WPE Senior Response Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a private, non-political, non-profit, non-religious organization with its global humanitarian relief tasks for more than 80 years since 1933. Today, the IRC continues to bring swift emergency relief and development to the vulnerable and the displaced people in more than 40 countries. IRC has been working in Myanmar since May 2008, initially supporting emergency response and early recovery interventions for communities affected by Cyclone Nargis. Since then, IRC has responded to natural emergencies, such as floods and Cyclone Giri as well as conflict, such as conflict in Rakhine and Kachin states. TheIRCiscommittedtoimplementingqualityprogrammingtoimprovethewellbeingofthemostvulnerablepopulationsintheareasoflivelihoods,waterandsanitation,health,andsocialdevelopment.IRCprogrammingreflectsacommitmenttosustainablesolutions,andbelievesthisisachievedthroughparticipatoryapproachessuchascommunitydrivendevelopment,communitydisasterriskreduction,andcapacitybuildingoflocalpartners.

Program Summary

Inter-communal violence between Buddhist and Muslim populations in June and October 2012 resulted in at least 140,000 people displaced across Rakhine State – around 100,000 of which are in Sittwe Township across 23 registered IDP camps. Displaced from their homes and at risk of violence, women and girls continue to live in fear as has been documented by a number of assessments and stakeholders in Rakhine. Protection and safety measures inside the camps remain critical particularly in terms of addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, such as households headed by single females, as well as widows, elderly and the disabled.

Since 2014, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been implementing Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) programming in both Muslim and Rakhine communities in Sittwe. Supported by the UK Department for International Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and building on previous support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), its activities focus on treating the consequences, and reducing the risk of GBV perpetuated against women and girls. IRC implements core activities to respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through case management and psychosocial support services, implemented through Women and Girls’ wellness Centers. It also works to address the root causes of gender-based violence through prevention-focused activities that draw together activists and communities to fight for change.

In order to strengthen the quality of its existing programming and to assess and document lessons from new approaches, IRC is seeking to hire a WPE Senior Response Officer.

 Job Overview/Summary:

The WPE Senior Response Officer will see overall GBV Response activities in all 17 WPE Project sites in Sittwe through 8 Women’s and Girl’s Wellness Center (WGWC) as well as through 9 IRC health clinics as integration activities. She will coordinate with WPE Senior Manager and Manager in developing program strategy and design at identified service locations according to context, capacity, and local needs. The Senior Response Officer will directly supervise and provide technical support to WPE Response Officers and indirectly supervise to WPE Program Assistant-Sittwe office to the productive day-to-day operation of Response activities. These activities include GBV programming –case management, coordination with GBV actors and other stakeholders to provide referrals and quality services, psychosocial support group sessions, livelihood activities and also provide trainings to other INGOs, NGO, CBOs, CMCs and government actors. She will be responsible for hiring, providing training, and supervising staff at these locations, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operation of response activities. Additionally, she will serve as the lead and focal point in representing camp activities to donors, visitors, and external partners, as well as in coordinating special events at camp project sites. The position will be based in IRC Sittwe office with often travel to project sites.

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Quality

• Develop strategies for strengthening of GBV programming according to identified service gaps and community needs.
• Provide direct technical support to Response officers, female program assistant in provision of case management services and conducting psychosocial support group sessions.
• Manage and organize in providing emergency assistance to vulnerable women and girls, and distribution of NFIs to vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Support the team as focal person for any emergency response
• Conduct Quarterly skill assessment for senior case worker and case workers to promote capacity and skillfulness of staffs who are providing direct services to GBV survivors.
• Provide TOT to field based staffs in terms of response services and guidance in using GBVIMS.
• Conduct TOT on PSSG and refresher training to field based response staffs in terms of case management, PSS, advance PSS and its related trainings.
• Coordinate with senior training officer to support in providing the case management and its related trainings to government actors.
• Conduct weekly case review meeting for technical guidance in case management and ad hoc meeting for urgent needs and emergency cases.
• Ensure the updated referral and service mapping monthly for all project location in Sittwe
• Ensure proper tracking for response activities, storage in soft and hard copies according to Data Protection protocol in GBVIMS.
• Work closely with WPE M&E manager to make sure data validation and accuracy of case data.
• Support WPE Project Assistants (office and camp based) to be smooth running of operation activities and promote coordination with other departments as necessary.
• Address any technical issue raised by the Response team.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly Supervise two Response Officers
• Indirect supervise the field based response team and the two project assistants based in Sittwe office
• In collaboration with the Response Officers and program officer-Urban, ensure the proper implementation of GBV case management services through GBVIMS across all program sites; ensure referral pathways are clearly mapped and work to improve their effectiveness through outreach and coordination with other sectors.
• Organize monthly case management meetings to discuss challenges, plans for ongoing and new activities.
• Oversee the startup of new activities, including Psychosocial Support Groups, and livelihoods activities.
• Ensure the monitoring data are correct according to GBVIMS.
• Provide general guidance and technical support as needed
• Support staff capacity and administrative tasks.
• Facilitate weekly Officer Meetings to discuss program challenges and plans for ongoing and new activities

