Gender Equality, Inclusion, and Safeguarding Manager- Somalia

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The International Rescue Committee has been working in Somalia since 2006, providing essential services to conflict and disaster affected communities. The IRC has been operational in Somalia (Mudug, Galgadud, Nugal and Banadir regions) implementing interventions in the areas of livelihood, Governance, GBV, WASH and health reaching out to people affected by conflict and drought.

Scope of Work

The Gender Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (GEDI) and Safeguarding Manager is responsible for providing leadership in the IRC Somalia country program’s application of the principles of GEDI and safeguarding. The position assists the country program in setting and achieving meaningful goals for the improvement of the organizational work environment in addition to the application of these principles with our partners and clients. S/he will also be responsible for leading in the implementation of IRC’s GEDI and safeguarding strategies and activities across the country program.

Major Responsibilities

Under supervision of HR Coordinator, the GEDI and Safeguarding Manager collaborates with all levels of the country program to achieve GEDI and safeguarding goals.

The position coordinates with regional technical support in improving organizational understanding of issues in these areas and supports sensitization and decision making to ensure that policies and practices meet the required GEDI, and safeguarding standards set by the IRC at global, regional and country program level.

Senior Management GEDI Support

• Work with the country leadership to develop GE and Safeguarding action plans, including developing and adapting proven and innovative approaches for promoting and building an inclusive and equal office culture and environment.
• Actively support staff understanding of and engagement in the Strategy Action Plan (SAP), particularly as it relates to GEDI and safeguarding.
• Facilitate the enforcement of harassment-free/anti-sexual harassment, safeguarding, respect at work and other relevant policies.
• In partnership with the Safety and Security Advisor, liaise with the country safety and security focal points to work for more gender inclusive country risk analysis and safety trainings to allow for improved recognition of women-specific security concerns.
• In collaboration with the regional focal points, oversee the development and implementation of the GEDI and safeguarding national action plans.
• Work closely with relevant teams in preparation and dissemination GEDI and safeguarding information.

Staff Support

• Oversee GE champions in all field offices across the country. Organize monthly coordination calls as well as ad hoc communications.
• Serve as IRC Way Day ambassador for the country program, ensuring the successful rollout of the annual events at IRC Somalia offices, including follow-up and completion of necessary courses and tracking staff attendance.
• Build staff capacity to ensure our human resource practices are gender-sensitive, inclusive, and equitable.
• Provide orientation and on-job training to IRC staff on gender mainstreaming, gender core concepts, and safeguarding. Support contextual adaptation, design and roll-out of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on gender and safeguarding for the country program, including delivery of trainings on different aspects.
• Support the reporting and investigation of safeguarding concerns raised by staff, clients and/or external stakeholders.
• Support Women@Work groups by providing technical guidance, facilitating scheduling meetings, documenting meeting outcomes and communicating them to IRC Somalia leadership.

Programming Support

• Work with program leads to build their understanding and ability to apply sector specific approaches to deliver more gender equitable and safe programming by conducting gender analysis of program activities.
• Support efforts to build capacity of implementing partners to deliver gender equitable and safe programs. As requested, provide technical support and guidance to partners, in accordance with partnership agreements and in coordination with the Partnerships department. Adapt and facilitate trainings for partners on Gender Equality and Safeguarding.
• Monitor program implementation through field visits, focus group discussions and key informant interviews with staff and beneficiaries. Produce reports to demonstrate impact, progress against action plans and inform ongoing and future program design.
• Review and support enhancement of country program and partner client feedback mechanisms.
• Ensure representation in country forums, conferences and clusters focusing on gender and safeguarding. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including community leaders, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, community-based organizations and other IRC sectors to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination.
• Review and provide input for proposals/reports and assist in the incorporation of GEDI/safeguarding in program budgets.

General HR Management

• Provide support to the human resources sector as needed including, but not limited to, recruitment payroll, audit support, staff development and other Admin/HR activities.
• Provide assistance with legal matters including Labor Law compliance and case management.
• Provide HR leadership support as needed in providing capacity development.
• Regularly disseminate IRC mandatory and optional training opportunities, track completion and develop incentive strategies to improve completion rates.
• Support organizational adherence to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.

The job description will be regularly updated to suit the need of the sector and to add any new activities deemed necessary to be included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, law, or other related discipline.
• 4 years professional experience with gender equity and HR.
• Familiarity with the gender equality and safeguarding standards and principles, international mechanisms on safeguarding and gender equality.
• Demonstrated experience/understanding of organizational and/or HR policies and practices.
• Good communication and report writing skills essential.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating trainings and workshops. Good team building skills and knowledge of participatory approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive situations diplomatically and in a confidential manner.
• Ability to travel to other IRC field sites and province field project sites to promote safeguarding awareness through trainings and orientations.
• Self-motivated, highly responsible, punctual, flexible, culturally sensitive. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.