Women`s Protection & Empowerment
(WPE) Senior Manager
Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Job Title:

Women`s Protection & Empowerment (WPE) Senior Manager

Department/ Program:

WPE

Work Location:

IRC-Bangladesh, Ukhiya Office

Line Manager:

WPE Coordinator

Grade:

7A

Program Brief

Founded in 1933, 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.

IRC has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 and obtained registration with the NGOAB in March 2018. Since IRC obtained registration in March 2018, it has moved quickly to expand its integrated emergency health and protection response through both direct and partner-based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and child protection. Through 2018, the IRC’s response strategy will primarily target Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, while meeting the significant needs in both refugee and host populations, as already existing vulnerabilities are compounded with cyclical monsoon and cyclone seasons that impose additional threats to the lives and protection of those refugees as well as vulnerable host populations. IRC is growing its programming to cover education and livelihoods/DRR, as well as its geographic foot print in the host community and to other parts of the country.

Purpose of the Role

The role will oversee WPE programming focused on violence against women and girls (VAWG) response and prevention in women and girls’ safe spaces and the communities, and the WPE components within mobile teams and partner facilities. Through supportive mentoring, she will provide capacity development to IRC staff and partners to strengthen their management skills, as well as to case management, PSS, safe space, support worker and SRH teams (IRC and partner organization) to strengthen their WPE and VAWG response and prevention practices. The role will ensure projects are being implemented in line with IRC’s overall WPE programming.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

Project Management:

• Responsible for overall project management and coordination of assigned WPE grants
• Lead role in project implementation on ground and oversee and manage implementation of WPE programming including women and girl’s safe spaces, and WPE components in emergency mobile teams and health facilities
• Working closely with respective WPE Managers, ensure timely implementation and budget spending in line with the project documents
• Ensure development of project planning and management documents for each project including but not limited to; project results framework, detailed implementation plans, financial plans, M&E plans, procurement plans, human resource plans and ensure their execution
• Coordinate and ensure grants opening meetings take place and coach project Managers and staff of new projects
• Support implementation and ensure adherence to grant work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans
• Responsible for preparing high quality donor, management and other internal and external reports and ensure their timely submission
• Put in place measures to track financial spending and ensure budget is spent as per project financial plans

Program Quality & Technical Support:

• Ensure that all WPE programming, meets IRC and international standards adhering to a women-, girl- and survivor-centered and feminist approach and that IRC and partner staff and volunteers are supported to build and strengthen their practice in this area
• Ensure that all services are fully functioning, are well equipped and resourced, and staff members and teams are motivated and encouraged in their roles and work
• Provide technical guidance and support to the WPE and partner teams to strengthen safe space and mobile operations and improve the provision of quality case management and psychosocial support services to meet the needs of women and girls
• Lead on needs-based capacity development (training, learning sessions, and on-the-job mentoring) for the WPE and partner teams in critical areas of WPE and VAWG practice
• Ensure that ethical and sound data collection and information management systems are managed appropriately and are functioning in all sites
• Ensure that formal referrals pathways are used and adhered to by the WPE and partner teams, and any issues found with the pathways and services are reported to the WPE Coordinator for advocacy
• Ensure regular collaboration and communication with the health team counterparts in health facilities and mobile teams to ensure standard methodology across both sectors and strong internal safe and confidential referrals
• Work with the WPE Coordination and other Snr WPE staff in the design and implementation of activities that specifically target women and adolescent girls grounded in evidence-based methodologies

Staff Supervision & Development:

• Provide direct supportive supervision to the WPE Managers, and support them to do the same for the WPE staff they supervise to enable them to successfully perform in their positions
• Responsible for performance management including setting performance objectives and conducting regular performance appraisals on progress with supervisees, providing timely and constructive feedback to develop their professional practice
• Spend significant time in field locations to provide hand holding support to team and supportive supervision
• Working with the WPE Coordinator, ensure the female WPE staff have opportunities and space to regularly as scheduled meet, self-organize and build strong, supportive peer networks and solidarity with each other, creating a community of feminist-grounded VAWG practice between them
• Ensure staff well-being and care is prioritized and is an integral part of weekly/monthly work plans

Coordination, Representation & Advocacy:

• Proactively build strong working relationships at the site levels with other international and national actors/organizations and UN agencies (i.e.: WASH, shelter, food/NFI) for advocacy on ensuring specific measures are put in place to reduce risks of VAWG in line with Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines for response and prevention of GBV in humanitarian settings; and ensure that all advocacy points are communicated in a timely manner to the WPE Coordinator for field and national level advocacy
• Under the guidance of SPC, represent IRC in relevant coordination meetings at camp and sub district level including sector coordination meetings

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintain open and professional relations with all IRC and partner team members, promoting a strong, respectful team spirit, ensuring effective communication, and opportunities for debriefing
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Experience

• Minimum 7 years’ total experience with least 4 year(s) of experience in GBV programming for women and girls and case management – essential; and also experience in sexual and reproductive health – highly desired
• Proven experience in GBV in emergencies/ humanitarian crisis
• Previous experience in emergency preparedness and response
• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading, building and strengthening a program team of 10 + staffs in a dynamic, challenging and changing context
• Demonstrated experience in supervising, mentoring and building capacity of national staff;
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating practical workshops and learning on the issues outlined in the areas of responsibility for this position
• Strong experience, knowledge and skills in participatory methods and community development

Competencies: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of the impact and dynamics of male violence against women and girls, and solid grounding in feminist, women and girl-centered, anti-oppressive practice;
• Demonstrated relationship building skills with key partners including government, donors, INGOs, national and local organizations, UN agencies
• Strong ability to respect differences of culture, opinion and lived experiences while upholding rights-based principles and women’s protection and empowerment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, positive and professional attitude, ability to lead and work well in a team setting and with multiple partners
• Strengths in listening, empathy, flexibility, and creativity

Language Preference

· Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Specific Educational Qualification

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies/ Gender/ Social Science/ Social Work/ Human Rights/ Humanities or any other equivalent degree

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 on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Are you ready to join the most dynamic team?