Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 190 member National Societies. The Organization acts before, during and after disasters, crises and health emergences in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality), policies and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade. The IFRC Secretariat has a decentralized structure: five regional offices (each with several CCST and country offices reporting to it) covering the globe and responsible for frontline delivery through National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, backed by the Secretariat HQ based in Geneva.
Job Purpose
Strategy 2020 guides the actions of the IFRC. It defines three strategic aims for the IFRC and its member National Societies, in order to align under a common vision: 1. Save lives and help people prepare for and recover from disasters and crises. 2. Enable safer and healthy living, and make better provision for marginalised people 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace The IFRC Strategic Framework on Gender and Diversity Issues 2013-2020, which aligns with Strategy 2020, guides the Protection, Gender and Inclusion work within the IFRC. It emphasizes the need to address the root causes and social determinants of gender inequality and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as social inequality based on diversity factors (ethnicity, disability inclusion, migration status, age, etc). Further, the IFRC’s Protection, Gender and Inclusion approach is underpinned by commitments made in Resolution 3 of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross Red Crescent to Prevent and Reduce Sexual and Gender-based Violence, as well as through its operational guidance, the IFRC Minimum Standards for Protection, Gender and Inclusion (2018). The Protection Gender and Inclusion (PGI) Senior Officer will provide strategic technical advice and guidance to African National Societies and IFRC regional office and CCST and country offices. The PGI Senior Officer ensures that IFRC coordinated emergency operations and National Society programmes promote the dignity, access, participation, and safety of all girls, boys, women and men based on their different needs, capacities and vulnerabilities, and without discrimination based on age, gender, disability, religious, race, or legal status. In addition, the PGI Senior Officer will support National Society and IFRC teams to enhance the impact, reach and efficiency of emergency response operations and development programmes through the integration and coordination of PGI activities and approaches. This includes PGI mainstreaming, advocacy, programme design, staff support and training, and strengthening community relationships. The PGI Senior Officer ensures there is operational capacity to identify protection risks including violence against children and sexual and gender-based violence and take action to prevent, mitigate and respond to violence, exploitation and abuse, including appropriate reporting and referral mechanisms. The role of the PGI Senior Officer is to mobilise and ensure quality programme (human, financial) resource for PGI work.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Provide strategic technical advice and raise awareness and commitment on protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) issues among African National Societies and IFRC Africa regional office and CCST and country offices
Lead efforts regionally to establish and continuously develop and refine more effective, efficient and consistent systems for PGI integration in IFRC and National Society operational plans and activities.
Advocate and share lessons learnt for PGI issues with key stakeholders internal and external to the RCRC movement to ensure appropriate awareness of PGI issues and how RCRC teams are responding to PGI risks and needs.
Have a technical oversight of PGI initiatives and lead translation of existing guidelines into action at the National Society HQ and branch level
Mobilize, facilitate and provide substantive inputs, including applying for funds in line with corporate guidelines and manage the fund-seeking efforts from public and private sector, international agencies, all in close consultation with PRD;
Forge/implement strategic partnerships with National Societies and external partners, governments, private sector, voluntary sector, academia, NGOs and CSOs;
Ensure improved mainstreaming of PGI into all IFRC emergency response operations in Africa through rollout of tools, field deployment and capacity-building of PGI surge personnel (in collaboration with programmes and operations team and different sectors)
Coordinate PGI integration in Appeals and DREFs through application of IFRC Minimum Standards and related guidance (incl. PGI marker)
Build PGI surge response capacity within the Africa region by organising and facilitating PGI in Emergencies training for surge personnel and ensuring continuous follow up and mentoring.
In coordination with global PGI in emergencies Coordinator, act as a technical line for PGI surge personnel deployed to IFRC coordinated emergency response operation in the Africa region as well as PGI staff in CCST/COs.
Design and facilitate training and briefings on different aspects of PGI for IFRC and National Society leadership, staff and volunteers.
Ensure that mechanisms are in place to tackle gender inequalities, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and other interpersonal violence in emergency operations and development programmes.
Provide day-to-day management and coordination of project activities including timely and quality delivery of all project outputs and prepare project work plans, reports (including Final report and their presentation to donors) and official correspondence;
In coordination with the global PGI team, represent IFRC in external technical working groups, networks, and intergovernmental forums ensuring new and strengthened partnerships with external agencies and stakeholders in the region.
Actively participate in and represent the Africa region in the Red Cross Red Crescent global gender and diversity and protection networks.
Function as an effective team member in IFRC Africa regional office and support in achieving the objectives of the IFRC office.
LATERAL RELATIONSHIPS
Establish and ensure effective working relationships with the other delegates.
Ensure effective working relationships with National Society counterparts and leadership.
Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service departments at regional and zonal level.
Education
Relevant university degree or similar professional qualification (gender, international relations, law, human rights, etc.)
Experience
4 years of experience in a PGI related role (protection, gender, sexual and gender-based violence, disability rights), including proven track record in leading and delivering tools, and technical advisory outcome.
Demonstrated coordination or team management experience in an organization within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or in an international organization or NGO.
Possesses a broad understanding of global humanitarian issues, and international humanitarian standards for Protection, gender and inclusion in disaster response.
Possesses working knowledge of protection, gender and inclusion issues in humanitarian and development settings, specifically in the context of Africa.
Experience with the Red Cross / Red Crescent.
Experience with other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies.
Knowledge, skills and languages
Ability to facilitate trainings and workshops on technical matters.
Good analytical skills.
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
Ability to deliver multiple activities with a degree of diversity; ability to create integration across these activities.
Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
Ability to work on MS applications e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to facilitate trainings and workshops on technical matters.
Fluently spoken and written English.
Good command of French.
Competencies and values
Core competencies:
Accountability
Diversity
Integrity
Team work
Communication
Innovation
Trust building
Empowering others and National Society Relations.
