2
Phase 1: Review ‘Alight’s existing PSEA policy and its current application and performance**
· Create Project Concept and Plan
· Review and benchmark findings, recommendations, and presentations to select the Alight team
30 days/ 72% ($8640)
Dec. 31 2021
Phase 2: Reviewed, leveled up new PSEA policy and procedure
· Next steps document, detailing the leveling up/updates, inclusive of relevant staff and stakeholder consultations and input
· Draft and final Updated PSEA policy and implementation procedure
Phases 3&4
Phase3: Operationalization/Roll out,
· Roll out recommendations and guide document
· Train focal persons to roll out leveled up PSEA policy and procedures
· Develop roll out calendar
12 days/ 32% ($3360)
January 28th 2022
Phase 4: Understading if roll out is successful
· Create accountability mechanism towards understanding how successful revised PSEA procedure and training is utilized.
42 days/100% ($12000)
2-2.5 months
Note: Payment will be made within 30 days of receipt and approval of the report & invoice. **
QUALIFICATIONS
- Human-centered consultant with experience in collaborative and consultative work approaches.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of gender and power dynamics and the protection of displaced persons.
- Knowledge and experience working on complaints and response mechanisms
- Previous and successful experience supporting humanitarian or like-minded agencies in PSEA policy set up, review, and guidance
- Deep understanding, knowledge, and appreciation of PSEA in humanitarian contexts
- Experience working with diverse cultures and teams worldwide; ability to effectively work, support, and coordinate with teams remotely and across varied time zones
- Knowledge in designing and conducting participatory training, including developing training materials
- Comfort and confidence – and absence of conflict of interest – leading this initiative, and ability for possible presentation and discussions with leadership and executive structures as needed.
ALIGHT
We are on a journey to build ALIGHT, a new platform of amazing people and organizations providing lifesaving services and creating breakthrough solutions for and displaced. WeAreAlight.Org
ALIGHT is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. ALIGHT complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.