Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Location: Makuey under Gambella Field Office

Job Overview/Summary: 

Under the direct supervision of the Camp Manager and technical supervision of the Program Manager, the WPE Prevention Officer will deliver GBV prevention, response and empowerment activities Luakdong refugee camp, Matar (Gade and Tormorok) reception, and Muon transit site, which includes GBV case management service and psychosocial support to survivors of GBV, ensure delivery of Girl Shine, Women Rise and WGSS activities.  The WPE Officer will train and supervise refugee case workers, community workers and community activists to respond to GBV issues in the camps. This includes providing ongoing training and mentorship for Girl Shine mentors, GBV case workers, community outreach workers, and community activists; developing a quarterly work plan; and using monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure high-quality services. The WPE Officer will encourage smooth communication, teamwork, and coordination among partners from the protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors committed to reducing and timely responding to the incidence of violence against women. Conduct workshops, training, and disseminating information to all relevant stakeholders and conduct GBV related training for service providers to promote quality services.

Major responsibilities include:

• Direct support of the WPE activity implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the program in the refugee camp. The position holder ensures that the WPE program is implemented according to the IASC GBV guidelines and national GBV frameworks.
• Ensure proper and safe documentation of reported GBV incidents through the utilization of GBVIMS consent, case intake, action plan, follow-up plan, client satisfaction tool, and other case management forms accurately and appropriately. Strictly follow data protection and sharing protocols.
• Assist in GBVIMS database – entering data to camp IR and share quality data monthly to WPE program Manager
• Conduct Women Rise curriculum sessions.
• Recruit, supervise, and capacitate refugee incentive workers to provide quality case management services, including provision of age-appropriate specialized support and care for adult women, adolescent and girl child survivors through training, ongoing mentorship, weekly meeting, applying quarterly caseworkers’ knowledge and skills assessment tools.
• Work with other implementing partners in the camp to enhance the referral pathways and ensure survivors’ ability to receive confidential, safe, and timely services that meet their needs.
• Coordinate case management meetings only with service providers involved in its case assistance.
• Actively participate in monthly GBV sub-cluster\camp level coordination meetings and participate in GBV safety audits & other assessments as requested.
• Enhance participation of Women and Girls at the WGSS. Conduct regular review meetings with women and girls (and WGSS steering committee if applicable) to improve WGSS activities and response interventions.
• Assist in the development of culturally appropriate and sound IEC and BCC materials, in collaboration with the WPE Manager. Conduct pre-testing before dissemination
• Develop monthly and weekly activity plans for social workers
• Work closely with the WPE manager for the timely activity budget utilization, BvA, M&E, supply and logistical needs and ensure adherence to all relevant IRC logistic policies.
• Critically identify areas of integration with other sectors of the IRC (Sanitation, child protection, Health, and Water program) to improve women and girls’ inclusion and participation.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant partners including government and other agencies, other implementing partners, community leaders, organizations, and informal structures, and represent the WPE program in all partner meetings.
• Facilitate training and workshops on GBV related issues for health care providers, WPE Staff, implementing partners, education providers, local authorities, women’s groups, refugee community leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, NGO workers, and any other identified groups.
• Develop a quarterly work plan, monthly work plan, and monitoring plan and provide for community workers and/or community activists in the camp for awareness-raising activities; and provide training when needed.
• Develop a Quarterly outreach plan, based on case trends analysis according to the GBVIMS. An ongoing need for women and girls, including strategies to reach women and girls who are more isolated/have special needs for each camp.
• Assist in and /capacity building community workers to be able to support GBV safety audit activity as needed.
• Monitor prevention supply and logistical needs, raise procurement requests of prevention activity on a quarterly basis in advance, and ensure adherence to all relevant IRC logistic policies.
• Promote the participation of women, adolescent girls, and girl children in all matters affecting their life through the establishment of different clubs in school and through the organization of different outreach programs
• Other duties and responsibilities that can be given by immediate and technical supervisors.

      Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• First degree/diploma in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Public Health, Nursing, Mental Health, Women’s Studies, or any other Social science related field.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Two/Five years of professional work experience for BA/Diploma respectively 
• 1 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree.
• NGO experience is a plus.
• Related work and field experiences in counseling or social service provision with women and adolescent girls.
• Demonstrated confidence in discussing intimate gender and sexuality issues.
• Able to always maintain GBV and protection principles – including knowledge and practical application of the GBV Guiding Principles and PSEA.
• Familiarity working in the region is an advantage.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner.

Language Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English, Amharic, and ability to speak local language is advantageous.

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for
• Date of application
• Summary of  your qualifications and experience
• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job
• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address
• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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