Prevention Officer

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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting IDPs, refugees and various institutions in the country notably the government, community based organizations, the civil society and the private sector. The current program portfolio in Uganda includes health, economic recovery and development, protection, and prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV). IRC has its country office in Kampala and works in Yumbe/Bidibidi, Arua/Imvepi and Omugo, Kitgum, Moroto, Kiryandongo and Kyegegwa/Kyaka. 

IRC is the lead protection Implementing partner in for UNHCR in Yumbe bidibidi settlement. IRC is part of the inter-agency coordination forum as well as participating in the various technical working groups at settlement and district level (Nutrition, Mental health, health, Protection, GBV). With funding from BPRM and UNCHR, the IRC is implementing Women Protection and Empowerment activities including the provision of comprehensive response services to survivors of GBV and conducting GBV prevention activities within Bidibidi settlement.

SCOPE OF WORK

The WPE Prevention Officer will lead IRC GBV Prevention activities and the roll out of behavioral change methodologies like adolescent girls programming (Girl Shine), Male Engagement (ToT and roll out) and advocacy on the prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment and Abuse in Bidibidi Settlement. He /she will be the focal person for coordinating actions with other stakeholders to prevent GBV in the community while mentoring and building the capacity of the team to implement GBV prevention Activities. Reporting to the WPE Manager, the Officer will be tasked to prepare regular weekly and monthly reports, work plans and budget forecasts for the team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program design and implementation

• ·Reinforce adherence to the GBV guiding principles throughout all WPE activities.
• Ensure that engagement with women, girls and the wider community adheres to best-practice principles when working with survivors of GBV
• Work with the Community structures to train them and mentor them to conduct outreaches and sessions on GBV
• Prepare and maintain/update detailed work plan(s) with the structures that support and achieve activities.
• Hold regular debriefing feedback sessions with structures to identify challenges early and find appropriate local solutions to the problems and work to strengthen the working relation among the teams and with staff.
• Provide ongoing supervision, support, mentoring and guidance to WPE Prevention team, and Volunteers to ensure outreach activities meet the highest quality standards and adheres to GBV best practice and guiding principles.
• Create and consolidate strong synergies with the local community stakeholders like Protection partners, LCs, women groups, the religious leaders and government counter parts the police and the health to support local activism at sub county level.
• Plan and mobilize communities to participate in community mass awareness events like women’s day, Day of the Girl child, World Refugee day and 16 days of activism
• Ensure timely and accurate procurements and finances for activities by ensuring all Purchase Requests and payment requests are raised at least two weeks before delivery date in accordance with program budget provisions to avoid disruption of activities.

Monitoring and Documentation

• Document all activities: Meetings, Trainings, and Events, Field monitoring e. t. c. using appropriate documentation and reporting tools in the sector as required and ensure that all documents/data collected is properly and safely filed and stored

• Actively plan and submit weekly and monthly work plans and progress reports against set work plans using agreed reporting tools to the Manager.
• Develop, reprint and distribute IEC materials on behavioral change and awareness aspects.
• Prepare and share weekly and monthly reports as required.

Coordination and Representation

• ·Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, Community Based Organizations and other IRC sectors to enhance multi-agency and sectoral cooperation and coordination.
• Ensure that the community of operation is consulted in the development of Women’s Protection and Empowerment programs and as much as possible are involved in the implementation, monitoring and supervision of activities
• Participate actively in all zonal protection and GBV Coordination meetings while proactively sharing updates

Key Working Relationships

Position reports to: WPE Manager

Position directly supervises: Assistant Prevention Officers

Other internal and/or external contacts

Internal: Close coordination with IRC Protection, M&E, Finance, HR, and Operations

External: Close collaboration with donors, local actors (local NGOs, UN agencies, government) and service providers.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

 Deadline for receiving applications is August 1,2024

Professional Standards:

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, and Anti-Retaliation

Minimum Qualifications:

• ·University degree in Social Sciences (i.e. social work, counseling, sociology, psychology, gender studies, human rights, etc.).
•   At least 2 years of experience in working in the social sector, particularly in GBV Prevention with refugees.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and analytical skills and ability to present ideas effectively, in both oral and written form.
•   Ability to communicate sensitively and without judgment; good diplomatic and persuasion skills.
•  Ability to use good judgment when making decisions and to take accountability for decisions made.
• Emotional maturity and stability to resolve conflicts in non-violent way and maintain appropriate boundaries.
•   Good interpersonal skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships.
•   Ability to handle multiple tasks; proven self-initiative and problem solving abilities.
•   Good computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, and Power Point
•   Be able to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.