Islamic Relief is an international relief and development charity founded in 1984 with its headquarters in Birmingham, UK. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities - regardless of race, religion or gender. The office officially started operation in Ethiopia in 2004. Islamic Relief Ethiopia (IRE) is operational in the Somali Regional State with a base office in Jigjiga, Hargelle, Elkere, Bare, GG and Dekasuftu, Afar Regional State; Ewa, Awra and Gulina; Oromia regional State, West Harergeye, Chiro and Meayso Woredas, Borena zone, Yabello, Dubluk, Dire and Elewaye woredas  and an additional operational office in Addis Ababa. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.islamic-relief.org/work-with-us

IRE is looking for a highly qualified and dedicated Gender and Protection Officer with professional experience in integrating gender, protection and inclusion on health system strengthening and enhancing equitable health systems program. The project aims to address the long-term health needs of vulnerable communities in Tulo District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The project’s Intermediate Outcomes aim to strengthen the delivery of safe, equitable, and patient-centered healthcare services by healthcare providers and improve the use of essential maternal, sexual, and reproductive health services for women, men, girls, and boys in Tulo District. 

Under the direct supervision of Health Project Manager and technical support of the PSI Coordinator in the Country Office the Gender and Protection Officer will works towards achieving “Leave no one behind” and “Do no harm” agendas to be integrated into all Islamic Relief Ethiopia programs in West Harerge area coordination office and ensures commitments towards Core Humanitarian Standards and inclusion Charter. The candidate must have the ability to forge strong partnerships with key stakeholders to meet objectives.

Key working Relationship

• Work closely with the PSI Coordinator focal person at country office on GBV, CP, gender, and safeguarding issues

• Work closely with thematic area coordinators, project managers, project officers, and focal persons (Gender and child protection focal persons)

• The following issues, communications and enquiries coming from the Country Office focal person (Gender, Child Protection, Age and Disability) are addressed in a timely manner to ensure mainstreaming of inclusion and protection into IR programmes in West Harerge.

• Work closely with PDQA department at CO and follow CHS commitments and accountability components are addressed in all IR programmes in West Harerge.

• Channel key recommendations and messaging to IR Advocacy initiatives, as necessary, to influence policy and practice inclusion and protection where we operate.

• Work with key stakeholders within the region/zone to build their capacity for protection and inclusion, which includes child protection, prevention of GBV, inclusion of all ages and disabilities, and accountable systems.

Key Responsibilities

• With the support of PSI Coordinator in the Country office, organize basic Case management, GBV, SRHR and psychosocial support (PSS), PSEAH training for staff, government service providers and community volunteers.

• Work with the community mobilization team and volunteers to conduct community education to increase awareness among both men and women on reproductive health issues including prevention GBV and SGBV, Reproductive health, Sexual Reproductive health awareness pregnancy care, safe deliveries assisted by skilled providers at health facilities, and recognition of danger signs during pregnancy and delivery.

• Provides individual and group Psychosocial Support and counselling to child and adult beneficiaries/survivors either directly or through supporting health/social workers.

• Provide technical guidance on integration of the survivor-centered approach into PSEA complaints mechanisms and enhance access of SEA survivors to existing GBV services Planning / Programming

• Support the development and implementation of programming for specialized GBV prevention and response based on needs, risks and capacity assessments at the onset of an emergency and throughout all phases of displacement

• support cross-cutting programs and technical sectors to mainstream gender and to program for mitigation of GBV risks in their specific technical areas, and report on progress.

• Ensure safe and ethical GBV data collection and reporting is functioning and regular reporting is done on GBV, including through protection monitoring processes

• Build a relationship with all relevant GBV program stakeholders (health, legal, protection, psychosocial) in IDPs and the local community to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners from the protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors.

• Plan and implement activities to ensure that IR’s Inclusive approach to programming is consistently applied through community-based protection methods.

• Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results based on protection programming through a consultative process with sector and/or cluster partners.

• Strengthening active partnerships with relevant government agencies/offices and humanitarian agencies/ CSOs partners, and strengthen referral systems in areas of Child protection and GBV

• Ensure that protection, safeguarding and inclusion mechanism includes the inclusion of most vulnerable members of the community, induction of staff, community, stakeholders, and suppliers, availability of Protection and safeguarding focal points are in place and the community receives the feedback in due time as per the IRE policy.

