Job Vacancy @ The Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) – Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer

Position: Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer – Freetown

Organization: Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL)

Job title: Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer (national post)

Reports to: Program Development Manager/Head of Programmes

Duty station: Freetown, Sierra Leone (Flexible, with frequent travel to the provinces/project sites)

Job type: Full-time (11 months, with possibility for extension based on availability of funds).

BACKGROUND:
The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has been a beacon of hope and unity in a country rich in religious diversity. Established in 1997, the Council has played a vital role in promoting peace, reconciliation, and social stability in Sierra Leone. With the recent challenges faced in the national political landscape, the IRCSL has crafted a new strategic plan for the years 2025-2029. This plan aims to guide the Council in its mission to serve as a moral guarantor of peace and national cohesion, collaborating with the government and stakeholders to foster lasting peace and reconciliation through sincere dialogue and mediation. The IRCSL is committed to enhancing its impact, securing a permanent office, and mobilizing resources to support its outlined activities. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer to support our Gender Transformation Programming and interventions at the national level and across multiple districts in Sierra Leone.

JOB PROFILE:

IRCSL is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer to join our team. The Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer will play a critical role in ensuring gender-sensitive and disability approaches are integrated into all aspects of the organization’s programs and projects. This position will focus on promoting the active participation of women and marginalized groups across IRCSL programmes and implementation, addressing gender-specific needs, and advocating for gender equity, social inclusion and safeguarding in the communities and districts we serve.

As a matter of fact, IRCSL is entering an exciting new phase in its development with an ambitious five-year national strategy and the post holder will play a vital role in helping us to achieve our broader goal to ensure peace, justice and harmony through religion for all.  He/she works within the guidelines, policies and mission of the organization and will be accountable and responsible for specific tasks as assigned. In this exciting role, s/he will work on generating specific gender issues across the various programs and areas of intervention. As Gender Officer, s/he will work along the following:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Gender Integration and Mainstreaming:

• Develop and implement gender-sensitive strategies and action plans for all IRCSL projects and programmes.
• Ensure that gender considerations are integrated into all project activities, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Gender equality

• Coordinate the integration, implementation, and assist in the monitoring and evaluation of Gender transformative programing (which includes programmes that engage men and boys on gender equality) including strategies for prevention of GBV.
• Provide relevant technical assistance (advice, training, capacity building, documentation, etc.) to programme/project staff and ensure that all learning materials and manuals are reflective of IRCSL and partners’ best practice on approaches to Gender Equality.
• Support direct project activities on Gender, Social Inclusion and Safeguarding where appropriate
• Identify and build the capacity of IRCSL staff and volunteers and umbrella bodies in Gender Equality, to influence attitudes and behaviors and to assist our strategic goal of developing staff and umbrella bodies quality.
• Effectively liaise and communicate with the researchers involved in the Safe Learning Model (SLM) operational research component and relevant technical advisers in IRCSL Secretariat.
• Produce a monthly report on the development of our Gender transformation work.

Safeguarding

• Assist the Programme Development Manager/Head of Programmes and Finance/Admin in the management of IRCSL’s Safeguarding and Accountability mechanisms and directly support our field Safeguarding Focal Points.
• Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of safeguarding measures and update of IRCSL’s Safeguarding profile and capacity strengthening plans.
• Effectively liaise and communicate with the relevant project teams and relevant technical advisers in our partners’ office.
• Produce a monthly report on the development of our Safeguarding work.

Representation/Coordination

• Develop and maintain good professional relationships with the relevant ministries, international agencies, NGOs, partners and other stakeholders working in the Gender and Safeguarding fields, at across Sierra Leone.
• Assist in the development of effective, innovative actions in advocacy to achieve a larger and more sustained impact through the programme.
• Undertake additional duties as mutually agreed with the Programme Development Manager/Head of Programmes.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Conduct gender and safeguarding training sessions and workshops for IRCSL/project staff, community members, and stakeholders.
• Build the capacity of the Secretariat/project team to understand and address gender and safeguarding issues effectively.
• Advise and assist in the development of gender-sensitive and Safeguarding training materials, adapt existing training resources and support their integration into internal and external training processes.

Community Engagement:

• Promote the active participation of women and marginalized groups in Inter-Faith activities.
• Facilitate community dialogues and focus group discussions to understand gender-specific and other social inclusion needs and challenges.
• Incorporate gender dimension into participatory planning and budgetary processes at district and national levels.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop gender-sensitive and other social inclusion indicators and tools for monitoring and evaluating project outcomes.
• Conduct regular assessments to track progress and impact on gender equity.

Advocacy and Communication:

• Advocate for gender equity and the inclusion of women in faith-based decision-making processes.
• Prepare reports, case studies, and communication materials highlighting gender issues and project achievements.

Collaboration and Networking:

• Collaborate with donor organizations, government agencies, and international partners to promote gender equity in Inter-Faith Actions.
• Participate in gender forums and networks to share knowledge and best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum Higher National Diploma in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development/Project Management Studies, or a related field. A BSc/BA degree is an advantage.
• At least 3 years of experience in gender mainstreaming, preferably in the development contexts/projects.
• Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of local languages is an advantage.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and engage with local communities.

Required profile for job ad : Gender/Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer – Freetown

Desired Skills and Expertise

• 3 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field.
• Strong understanding of gender/social and safeguarding issues and challenges in the context of Inter-faith programming.
• Excellent training and facilitation skills.
• Ability to develop gender-sensitive and safeguarding tools and indicators.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder engagement at local and central government levels.
• Able to prioritize clearly and undertake multi-tasking as needed.
• Committed to consultative and people-centered advocacy engagement principles.

Contract and Remuneration

This position is a full-time, renewable contract with a negotiable salary commensurate with qualifications, experience and available budget.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

PLEASE NOTE:

IRCSL encourages applications from qualified individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Please ensure you are fully aware of the:

1. Inter-Faith approach to peacebuilding and conflict management, and
2. Commitment to safeguarding: IRCSL is committed to safeguarding the protection of its members, beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly vulnerable groups, including children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with Religious Actors, children and other vulnerable groups. IRCSL staff are required to give the utmost respect to and comply with the standard best practices.

HOW TO APPLY: