Women's Protection and Empowerment Coordinator

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international humanitarian organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. 

The IRC is launching an emergency response program in eastern Ukraine to meet the basic needs of populations affected by the conflict. IRC is working in the areas around Donetsk and Horlivka, implementing programs in health, economic and basic needs assistance and psychosocial programs for women and children.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Brief description of the position’s role within the Project(s):

The Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Coordinator will lead the development of an emergency program to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in eastern Ukraine.  The Coordinator will be responsible for developing a program team, establishing relevant and quality services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), supporting psychosocial interventions for women and girls, and leading activities that promote a safe and protective environment for women and girls.  The WPE Coordinator will ensure the strategic direction and technical quality of the WPE program, with a focus on emergency program start-up to meet the needs of conflict-affected populations.

Who this position reports to :

Emergency Response Team Leader

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Quality

• Provide technical and management leadership to the WPE program in accordance with best practice and IRC policy.
• Ensure that ethical and sound data collection and information management systems are in place for appropriate analysis, planning, evaluation, and advocacy.
• Ensure regular communication with the WPE Technical Unit to integrate appropriate technical unit priorities in program design.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Lead the recruitment and development of the WPE emergency team.  Directly supervise WPE Managers and ensure managerial oversight of case workers, prevention officers, and outreach workers.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure training and ongoing capacity building opportunities for staff on technical and project management skills.
• Ensure staff practice with clients / beneficiaries adheres to best-practice principles particularly when working with survivors and that all staff use participatory approaches to working with the community in addressing beliefs and practices that condone or perpetuate violence in general and against women and children in particular;
• Ensure staff self-care systems are in place, in particular for staff working directly with survivors.

Program Development and Implementation

• Lead the development of the strategy for the WPE program.
• Lead proposal development activities (narrative and budget) through planning and program design with relevant field-based staff, to ensure technical standards are taken into considering before submission.
• Coordinate with other IRC sectors (i.e., protection, health, and livelihood programs) to provide relevant input and support enhancing the protection and empowerment of women and girls across sectors.

• Ensure the development of and adherence to program work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC Operations, Finance and Grant departments to ensure compliance with grant requirements.

• Ensure high-quality IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements.

Coordination & Representation

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Regularly attend GBV sub-cluster meetings at appropriate levels to feed in IRC priorities from the field.
• Ensure field concerns and challenges are brought to relevant stakeholders to push for standards and procedures that systematize how GBV is implemented and coordinated at the field level.

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Professional Standards

• All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

REQUIREMENTS:

• MA/S or equivalent in health (MPH), social science, humanities or other related degree
• 3-5 years of overseas experience, including substantial management experience in gender-based violence programming. Experience in direct service provision for survivors of sexual and domestic violence preferred.
• Previous experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting.
• Previous experience in emergency preparedness and response.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and international staff
• Demonstrated experience in grant management and proposal writing
• Excellent computer skills in programs such as: MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others
• Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well
• Fluency in Russian and English.

SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING:

This position will be based in Donetsk with frequent visits to the field. IRC provides shared guest housing with Internet connection. Movement in Donetsk city is flexible, with a 9:00pm curfew in place and may be further restricted at times due to the security situation.