• Identify training needs and build the capacity of IR local staff on inclusion, protection and CHS accountability components

• Ensure data collection mechanisms are in place, and data is collected and analyzed periodically.

• Conduct conflict sensitivity analysis exercise with relevant stakeholders and ensure IR programmes “Do no harm” in their communities

• Follow up and provide technical guidance during implementation phase and document.

• Proactively exchange learning and synergy with all involved stakeholders.

• Drafts relevant sections of reports required for donors, management, annual reports

• Collaborate with Monitoring and Evaluation personnel for timely evaluation of projects.

• Represent IRE in protection coordination forums and Liaise with protection actors  to strengthen referral networks.

• Monitor protection risks at health and nutrition service points and community entry points

Job Requirements

Personal Specification

Formal Education/Qualification

• University degree in one of the relevant areas- Psychology, Sociology, Behavioral Science, Gender and development studies, International Law, Human Rights, or Social Science

Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience or master’s degree with preferably 3 years of relevant professional work experience in human rights issues, inclusivity, protection and/or child protection, and GBV. Having experience in the field of GBV prevention, mitigation and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian and development issues. Working in emergency or conflict situations is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English and knowledge on local languages of IR operational area (Afan Oromo) is Mandatory.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Planning and organizing

• Communication skills

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

• Good interpersonal skills

• Good advocacy, analytical skills

• Teamwork/working with people.

• Drive for results Learning Elements

• Be familiar with IR overall programming in unstable situations.

• Articulate methodology for programme and project management.

• Articulate rights based and results-based programming in IR.

• Demonstrate a good understanding of IR policies and strategy to address child protection and GBV issues

Knowledge

• Demonstrate enhanced knowledge of inclusive programming approach to child protection and GBV issues

• Expertise in SRHR and Gender in health system strengthening program

• Good understanding of GBV in emergence programing and Gender in humanitarian action (GiHA).

• Good understanding of CHS Commitments, SPHERE, minimum standards of age and disability inclusion

• Good understanding of minimum standards on child protection

• Applied experience in survivor-centered approach, GBV guiding and Case management principles related to GBV programs.

• Demonstrated knowledge in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and apply, promote and integrate gender analysis into humanitarian programming.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and implementation of multi-sectorial responses to GBV and support to other sectors to mainstream GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response.

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of GBV prevention theory and appropriate GBV prevention and behavior change strategies at different stages of the humanitarian response.

• Desirable Demonstrated understanding of critical issues around GBV data and knowledge of safe and ethical data collection and analysis and conducting assessments.

• Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities.

• Good understanding of displacement and protection issues including child protection, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity analysis.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunity

Islamic Relief and Islamic Relief staff considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and people at risk to be paramount to the organization. And must adhere the principle of ‘do no harm and leave no one behind.’ It is critical we do not expose communities or staff we work with to the risk of harm through our interventions.  Islamic Relief have a number of related policies which also describe standards in behavior expected from the organization, its staff and representatives towards each other and those we serve. Islamic Relief is committed to responding swiftly, appropriately and constructively to any and all information children, young people and people at risk have disclosed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. We participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and child abuse during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment before signing the contract agreement.

Islamic Relief believes everyone has the right to be safe, respected and valued regardless of who they are or their circumstances, and an equal employment opportunity to all candidates and qualified applicants, we do not discriminate on the base of age, sex, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability status and diversity. 

Islamic Relief has a zero tolerance towards all forms of violence, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

IRE highly encourage female applicants to apply for this position. Our organization is committed to promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace. IRE believe in creating an inclusive working environment where all individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities for professional growth and development.

IRE value the contributions and unique perspectives that women and persons with disability bring to our organization and are committed to providing a supportive, working environment. IRE believe that by promoting gender equality, we can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of our programs.

If you are a qualified female candidate with a passion to join our team, we encourage you to submit your application. IRE look forward to considering your candidacy and working together to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

How To Apply

Application Procedures

• Interested candidates are required to submit a complete Job application form stated with the duty station that you are applying for with all required supporting documents (updated CV, copy of credentials and testimonials) through eth.recruitment1@islamic-relief.org.et.

• You can access the Job Application Form with THIS LINK Failure to follow the instructions will invalidate your application.

• The closing date for the application is August 15, 2025.

• Due to the high volume of application, we regret that we will be able to contact only the shortlisted candidates.