Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) Delegate

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contribute to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters is organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The IFRC is committed to Protection, Gender, and Inclusion as per Strategic Priority 5 (Values, Power, Inclusion) under Strategic Plan 2030. The IFRC has the Protection, Gender, and Inclusion Policy (2022) and related Global and Regional PGI Framework covering 1) Institutional PGI Capacity, 2) Programmatic and Operational PGI, and 3) PGI Advocacy, Partnerships and Learning.

This role sits within the IFRC Country office in Damascus, Syria and will be a core part of the delegation. This role will report directly to the line manager and engage with other thematic file holders in Syria to advance the PGI portfolio. The role is focused on supporting the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to strengthen its institutional and programming capacities in PGI. The role will be embedded in SARC, working across departments but closely with counterparts in the Community Services and Protection Department (CSP) and Programmes and Partnership Support Department (PPSD). They will maintain technical coordination with the regional PGI coordinator and be part of the extended team of the Membership Services Unit including NSD, Youth and Volunteering, Protection Gender and Inclusion and Safeguarding.  

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

The Protection, Gender, and Inclusion Delegate will provide institutional, technical, strategic, and operational support in the areas of PGI to SARC, the IFRC delegation and Partner National Societies (PNSs), with a particular focus on the Movement's broader efforts towards PGI mainstreaming and institutionalization in areas of support.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Institutionalisation of PGI in SARC

• In coordination with the NSD Delegate, support SARC with their institutional strengthening in PGI
• Conduct capacity assessments of SARC organisational and technical capacities in PGI and identify priorities to inform and revise PGI Plans and actions.
• Support the capacity strengthening of SARC staff and volunteers through training, accompaniment, mentoring and support.
• Ensure the development of proposals and adequate resourcing of PGI actions.
• Contribute to raising awareness on safeguarding and ensure a coordinated approach with other actors supporting this area.

Mainstreaming PGI in SARC Programming and services

• Support with identifying protection risks and needs within multisectoral needs assessments.
• Work with sectoral teams to ensure collection and analysis of sex-age and disability-disaggregated data. (SADDD)
• Ensure capacity strengthening with staff and volunteers on PGI minimum standards, especially at the branch level through field missions and support SARC based on the identified PGI-related needs and lessons from the field.
• Integrate PGI minimum standards for sectoral areas into SARC's programmes and services to prevent, respond and mitigate risks of violence, discrimination, or exclusion towards affected groups.
• Support SARC emergency response operations to meet the Minimum Standards for PGI in Emergency Programming and contribute to emergency plans and appeals, related to PGI.
• Support SARC emergency response operations and programmes to prevent and respond to GBV and violence against children through assessments, training, sensitisation, and awareness-raising.
• Reinforce safe identification and referrals (between sectors and with other service providers).
• Strengthen service mapping, referral pathways and case management.
• Support the establishment/strengthening of mechanisms for child safeguarding and protection and provision of safe spaces for children and vulnerable adults.
• Provide advice with respect to ensuring equitable access and inclusion within community resilience programming design and implementation with a particular focus on disability inclusion.
• Work with the CEA focal point and HR/Internal Audit on ensuring the inclusion of the minimum PGI standards as well as the sensitive complaints handling mechanism.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Coordination

• Co-lead with SARC on a Movement technical working group on PGI
• Support Movement coordination on related areas such as GBV, Disability Inclusion and Safeguarding
• Ensure representation and coordination with external agencies including interagency working groups.
• Undertake scanning and research on protection trends and risks – develop key messaging for proposals, response plan revision etc.
• Undertake advocacy, humanitarian diplomacy and influencing with internal and external key actors.

Support to IFRC secretariat office

• With the PMER Manager lead on PGI-related inputs in the IFRC operational plans and monitor performance against identified outputs.
• Support with preparing and submitting funding proposals to donors for PGI-related work.
• Support the HoD with implementing IFRC’s commitments to PGI within the secretariat office and programs, particularly related to prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and child safeguarding policies and procedures, in conjunction with Human Resources.
• Develop systems and processes to drive the implementation of IFRC Safeguarding policies in the delegation and also ensure their integration into programming.

Confidentiality

• Maintenance of strict moral confidentiality and non-disclosure of any confidential or sensitive information.
• Organize archives of all reports and documents and treat them as confidential.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree) in Communication or Social/Behavioural Sciences (i.e. Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology or Health Education) or relevant experience - Preferred.
• Relevant graduate degree - Required.
• IMPACT Course or equivalent knowledge - Preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in a PGI-related role (protection, gender, sexual and gender-based violence, disability rights), including a proven track record in providing strategic direction and developing and delivering tools and technical advisory outcomes - Required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with community engagement approaches, direct support to survivors of violence, exploitation, or abuse, or addressing the specific needs of marginalized groups at the community level - Required.
• 3+ years of experience working in the MENA region (ideally in Syria) - Required.
• Experience working with partner organizations and in developing and adapting tools and experience and in strengthening capacities of local and national actors - Required.
• Demonstrated professional experience in the IFRC or an organization within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or in an international organization or NGO - Required.
• Demonstrated experience in applying humanitarian protection, gender, accessibility standards and guidelines and in setting up and managing accountability systems, participatory planning processes - Required.
• Experience in coaching, training, and developing local staff and volunteers in order to build long-term capacity and create ownership - Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Possesses a broad understanding of global humanitarian issues, and international humanitarian standards for Protection, gender and inclusion in disaster response and programmes - Required.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills, able to build relationships with people at all levels of the organisation across multiple countries and cultures, both in person and remotely, to build commitment and support for PGI - Required.
• Excellent project management skills, able to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously, to a high standard and deadline - Required.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills especially in rendering concepts accessible to a range of audiences - Required.
• Highly motivated, self-starter able to take initiative and lead a team or process - Required.
• Fluent in spoken and written Arabic and English - Required.
• Good command of another IFRC official language - Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; and Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
• Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
• Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development.