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: 

The WPE Manager will be supervising and coordinating WPE program activities implemented in River Nile and Khartoum states. She will lead program implementation, build the capacity of staff and local partner to provide direct support to women and girl survivors of Gender Based Violence, Mentor, supervise and monitor activities, and ensure financial and logistical controls are implemented according to the IRC protocols. She will be the main focal point of IRC partner in River Nile and Khartoum States. 

• Adhere to and proactively promote the women-, girl- and survivor-centered support approach, and the GBV guiding principles.
• Through regular, daily, community outreach paired with one other team member, build and maintain relationships with communities, including local leaders, different groups, and stakeholders, in order to foster an environment of support to women and girls and survivors of GBV and the centers and safe spaces.
• Support the WPE Centre team in conducting focus groups and other activities, guided by women and girls, for the safe spaces that gage risks to women and girls.
• With the technical support from the WPE Prevention Officer, develop appropriate messages on the types of services and support available to survivors of GBV, where these services are available, how communities can support survivors to access services, and the consequences of GBV and the benefits of seeking care and support.
• Assess the topics that met the needs of the community and particularly women and girls; report ideas to the WPE Prevention Officer.
• Create community session materials, seeking review and approval of all materials and resources prior to use, from the WPE Prevention Officer.
• Provide and reinforce appropriate safe and confidential referrals of survivors of GBV; and –Adhere to the GBV guiding principles throughout all GBV outreach and engagement interventions. This includes ensuring confidentiality of survivors, and respect for their wishes and decisions.
• Identify concerns related to and support adherence to GBV referral protocols and GBV guiding principles and bring these concerns to the WPE Prevention Officer.
• Work with WPE team ensure that the safe spaces are responding to the evolving needs of communities.
• Work with the WPE team to conduct regular safety audits and ensure to work with women and girls.
• Support distributions of risk reduction items (inc. dignity kits) and follow on monitoring.
• Support the recruitment and indirectly supervise all community outreach workers; ensuring they understand their roles and are mentored to succeed.

Other

Complete attendance sheets for relevant activities and contribute to monthly activity reports, according to guidance provided by the WPE Prevention Officer, and supply information on a weekly basis to the WPE Prevention Officer in-line with deadlines.

Maintain positive coordination and relationships with partner and other sector staff.

Core Competencies. 

• High problem-solving skill and conflict resolution.
• Prioritize work under pressure and in difficult setting.
• Positive and professional attitude.
• Meet deadline and high flexibility of working hours.
• Maintain high communication among team and supervisor.
• Coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to details
• Other responsibilities as needed

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required

• 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.
• The 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.
• The 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.