The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post‐conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development.

The IRC has been working in Sudan since 2008 and is committed to implementing qualityprogramming to improve the wellbeing of the most vulnerable populations in the areas of livelihoods, water and sanitation, health, and social development. IRC programming reflects a commitment to sustainable solutions and believes this is achieved through participatory approaches such as community driven development, community disaster risk reduction, and capacity building of local partners.

The IRC values the diversity of our staff and recognizes that our work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives. In support of this core value, the IRC maintains and enforces policies to foster relationships that respect the dignity and worth of everyone.

IRC upholds its policies in accordance with principles of international law and codes of good conduct and affirm that all IRC staff members are responsible for promoting fundamental human rights, social justice, human dignity and the equality of men, women and children. IRC staff must treat every person without distinction based on his or her race, gender, religion, colour, national or ethnic origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.

PROGRAM SUMMARY: 

The Women’s Protection & Empowerment (WPE) program works to improve the health and safety of, and support social and economic empowerment among, vulnerable women and girls through activities aimed at preventing gender-based violence (GBV), responding to the case management and psychosocial support needs of GBV survivors, building skills and assets, and addressing the specific needs of adolescent girls. Women and girls face increased risk of GBV in settings affected by natural disaster, conflict and displacement, including sexual abuse and exploitation, intimate partner violence as well as economic and emotional abuse. 

In Sudan, the IRC is working directly and in partnership to protect and empower women and girls throughout the most crisis-affected areas of the country. As one of the most established specialized GBV service providers in the country, the IRC is working to meet the immediate and long-term needs of women and girls who have experienced GBV in acute and protracted emergency contexts, reduce the risk of violence, and foster respect for women’s rights and gender equality in the home and within and among communities. 

Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) will establish a safe space for the IDPs, and refugee women and girls living in River Nile. Within the safe space, the WPE Program aims at increasing access of women and girls to psychosocial and Gender based violence (GBV) case management services and enable communities to identify and mitigate safety and security risks faced by women and girls. All programming is implemented using survivor-centred approaches that prioritize confidentiality, dignity, safety, and respect. In response to the recent explosion in Beirut, as part of the IRC Emergency Response, WPE will be providing direct response to women and girls through the deployment of Rapid Response Teams.

Main Purpose of Job: 

In the context of the IRC emergency response, the WPE Response Officer will supervise the provision of safe and appropriate services to survivors of gender-based violence, and interventions to reduce risks faced by women and girls in emergencies. S/he will supervise the community mobilization and case management teams on a day-to-day basis to ensure quality program implementation.

Technical Quality

• Reinforce adherence to the VAWG/GBV guiding principles throughout all WPE activities. 
• Ensure that engagement with women, girls and the wider community adheres to best-practice principles when working with women and girl survivors.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise WPE Case Workers and WPE Community Mobilizers.
• Mentor and support staff professional development and foster a positive team spirit to encourage innovative and quality programming.
• Identify training needs for WPE Case Workers and WPE Community Mobilizers and support organization and facilitation of training to meet those needs, in collaboration with the WPE Program Manager.

Grant Planning & Implementation

• Prepare and maintain/update detailed work plan(s) that support and achieve activities.
• Provide direct support and ongoing mentoring to WPE Case Workers as they provide services to women and girl survivors of GBV. This will include assessment of client needs; basic, crisis counseling (and in some contexts further individual counseling); development of action plans with clients; support to clients in pursuing services and support.
• Provide direct support to WPE Community Outreach Workers / Community Workers in developing and implementing activity plans that respond to case trends and identified needs.
• Develop key messages, outreach activities and community engagement plans in coordination with community mobilizers.
• Develop and implement a series of age-appropriate and specialized group emotional services to be provided to vulnerable women and girls, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of survivors.
• Ensure the existence of a confidential space for case management and individual counselling. 
• Oversee and provide guidance for age appropriate and relevant psychosocial activities for women and adolescent girls. 

Coordination & Representation

• Identify concerns related to and support adherence to referral protocols by all relevant stakeholders.
• Support the identification of VAWG/WPE focal points in health centers and liaise with health actors for the training of medical and non-medical staff in health centers.

Monitoring responsibilities

• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly and three-month work plans in a timely manner, and incorporate supervisor feedback as requested.
• Compile monthly activity report for submission to the WPE manager. 

Other 

• Ensure all activities are carried out in accordance with IRC Operational policies
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

• Demonstrated experience with community work, community mobilization and engagement, and working with women and girls affected by conflict. 
• Demonstrable clear and genuine willingness to work and learn quickly and be committed to developing professionally in the field of GBV, in particular - supporting adolescent girls protection and empowerment.
• Studies in psychology, gender or women’s studies, social work or other relevant/related studies, and /or professional experience in counselling and implementing activities for women and girls or proven engagement in women’s rights/groups – desirable, not essential.
• Clear understanding of and interest in the well-being of adolescent girls and women.
• Excellent communication skills and confident interpersonal interaction, and abilities to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders and community members.
• Excellent listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, background and diversity.
• Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage.
• Ability to discuss sensitive issues with respect and empathy.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect at all times is essential.
• Comfortable speaking about sensitive topics in an honest, professional, and thoughtful manner.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Word/Excel.
• Language - Fluency in Arabic mandatory. English preferred.

Standard of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others. 

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous 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. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.