Delegate, Protection, Gender and Inclusion

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 contributing 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 are 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 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.

IFRC is committed to Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) as per Strategic priority 5 (Values, Power, and Inclusion) under Strategy 2023, The Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) Policy (2022) and IFRC PGI operational framework 2022-2025 that operationalizes the Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) Policy, IFRC Strategy and all related commitments to ensure strengthened Institutional PGI capacity, composition and commitment, comprehensive PGI approach in operations and programmes and strengthened advocacy, partnerships and learning. 

The conflict in DRC with the M23 resumed in October 2023 and intensified in the 1st quarter of 2024. The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in North Kivu province continued to rise, reaching 1,561,676 IDPs on March 29, 2024 (IOM), and 1.73 million IDPs on January 31, 2024 (OCHA). More than 127,000 displaced people from North Kivu were received in Minova (South Kivu) between February and March 2024. The protection situation is exacerbated with multiple displacement of people fleeing to safe areas, lack of safety and security, living in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters without adequate access to water, sanitation facilities and health services. This has resulted in increased risk of child abuse, sexual and gender-based violence including sexual exploitation and abuse, negative coping mechanisms, malnutrition, water-borne diseases and other health complications.  

The PGI delegate will report to the Head of the Country Cluster Delegation and engage with other thematic file holders to advance PGI. The role is focused on supporting DRC RC and delegation in strengthening Institutional PGI capacity and commitment, comprehensive PGI approach in operations and programmes and strengthened advocacy, partnerships, and learning. The role will maintain technical coordination with the Regional PGI Coordinator, based in Nairobi and be part of the extended team of the HDCC Unit that includes the PGI team.

Job Purpose

The PGI Delegate provides technical guidance on matters related to protection, gender and diversity and inclusion in the design, implementation and monitoring of all aspects of the operation, with the objective to reduce the risks of violence, exploitation, abuse, discrimination or exclusion, in particular for marginalised groups.

This entails guidance to ensure that all operations respect the principles of humanity, impartiality, and non-discrimination, avoid harmful effects and put people at the centre of all activities by ensuring the dignity, access, participation, and safety of people affected by the disaster, guided by an understanding of their different needs, vulnerabilities, and capacities.

It includes providing technical guidance to the National Societies and IFRC staff involved in the emergency operation, on assessment, analysis and prevention, mitigation and response on themes such as child protection, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) , trafficking in human beings, disability inclusion and restoring family links – as well as for any specific situations or groups requiring protection and inclusion that are specific to the operational context.  

The PGI Delegate role typically includes two aspects:

1) ensuring PGI concerns are mainstreamed throughout all sectors of the operation (based on the IFRC PGI minimum standards), and

2) where feasible and appropriate – developing and implementing specialised protection or inclusion programmes that directly address specific concerns and require expert support (e.g. developing referral pathways, case management protocols, direct support to survivors).

The PGI Delegate will therefore maintain close technical working relations with sectorial counterparts, Heads of Country Cluster delegation, PGI team at the Regional Office and DRC Red Cross PGI focal points.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Technical duties and responsibilities

• Provide guidance on PGI aspects to IFRC sectoral counterparts and National Societies involved in the emergency response. This will normally include guidance on the PGI aspects of safeguarding, in collaboration with OIAI, HR and Legal counterparts.
• Lead the technical design, implementation, and monitoring of the mainstreamed and dedicated PGI activities and projects (including Safeguarding)
• Ensuring PGI mainstreamed and dedicated projects and activities are included in the Operational Strategy / Emergency Appeal and ensuring their effective incorporation and transition into annual action plans. Reviewing and updating the PGI (and Safeguarding) sections of the Operational Strategy and any subsequent annual action plan on a regular basis.
• Lead the monitoring, evaluation and reporting tasks for PGI in the operation including pledge reporting on the PGI earmarked allocation.
• Work with technical sector counterparts of the operation to ensure that all programmes in the response are implemented in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescents Minimum Standards for PGI in Emergencies and the response promotes the dignity, access, participation and safety of women, men, girls, and boys.
• Seek out opportunities for collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the region to further explore technical peering and partnership beneficial to the emergency response.
• Support the technical capacity requirements and development of NS and IFRC teams/sectors in identified areas of need.

Coordination for quality programming

• Coordinate technical matters and support with Movement partners (ICRC and PNSs) and interagency groups.
• Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the PGI in programming guided by common strategic, principled, and practical PGI objectives, working towards increased PGI impact in line with the regional and country-level strategies.
• Coordinate and guide the development of context-specific analysis of PGI related risk patterns to determine priorities and establish corresponding strategies and actions.
• Coordinate the identification of needs and gaps in PGI capacity throughout the operation and guides the way forward to address them.
• Oversee adequate and relevant capacity building activities to ensure NS staff and volunteers are adequately trained and acquire the requisite PGI knowledge and competences to remain accountable and avoid doing harm.

 Support to IFRC delegation in DRC

• Support with preparing and submitting funding proposals to donors for PGI-related work.
• With the PMER Manager lead on PGI-related inputs in the IFRC operational plans and monitor performance against identified outputs.
• Support the HoD and Operations Manager 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.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

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

Education

• University degree in social sciences, health, humanities, or related field—or equivalent practical experience.
• Master’s degree in related field.
• IMPACT or equivalent knowledge

Experience

• A minimum 3-5 years of relevant professional humanitarian experience, including experience in programming and coordination, and field work.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in managing teams in a matrix model approach (including direct line management as well as technical line management in different location).
• Extensive field experience (minimum 5 years) in both complex humanitarian contexts, including humanitarian emergency responses, and development
• Understanding and experience working in partnership-based and peering approaches with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in designing and managing projects, appeals, and funds from different donors.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Advanced knowledge of PGI topics, standards, approaches, and policies.
• Strong team player, supportive, empathetic, and dedicated.
• Experience in remote working and remote technical support.
• Excellent computer literacy (MS office applications including Word, Excel and Power-point and Internet skills).
• Excellent communication skills and ability to liaise with international organisations’ counterparts and RCRC Movement senior management and leadership
• Strong knowledge of project cycle management.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment as well as to communicate in such environment.
• Knowledge about National Societies and RC/RC Movement.
• Fluent spoken and written French and English.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Female applications are highly recommended.