Should I take the job?

[TheTwinklyLemur]

For the record, this is not me but I'm asking for a friend, who I will refer to as I.

I am a woman who was the acting boss in my regional hub whilst there was a vacancy. This vacancy has now been filled, by a man, but I am not comfortable working with him, because he has made inappropriate remarks towards me and I have also heard that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a former female colleague. I have therefore stepped back from my own position and gone on long term leave, because I just can't work with him. I also reported him for his inappropriate behaviour towards me. He has now been sacked because of these allegations and as the former second in command I am now in a position, once again, to be the acting boss. However, although I would very much like to do this job, I am not sure if this would be appropriate, since I am one of his accusers and would be profiting from him losing his job.

Take it!

I doubt a man would ask this question.
This sleazy man is responsible for his own demise

Ask yourself "what would a man do". 9 times out of 10, a man would take up a job with no existential anguish whatsoever.

You're not profiting from him losing his job. You are a qualified and suitably experienced replacement who will provide much needed support and continuity of service to the organisation!

No you’re not profiting from him losing his job! He lost his job because of his own actions. Youre being very silly and should take the job if you want it.

I have to say that the organisation I work for is very much in the public eye and i don't want to bring more unwanted attention. I am concerned that people - that is, newspaper readers - will think I am taking advantage of his demise and will protest against it. This is not the sort of thing that our organisation needs.

If the repercussions are that serious then senior management and the hiring committee will have a view on this. Have they spoken to you about this role?

If your organisation wants to avoid bad publicity, they will simply reject your application (at which point you can decide whether or not you might want to consider legal action against them). I don't see how this is your issue to manage at all.
Unfortunately, what you are doing here is victim-blaming in disguise. It's, apparently, not the fault of the man sexually harassing colleagues. It's now the fault of the victim for reporting him and moving on with their lives?

TAKE THE JOB!!!