Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview

The Safe Programming officer is responsible to ensure the implementation of safe programming principles which includes meaningful access to services, priority safety and dignity, accountability, participation and empowerment across IRC sectors and support the implementation of IRC internal initiatives gender equality, Women at Work (W@W) groups and safeguarding. These may include protection risk analysis and Safe Programming assessments using Protection Mainstreaming Monitoring and Evaluation System (ProMMS) tools and IRC’s Gender Analysis toolkit and global protection cluster guidance; including through safety audits, community dialogues, FGDs, KIIs and household visits while documenting the outcomes. The safe programming officer is also responsible to provide training on safe programming, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) guideline and gender mainstreaming.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Actively contribute to the quality of design, management, and monitoring and evaluation of emergency CPE programming around assignments including Refugee, IDP, and development CPE programs.

• Represent IRC’s Child Protection and Education programs in sub-cluster coordination meetings.

• Collect relevant and up-to-date information/data about emergencies in the area of assignment, Jijiga FO.

• Document lessons learned in child protection and education projects and ensure that lessons are translated into program improvements.

• Provide technical guidance to the child protection and education team in close collaboration with the CPE Unit at the Country Office and with the FC for Jijiga.

• Support the field team to achieve the project objectives on time and budget.

• Actively engage in budget proposals on new opportunities.

• Gather updated information regarding the humanitarian needs of crisis-affected communities on the ground.

• Liaise, coordinate, and work closely with IRC operational staff (i.e. HR, Supply Chain, and      Finance at JJ and AA) to ensure timely and effective program planning and implementation, and to jointly address issues affecting program delivery as they arise.

•  Collect and review monthly, quarterly, and annual reports from the child protection and education officers and submit them to the CPE TU at AA. 

Project Planning and Implementation

• Support the field team to develop work plans, IF preparation, IR preparation, and spending plans promptly using the Integra System and liaise with Addis based technical team for procuring goods and services with accurate specifications and realistic costs.

• Provide onsite technical support for the quality implementation of projects in collaboration with the field team and Addis-based technical team.

• Set up periodic check-in calls/meetings with the field team (emergency) to update progress, spot bottlenecks, and suggest and implement solutions.

• Actively participate in the project cycle meetings to reflect on the needs, success, and challenges of the project and document and apply lessons learned.

• Meaningfully contribute to the design, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of the projects based on INEE Minimum Standards, CP Minimum Standards, and SPHERE Protection Standards.

• Monitor budgets versus actual expenditures (BvA) every month and guide the field team to take appropriate action based on the status of spending on a specific project.

• Document the number of clients in each project with age and gender disaggregated and file for future use and reporting.

Grant Monitoring and Reporting

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide support for the team in the field for taking corrective measures.

• Document key findings of the internal and external assessments for planning purposes.

• Review reports from the field and provide feedback.

• Draft/review reports and share them with the Grants Unit within the given timeframe.

• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator to ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and inputs are provided promptly.

Staff Management and Development

• Engage in technical supervision and training of field staff to fulfill the minimum skills set across both the child protection and education sectors.

• Share insights on the performance management of field staff with the Senior CPE Manager and Field Coordinators.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and guiding to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions and support them for personal staff development plans.

• Collaborating and coordinating with other sectors when necessary.   

• Engage and maintain effective/professional working relationships with key partners, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors in emergency and recovery programs at the field level.

• Represent IRC in coordination and working group meetings at appropriate levels to share experiences and challenges with other actors. 

Representation, Coordination and Advocacy

• Collaborating and coordinating with other sectors when necessary.   

• Engage and maintain effective/professional working relationships with key partners, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors in emergency and recovery programs at the field level.

• Represent IRC in coordination and working group meetings at appropriate levels to share experiences and challenges with other actors. 

Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• MA/BA in Social Work or Educational Planning and Management (EDPM); Educational Leadership, Development Management; Development Economics or related field of studies.

• 3 years for MA holders and 4 years for BA holders relevant experience in international NGOs preferably in a protracted refugee context; and at least two years of managerial experience.

• Excellent professional track record with a minimum of 2 years of management-level experience within an NGO working in child protection/education in emergency/ humanitarian program implementation in conflict or immediate post-conflict environments

• Experience in managing and/or technically supporting emergency programs related to child protection or education.

Preferred experience & skills: 

• Strong monitoring and evaluation experience.

• Proposal and report writing skills.

• Computer literate.

• Experience in working with multicultural and diversified workforce.

• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, and maintain attention to detail.

Language Skills: 

• Proficient in English writing and speaking skills and the ability to speak the local language is advantageous.

How To Apply

How to apply:

• Register using the following link CLICK HERE

• Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

• Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

• Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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 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