GBV Sub-Cluster Co-Lead – CAR (219482-927)

POSITION PENDING FUNDING.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With offices in the Bangui and in Bouar, Bambari, and Bangassou, Mercy Corps works to integrate short-term humanitarian assistance with programs to strengthen community resilience and support market-led economic development, with a cross-cutting accent on governance and gender. Mercy Corps takes a sustainable approach to its programming, seeking to change behaviors and create institutions to foster long-term development in the sectors of protection, governance, civil society capacity building, water/sanitation, and food security. Funding comes from a range of donors including the European Commission, OFDA, US Department of State, DFID, the United Nations, FIDA, and private donations. By addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of activities, Mercy Corps in CAR takes an integrated approach to ensure the greatest possible impact.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The GBV Sub-Cluster co lead will work closely with the Mercy Corps Deputy Country Director, GBV and Protection Sector Manager, GBV sub-cluster members and the Lead Agency. In coordination with the GBV Sub-Cluster coordinator (member of UNFPA), the GBV sub-cluster co-lead will oversees the GBV coordination mechanisms in Bangui and in-country that reports to the sub-cluster. Represent the GBV Sub-Cluster in the Protection Cluster, Inter-Cluster, other clusters and other for when needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Liaise with other clusters and sectors (particularly government ministries of education, gender, health, justice etc.) to ensure a multi – sectoral approach for gender mainstreaming and GBV;
• Liaise with Humanitarian Coordinators, Country Representatives, cluster leads, GBV program managers and SEA focal points advisers in other agencies and organizations (including governments, national and international NGOs and women’s groups) and in peacekeeping missions;
• Liaise with the main GBV actors to strengthen inter-agency, multi-sectoral GBV coordination groups at national and sub-regional levels
• Facilitate the review and approval of agreed-upon Standard Operating Procedures and other related policies and practices.
• Liaise with different governmental agencies to enhance an inter-agency GBV capacity development programme in line with the Global GBV AoR guidelines
• Coordinate the GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS)

Technical Leadership and strategic planning

• Carry out a rapid needs assessment of the protection needs of women and girls vis-a-vis GBV in displaced settings and areas identified at risk of violence in line with reference guidelines for GBV interventions on humanitarian assistance, and with relevant agencies;
• Review and evaluate existing decentralized coordination mechanisms and referral pathways for GBV survivors’ access to services and make recommendations to support and to strengthen coordinated approach and integrated service access/delivery for survivors;
• Ensure and facilitate the inclusion of GBV into the CAR Strategic Humanitarian Documents and other appeal processes and documents;
• Work with partners to develop and/or revise training materials according to local context, identify capacity gaps, review national training materials and guidelines according to international guidelines and standards;
• Provides technical support to the development of relevant policy and advocacy documents to address GBV and broader gender issues;
• Ensure the mainstreaming of GBV across other areas of humanitarian intervention in particular Child Protection, Shelter, WASH and Health sectors;

Coordination andMainstreaming of GBV issues

• Co-facilitate the CAR GBV Sub-Cluster at national level in partnership with UNFPA.
• With technical guidance of Protection cluster coordinator and the GBV Protection sector manager, work closely with relevant Ministries and agencies to ensure appropriate coordination and information sharing and strengthen the capacity of duty bearers to implement GBV policies, legislation and programmes.
• Mainstream and integrate GBV across the humanitarian response through the inter-cluster coordination and among the different clusters.
• Support day-to-day activities of the GBV Sub-Cluster to develop and strengthen multi-sectoral and inter-agency GBV prevention and response interventions including operationalization of referral and reporting mechanisms, information sharing, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, development of national Standard Operating Procedures, supervision of thematic Working Groups, strategy development, media relations, advocacy and technical support to partners where necessary.
• Facilitate access and advocacy to the government and local authorities at both national and local levels for problem solving, reducing barriers, clarifying, strategizing and increasing general awareness of GBV prevention and response mechanisms.
• Ensure integration of GBV issues in sectoral needs assessment, analysis, planning, monitoring and response;
• Identify and help to address capacity gaps and ensuring all actors are working in line with accepted GBV prevention and response standards;

Planning and programming

• Develop/update agreed response strategies and action plans for the sector through joint programmes, matrixes, “Who does What Where” and other tools;
• Support the identification of gaps in GBV response through field assessments and other mechanisms.

Monitoring and reporting

• Ensure adequate monitoring mechanisms are in place to review impact of the GBV sub-cluster and progress against implementation plans;
• Ensure adequate reporting to the Protection Cluster co-lead, the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Global GBV Area of Responsibility;
• Work with the GBV coordination groups to review GBV Incident Report and other relevant forms as needed in line with WHO’s Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies;
• Ensure the implementation of the Gender based violence information management system (GBVIMS) throughout the country and ensure the monthly dissemination of GBV trends and patterns;
• Undertakes regular monitoring missions and meetings with relevant actors including project partners in assessing the GBV trends and advises on the prevention and response strategies

Team Leadership

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems and training that ensure the safety and security of the team.

Organizational Learning:As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Accountability:

Reports Directly to: GBV and Protection Sector Manager

Supervisory Responsibility: none

Work directly with:

Internal: Deputy Country Director, Protection program managers

External: UNFPA GBV sub-cluster coordinator, other UNFPA staff, sub-cluster members, relevant ministries, Protection cluster coordinator/co-lead, national and international NGOs, other relevant stakeholders.

Knowledge And Experience:

• MA/S or equivalent in management, social science, international development, or other relevant field.
• Minimum 3 years’ NGO experience in protection program management position or advocacy position, with a strong orientation on GBV aspects.
• Past experience in chairing/co-chairing a cluster/working group is strongly preferred
• Willingness and ability to work in difficult environments, in often stressful time-critical situations.
• Prior experience or training in GBV issues and their application in international humanitarian settings.
• Knowledge of recognized international standards in protection and in particular in GBV (SPHERE, IASC, etc.)
• Awareness and demonstrable knowledge of gender-based violence and protection issues.
• Knowledge of humanitarian emergency operations and roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors.
• Experience working in remote emergency settings is essential. Experience in Africa and particularly working in conflict-affected zones is compulsory.
• Strong coordination skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
• Strong communication skills in French and English, including report development, writing and editing.
• Understanding of the humanitarian coordination system/ cluster approach.
• Excellent training, coaching and mentoring skills
• High level of writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
• Patience, flexibility and excellent diplomatic skills are critical.

Success Factors:

The successful candidate will have proven experience working in difficult environments and emergency contexts. S/he will have effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills with an attention to detail, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members. Essential qualities for this position are excellent advocacy skills; an ability to cope with insecurity; sensitivity to multi-cultural development work; an ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles; and be passionate about the fight against GBV.

Living/Environmental Conditions:

The Central African Republic is a nation of 4.6 million people, ranked as one of the poorest nations in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 39 years. Bangui is a capital city of about 700,000 inhabitants. It has grown more insecure following the overthrow of the previous government by the Séléka coalition last March. In previous years, Bangui was generally free of any serious threats towards international or national staff, outside of petty theft. However, carjacking and targeted looting do occur on occasion. Hospitals and access to quality health care is very limited. Malaria is prevalent. It is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive. Suitable group housing is available, but electricity and clean water are sometimes sporadic.

This position is based in Bangui, CAR and unaccompanied for spouses and/or children and includes hardship allowance and R&R benefits.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.