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Senior Gender Based Violence Program Coordinator, Kinshasa, DRC
Source: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
| Deadline: | 16 Oct 2008 |
| Organisation: | International Rescue Committee (IRC) |
| Location: | Congo (DR) |
| Type: | permanent |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | 1. ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION
Headquartered in Kinshasa, with provincial bases in Lumbumbashi, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani and Kananga, the IRC is one of the largest NGOs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The IRC aims to save lives, to strengthen Congolese institutions and to reinforce social cohesion through carefully designed and professionally-implemented programs. The IRC has been working in the DRC since 1996, initially providing a range of life-saving support to displaced and war-impacted communities. The IRC currently operates in six core programming areas - primary health care, community-driven reconstruction, the prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence, civil society development, livelihoods, and emergency preparedness and response - within seven of the DRC's eleven provinces. 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Background The provinces of North and South Kivu in eastern Congo are regarded as some of the cruellest conflict zones for women and girls in recent history. Throughout the wars, tens of thousands of women and girls have been raped, sexually assaulted, attacked and abducted. Renewed fighting in North Kivu in 2007-8 highlighted again the intense brutality with which women and girls are being targeted by all armed groups for acts of degrading sexual violence. The effects of this violence are expected to have long-lasting and far-reaching ramifications for both the affected individuals and communities. GBV Program IRC's GBV program in DRC seeks to address both the immediate and long-term needs of survivors of sexual violence, as well as the concerns of vulnerable women and girls. This will be achieved through improved access to socio-economic and educational opportunities as well as advocacy for greater protection. The project design incorporates i) emergency response to save lives and reduce suffering, ii) recovery interventions to address the long-term needs of survivors of sexual violence, and iii) post-conflict development activities to promote the empowerment and well-being of women and girls in the private and public spheres. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES The Senior GBV Program Coordinator is responsible for providing overall leadership, guidance, coordination and technical support to IRC's GBV programs and advocacy efforts to prevent and mitigate sexual violence in DRC. The Senior GBV Program Coordinator will provide regular on-site monitoring visits, and continuous remote support to the teams in South and North Kivu to ensure that all interventions are technically sound, take into account international best practices, and are appropriate in meeting the needs of GBV survivors and affected communities. The Senior GBV Coordinator works in close collaboration with the GBV Technical Unit in New York, and is supervised by the Director of Programs in Kinshasa. Sector Strategy and Program Development Use information from North and South Kivu to inform and refine medium and long-term strategic planning for GBV programming and advocacy in DRC, ensuring IRC adapts interventions according to the changing needs and security situations in the East. Develop and systematically update a GBV sector strategy document for IRC DRC to inform future opportunities for programming in-line with IRC's strategic plan and Global GBV Strategy and related proposal development. Actively contribute to the broader strategic planning processes in DRC, ensuring that GBV interventions and advocacy initiatives are included. Program Quality and Technical Oversight In collaboration with GBV program staff, the Technical Advisor and the Director of Programs, oversee the quality of design, monitoring and evaluation of GBV proposals and programming in DRC. Ensure that ethical and sound data collection and information management systems are in-place to collate and analyze data for problem analysis, planning, evaluation, and advocacy. Information should also be used to compile and prepare quality periodic program reports and other information as required by donors, the regional office and the Technical Unit. Assist in developing and managing program budgets to ensure an appropriate and efficient use of resources, ensuring that IRC GBV projects and related partnership projects are implemented monitored in a timely manner which complies with donors and internal requirements. Assist with developing staff capacity building plans and design; ensure training is provided to staff on GBV-related professional skills as well as on project management skills. Assess the quality of services produced by the IRC program and partners organizations, and provide technical support as necessary. Provide regular oral and written feedback to GBV management staff and contribute to their performance reviews as required. Assist with the recruitment of GBV management-level staff as needed. Ensure regular communication with the GBV Technical Advisor in New York. Oversee GBV program evaluation and research initiatives. Internal Coordination Develop, implement and promote techniques and systems for effective team communication and support between Kinshasa and the East, and between South and North Kivu provinces, including regular GBV program meetings and debriefing processes. Participate in joint IRC assessments, planning and program design initiatives as required and provide guidance and technical support to sector-specific intervention design and delivery to maximize safety for women and girls, for example in the distribution of non-food items and delivery of social services. Coordinate with other IRC staff members implementing programs linked to GBV issues and provide relevant input and support whenever required. Representation and External Coordination Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Kinshasa, Goma and Bukavu, including donors, MONUC, UN agencies, international NGOs, government ministries and other relevant actors. Liaise with GBV Program staff in Goma and Bukavu to ensure IRC participation in relevant meetings in North and South Kivu. Identify opportunities for IRC to collaborate with existing coordination mechanisms, including the Initiative Conjointe and relevant GBV working groups in Kinshasa, Goma and Bukavu. Advocacy & Communications In conjunction with the Policy & Advocacy Advisor: - Update IRC's policy positions on sexual violence in DRC - Develop and implement a short- and long-term IRC advocacy strategy on sexual violence in DRC and internationally - Address media interest on GBV issues in DRC with messages consistent with IRC's in-country policy and in a manner that raises IRC's profile while ensuring compliance with IRC's guidelines around the respect of the rights and confidentiality of survivors. Upon request, organize and facilitate meetings and field visits for stakeholders interested in GBV in DRC. 4. REQUIREMENTS Required 1. Advanced degree in public health, social work, public policy or another related field 2. At least five years of overseas experience, including substantial senior management experience in gender-based violence programming; 3. Ability to design culturally-appropriate projects which protect and uphold women's rights. 4. Strong analytical, project planning, management, interpersonal, and communication skills. 5. Ability to write clear and concise reports and other documents. 6. Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player. 7. Have the ability and interest to work with a diverse and multicultural team in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner. 8. Strong computer skills: must be competent in the use of Windows, MS office programs (Word, Excel), email programs. Desired 1. Fluency in both French and English, both spoken and written. 2. Experience with information management systems and data analysis 3. Strong budget management ability, ideally with USG funding. |
