Job Title: Senior WGPE Program Officer

Sector: Women Protection & Empowerment

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Sierra Leone

Job Description

BACKGROUND Present in Sierra Leone since 1999, IRC supports the Sierra Leonean institutions - government, civil society, community-based organizations and private sector - to provide improved social services, decrease youth unemployment and mitigate gender based violence. IRC do this through programs and partnerships designed to improve the life of women, youth and children by implementing Health, Education, Youth and Gender Based Violence programming. IRC has a Country Program office in Freetown, a Regional Field Office in Kenema, Field Offices in Kono and Bo, and a satellite office in Kailahun.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation."

PURPOSE OF THE JOB: IRC will be implementing the "Adolescent Girls Empowerment and Protection Project" (AGEPP) from 2019 to 2022, and its main aim is to ensure that 'Adolescent girls are protected and empowered to reach their full potential through advocacy, skills acquisition and financial empowerment. This project will be implemented in Bo District and a component of this project through adaptive research will explore how female and male caregivers understand and respect adolescent girls' rights and what other mode of programming will prove effective.

The WGPE Senior Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day direct implementation of all components of the project within targeted rural communities in Bo district. S/he will be responsible for establishing and developing informal adolescent girls groups, outside of the school setting; Women Action Groups (WAGS) within communities and Village Savings and Loans Associations with both groups. The Senior Officer will be responsible for the on-the-ground facilitation of the VSLAs, EA$E, EMAP, Parenting and Adaptive Research programs. She/he will be involved in community mobilization, sensitization and advocacy programs, and interface with traditional institutions, religious leaders, community leaders, and local government authorities towards ensuring quality implementation of all AGEPP components at the community levels. As such, s/he will be based in the target communities and report directly to the WGPE Site Manager.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Program implementation and quality Work directly on the implementation of the AGEPP in their district, and manage associated day-to-day tasks, including: with support from the Site Manager, the WGPE Coordinator and the WGPE Program Manager, work on the start-up and implementation of the girls-only and Women Action groups and activities, ensuring groups are formed in a safe, comfortable, and confidential manner and environment

Work directly with groups and communities across all aspects of programming, including: Capacity building - training, workshops and mentoring Community engagement and mobilization Awareness raising and behaviour change Work with adolescent girls and women Psychosocial support and well-being Economic empowerment Women and girls leadership, voice and solidarity building Work with partners (Rainbo Centre, Family Support Units and the Ministry of Health's Peripheral Health Units) With support from the Managers, ensure all aspects of programming follow best practice.

Staff Development and Support Actively participate in WGPE capacity building opportunities and share learning and experiences with the wider WGPE teams and program partners Actively pursue professional development opportunities based on performance and development objectives, and liaise with supervisor for support on identifying and realising these where possible

Representation and Advocacy Support the managers on site by representing the WGPE team at any relevant district level coordination meetings as and when required Advocate for the needs, priorities and interest of women and girls at the community level and district where required in line with WGPEs approach to working with, supporting and empowering women and girls. Other Undertake tasks as requested by Supervisor

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS External: WGPE Site Manager, M&E Officer, WGPE Senior Program Manager, WGPE Site Manager, Deputy Director of Programs, WGPE Coordinator

Internal: Government, INGOs, NGO and other key partners, donors and stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: Education: A minimum of a Certificate/Diploma in Community Development, social work or equivalent in any relevant discipline.

Experience: At least 2 years cognate experience in development work at community levels. Computer literacy and ability to work well using MS Office packages. Experience in community mobilization, advocacy, and conflict management. Experience using digital tools for data collection and survey activities. Understands geographic terrain and environment.

SKILL & ABILITIES; Mandatory: Committed to the mission and principles of the International Rescue Committee; Operational management - understand IRC policies and systems and applies them effectively; Applies effective utilization of resources; The ability to work within a team environment; Ability to work with all grades of staff; The ability to identify issues, problems and opportunities early and inform line manager;

Results driven - ensures objectives and deadlines are met; Role model - Builds effective work practices through role model; Respectful both within the organization and with external interactions; Self-Management - The ability to adapt and learn, accept constructive feedback and instructions from supervisor's Can communicate effectively both verbal and written across all departments; Commits and works towards the aims of the organization, showing consistency between words and actions. Organization skills, including time management and the ability to work independently and take initiative Ability to work in very basic conditions

Good motorbike riding skills and valid driving license The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

The recruiting organization, International Rescue Committee (IRC), has not specified a closing date for this vacancy or continues to list jobs after their stated closing date. Because such positions may remain open, they are listed here until removed from the recruiting organization's website.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested individuals should click on the button below to apply.

 

 

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