Women’s Protection and Empowerment Lead

**Work Arrangement:**

**Job Description**

**BACKGROUND**

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

In 2007, the IRC began providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and crisis-affected people in Jordan in response to an influx of Iraqi refugees and the strain on host communities. Following the eruption of the Syrian war in 2011, hundreds of thousands of refugees crossed into Jordan. The ongoing insecurity in Syria and the growing needs of refugees have strained Jordan’s resources and infrastructure and exacerbated pre-existing issues like water scarcity and high unemployment.

As resources become more limited, refugees and host communities have fewer economic opportunities and become more vulnerable. The IRC’s new strategy for Jordan shows our commitment to improving the safety, health, education, and economic well-being of people affected by conflict, in camp-based (Za’atari, and Azraq camps) refugees and urban-based refugees, and in coordination with the humanitarian community and the Government of Jordan.

**JOB OVERVIEW**

The WPE Lead’s main responsibilities are to provide guidance and leadership to the Jordan WPE program – from design stage to implementation to learning.. The WPE Lead will provide overall strategic guidance to the WPE team and local partners and ensure the smooth implementation of direct and indirect services to guarantee that the goals and objectives of the WPE program are met according to the Theory of Change (ToC). The WPE Lead will work closely with Technical Units and other sectors to effectively harmonize and integrate the WPE program across the different sub-sectors of IRC with ECD, ERC, and health, bringing them in line to have integrated and high-quality services to clients.

The WPE Lead will manage other specific duties & responsibilities including Business Development & Context Analysis/Research, Award Management (PCM, Budget Management, Reporting, and Monitoring), Staff/Talent Management & Performance, External Relationships, Partnerships & Coordination. The WPE Lead will report to the Senior Programs Lead.

**SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

*Strategic Management and Technical Quality*

· Provide overall strategic direction, leadership, and management of the WPE program in line with the safety sector components of the IRC’s country strategy called Strategic Action Plan (SAP) in Jordan, along with the implementation of key strategic ambitions including Client, Partnerships, Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI).

· Ensure quality project delivery, reporting, and strong compliance with international and national standards as well as the existing donors.

· Work collaboratively to integrate the WPE program with other program sectors where appropriate, particularly with ERD, Health, and ECD programming.

· Actively support the WPE manager(s) in developing, implementing, and monitoring WPE interventions in their area of operation, including prevention, response, and capacity-building services.

· Ensure and follow up on assigned project leads, to continuously manage and update their project Dashboards to ensure quality management of the project in terms of identified indicators, targets, and budget.

· Conduct regular field visits to identify opportunities for expansion and improvements in program efficiency and quality.

· Conduct regular communication and program meetings with program managers, to ensure the delivery of services in a timely and effective manner.

· Understand the latest innovative program modalities & trends to contribute to greater WPE program quality, innovation, and impact.

*Business Development* & *Context Analysis/Research*

· Explore increased, flexible, diverse, and stable funding opportunities for the WPE program to scale IRC’s impact, influence, and innovations in support of vulnerable people, with an emphasis on funding across the humanitarian-development nexus.

· Develop plans for program evolution for follow-up funding with existing donors and new donors

· Ensure a client-centered approach in partnership with local actors to provide systems strengthening, equitable access to services, and policy influence in the WPE sector.

· Lead and coordinate the technical development of new proposals and initiatives for IRC Jordan in line with the Strategic Action Plan (SAP), in line with Business Development SOPs.

· Develop and coordinate budgets for program proposals in conjunction with the WPE manager(s), grants, and finance departments, along with budget and project modification activities.

· Conduct impact evaluations or studies on best practices for program modality evolution.

· Ensure needs assessment, research studies, key data, and desk reviews are in place for advocacy points.

· Monitor, track and analyze trends/patterns and the latest data on overall Protection in Jordan, including GBV, to propose project interventions for greater current and future programming, but to also monitor outcome level contribution per implementing site and overall.

· Regularly update/review sector context analysis and prepare pitch presentations for new/current donors, INGOs, NGOs, etc. for better positioning.