Coordination & Representation

• Coordination and collaboration with WPE team members and other departments such as health program and RERA program in implementation of integration activities, promotion of capacity building.
• Serve as The IRC’s GBV focal point in implementation of GBV program in Rakhine. Coordinate with GBV actors in Rakhine and attend GBV sub sector meeting as representative of IRC.
• Represent WPE among donors, visitors and external partners.
• Attend regular CMC meetings and CCCM Meeting to represent WPE, share updates and key issues, advocate as needed, and receive feedback regarding program activities and community needs
• Attend meetings with NGO staffs or in the community on behalf of the WPE program
• Conduct meeting with government actors (polices) to advocate the safety and security issues for women & girls and prevent & response GBV in collaborative approaches.
• Respond to community and beneficiary complaints in a timely and professional manner, with support from the WPE Manager as needed
• Liaise with external partners, including the health and protection sectors, and advocate as needed

Other

• Submit monthly and quarterly report on a regular basic to WPE Senior Manager and WPE M&E manager.
• Prepare and complete financial documentation as needed to support program activities.
• Other tasks assigned by supervisor.

General program support

• Contribute to the strategic vision and planning of WPE programs and activities in collaboration with WPE Managers and Officers, including identifying program gaps and areas for growth and improvement, and developing creative solutions to existing challenges
• Support WPE team to streamline and improve all WPE activities operating smoothly and effectively under a positive working environment.
• Assist in the organization and facilitation of Focus Group Discussions as requested.
• Lead the coordination of special events and activities, including 16 Days of Activism and International Women’s Day.
• Represent IRC and the Program professionally and competently at all times.
• Promote GBV Guiding Principles of safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination and respect throughout all WPE activities.

Key Working Relationships:

Position directly Reports to:WPE Manager

Position indirectly Reports to: WPE Senior Manager and M&E Manager

Position directly supervises:WPE Response Officers

Position indirectly supervises: WPE Project Assistants (Sittwe office)

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experiences.

Experiences

• Demonstrated working experience with women and girls especially on GBV response and prevention activities.
• Demonstrated working experience of designing and delivery trainings and workshops
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to design and facilitate trainings and workshops

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and support their ongoing professional development
• A very strong understanding of WPE concepts, including the root cause of GBV and its harmful effects on individuals and communities
• A clear knowledge of guiding principles for working with GBV survivors and the GBV case management process
• Commitment to reducing GBV in the community, empowering women and girls, and providing support to GBV survivors
• Understanding of local context, sensitivities, and needs regarding GBV issues
• Strong vision for WPE program development
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse groups and individuals, including community leaders, donors, beneficiaries, and staff
• Able to effectively supervise a team, by providing strong guidance, technical support, knowledge, active listening, and leading by example
• Flexible and patient in adaption to evolving program needs
• Able to independently and creatively solve day to day challenges as they arise
• Creative and able to adjust programming based on context and evolving needs
• Self-starter who is motivated to proactively address program gaps and strengthen existing activities
• Organized with attention to detail

Language

• Fluent in Burmese and strong in English Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing

Working Environment:

This position will be based in Sittwe Office, Rakhine State.

• To coordinate with- WPE team, Operation team, Finance team, M&E team, Other sectors related GBV programing within IRC, Other external GBV program actors including CBOs
• Accommodation of non-local staff is in accordance with housing allowance policy.