Guide
The UN PSEA partner assessment, explained
The eight core standards, how capacity is rated, and what happens if you do not meet them yet, written for local and national NGOs.
The basics
What the assessment is
By Richard Prouse · Updated
UN agencies that fund implementing partners use a common PSEA capacity assessment to check that partners can protect the people they serve from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and respond properly if it happens.
You start with a self-assessment, with evidence for each standard. A UN entity then reviews and scores it. Where you work with several UN agencies, one assessment can serve them all, so you should not be assessed again by each one.
Standards
The eight core standards
- Organisational policy
- Organisational management
- Human resources systems
- Mandatory training
- Reporting
- Assistance and referrals
- Investigations
- Corrective action
Ratings
How capacity is rated
| Standards met | Capacity | What follows |
|---|---|---|
| 8 of 8 | Full capacity | Meets all standards. |
| 6 or 7 | Medium capacity | An implementation plan to reach full capacity, generally within six months. |
| 5 or fewer | Low capacity | The agency must justify the partnership and agree a plan; you must raise the standards met within three months. |
Standard 8 (corrective action) is critical: a new partner without it cannot be engaged, and an existing partner’s agreement is suspended until it is in place. The result is valid for five years unless a major change or an incident calls for reassessment.
Before you start
How to prepare
- Policy and code of conduct that staff and volunteers have signed.
- Recruitment checks, such as reference checks and, where available, the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
- Training records showing staff and volunteers have completed PSEA training.
- Safe ways for communities to report concerns, and a referral pathway to medical, psychosocial and legal support for survivors.
- An investigation procedure and a record of corrective action taken.
The UN Partner Portal offers the self-assessment, guidance in many languages and an e-learning course, and the Aidfolio Toolbox lists free templates.
Sources
- UN Implementing Partner PSEA Capacity Assessment (common assessment, English), via the IASC PSEA website
- UN Partner Portal: Interagency PSEA IP Protocol resource package for partners
Guidance changes. Always follow the current form and instructions from the organisation assessing you. Aidfolio is independent and not affiliated with the UN, Charter for Change or Humentum.
Common questions
What are the eight core standards of the UN PSEA partner assessment?
1 Organisational policy, 2 Organisational management, 3 Human resources systems, 4 Mandatory training, 5 Reporting, 6 Assistance and referrals, 7 Investigations, 8 Corrective action.
How is PSEA capacity rated?
Each standard is scored yes (1) or no (0). Meeting all 8 is full capacity; 6 or 7 is medium capacity; 5 or fewer is low capacity.
What happens if we do not meet all the standards?
The UN entity agrees an implementation plan with you. A medium-capacity partner is generally expected to meet all standards within six months; a low-capacity partner must raise the standards it meets within three months of the agreement. Without corrective action (standard 8), a new partner cannot be engaged.
How long is the assessment valid?
The capacity determination is valid for five years, unless something such as a major organisational change or an incident calls for an earlier reassessment.
Who does the assessment?
You first complete a self-assessment with supporting evidence. A UN entity then reviews and scores it. Where several UN agencies work with you, one of them can assess on behalf of the others.