*Award Management*

· Provide overall guidance to the WPE team and ensure smooth implementation of direct and indirect services to guarantee that the goals and objectives of the WPE program are met according to the Theory of Change (ToC) and approved grants.

· Review and monitor detailed program spending, procurement, and work plans for the WPE program as managed and implemented by the relevant team to ensure high-quality implementation.

· Ensure the Project Cycle Meetings (PCM) are prepared and conducted in accordance with guidance by WPE manager(s) or directly and that action points are followed-up promptly.

· Review quality and timely technical aspects of internal and external reports prepared by the managers within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, and according to the Narrative Reports Writing SOPs.

· Provide support and oversight to program managers on Budget vs. Actual reports according to the budget management SOPs and bring any over/under expenditure issues to the attention of the SMT, Senior Programs Lead, Grants, and Finance teams along with proposed corrective actions.

· Develop and update program-relevant SOPs with reference to the IMPACT framework to ensure guide quality of implementation.

· Regularly collect and analyze outcome-level data for informed project results and future designs.

*Staff/Talent Management & Performance*

· Recruit, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies including Proposal and Reports Writing, PCM Management, Budget Management, Reporting, and Evaluation.

· Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.

· Approve and manage attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews

· As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these by the National Staff Employment Policies

· Adhere to and act by the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations

*External Relationships, Partnerships & Coordination*

· Lead and develop IRC’s strategic relationship with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Social Development and Family Protection Department in Jordan, and represent IRC’s WPE program with government, civil society, private sector, and academic stakeholders.

· Revise and monitor the delivery of IRC Jordan’s WPE program and ensure that program implementation decisions are grounded in strong assessments of local and governmental partners and systems.

· In collaboration with the Senior Management Team (SMT), cultivate strong relationships with potential implementing partners, donors, embassies, and key multilateral stakeholders to build IRC’s visibility as the WPE partner of choice in Jordan.

· Actively develop and lead in different coordination forums, including the partners’ meetings, and protection coordination meetings, and ensure similar coordination is effective at the camp and governorate national levels.

· In collaboration with the WPE Technical Unit, support the development and adaptation of CSO and system-strengthening program components

· Upon request by the Senior Management Team (SMT), organize and facilitate field visits for stakeholders interested in IRC’s programming in Jordan

· Collaborate effectively with peer leads for greater integration and ease of communication

· Conduct regular calls with Technical Advisors at regional and global level that are documented and lead to program quality

**KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS**

**Position Reports to** Senior Programs Lead
**Position directly supervises** WPE Program Manager, Senior Capacity Building Officer, and Senior Program Officer.

**Indirect Reporting:** Deputy Director of Programs/Country Director

**Other Internal:** IRC Technical Advisors, Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Finance, Other Program Leads, Program Managers, M&E Lead, Partnership Lead, Grants Lead

**Other External:** Relevant other stakeholders, e.g., UN bodies, local and national authorities.

**Qualifications**

**JOB REQUIREMENTS**

· University degree in an gender studies or relevant field such as social sciences, health, psychology, economics, business, management, international affairs, or relevant degree.

· Minimum of 7 years of professional experience designing, managing, and implementing gender equality and programs with focus on protection and women’s empowerment in both humanitarian and development contexts.

· Strong knowledge, understanding and application of gender equality and women’s empowerment and protection concepts and frameworks

· Demonstrated successful experience in capacity building, project design, and program coordination

· Demonstrable experience working with local partners in the delivery of WPE/protection programs, as well as working with the Ministry of Social Development and Directorates of Family Protection Department on system support and system strengthening initiatives.

· Experience working with and coordinating with donors, UN bodies, NGOs, INGOs, and other stakeholders.

· Strong writing and analytical skills, including with M&E and assessment data framework for use in program decision-making and humanitarian advocacy.

· Competent in Windows, MS office programs, emails, and relevant databases such as Primero.

· Fluent in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

**Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:**

· Promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible, and able to handle pressure with professional grace

· Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and manage human resources.

· Demonstrated strong interpersonal and intercultural communication with success working both within a team and independently.

· Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

The deadline for applying is April 10, 2024.

**Standards of Professional Conduct:** 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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

**Gender Equality:** IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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.

**IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.**