Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Position Title: Gender, Safeguarding and  CARM officer - DREAMS

Duty Station: Dollo Ado

Open Position: 1

The DREAMS program aims to improve the well-being of 100,000 women, children, and men over five years for refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia. Working with refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The program will integrate two proven models – poverty graduation and Market Systems Development – layering these approaches in a new way that will ensure that the poorest households can improve their income and well-being significantly and maintain  Mercy Corps will lead the Market Systems component of the program and will be responsible for developing market access pathways to ensure those businesses can be successful and supporting the operating environment for businesses and communities to thrive.

General Position Summary

• The position holder will be responsible for mainstreaming gender, safeguarding and CARM (Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms) in the DREAMS project He/She/ will also be the focal person for these core cross cutting initiatives in Dollo-ado.

• The incumbent will work with program teams to integrate Gender and Safeguarding considerations into all program activity areas, will support partners implementing GESI interventions or integrating GESI considerations into other interventions, and will contribute to learning processes that continuously improve the program’s ability to work towards GESI transformative outcomes.

 Essential Job Responsibilities 

STRATEGY & VISION

• Recognizes opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where project teams work together, exchange information, coordinate activities and develop team spirit in project management

• Participating in the Mercy Corps teams strategic planning, and execution thereof for gender and social inclusion integration, Safeguarding and CARM Initiative

• Contribute to agency-wide gender integration efforts and communities of practice as appropriate

Training and Awareness Raising

• Provide program teams with technical support, coaching and capacity building to ensure high quality gender, Safeguarding and CARM integration in the program.

• Work closely with the program team in mainstreaming Gender and Safeguarding issues as part of the program design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Provide technical guidance to teams to ensure programs/departments develop and implement gender integration strategies and work plans.

• Support and take the lead to ensure alignment of the gender and inclusion and Safeguarding initiatives both in time of design and implementation of the program

• Use existing resources and tools (both internal and external) to train staff and target participants on Gender and safeguarding when necessary and requested by the program

• Set up a training plan in coordination with departments to fulfill Safeguarding Core Standard and ensure team member awareness on safeguarding standards

• Serve as technical representation on the strategic gender and social inclusion CARM and safeguard person focused person

• Gather/analyze data and complete assessments to determine community needs and priorities and identify partnership opportunities.

• Cultivate and activate relationships with women’s rights / groups, other platforms and gender equality focused civil society organizations across the region to advance programmatic impact.

• Facilitate safeguarding training and capacity building sessions for program team members

• Ensure operation teams are trained on safeguarding and code of conduct so they can sensitize contractors, suppliers, new hires, consultants etc.

• Collaborate with CARM team to improve delivery of community safeguarding sensitization towards participants and community members

• As CARM focal person, work to ensure communities and participants understand their rights and reporting options and build trust around response systems and survivor support

• Ensure program participants and community members are trained on Mercy Corps’ Safeguarding commitment and Safeguarding Core Standards

• Conduct field visits to assess safeguarding prevention measures are implemented by teams e.g., complete observational checklists that assess safeguarding prevention measures such as adequate supervision, team member training and other measures

Systems and Processes

• Work with individuals and teams throughout the Dollo Ado office to ensure programs and operations integrate gender and safeguarding prevention measures

• Support safeguarding risk assessments and ensure activities assessed as having high safeguarding risks are actively implementing prevention measures

• Support staff to take proactive steps in ensuring the program activities identify and mitigate risks

• Work with MEAL teams and program teams to ensure safeguarding is integrated in CARM communications

• Act as a resource to senior management around safeguarding best practice and responsibilities

• Follow up with teams to ensure progress towards meeting Safeguarding Core Standards; informing the senior management when there are gaps or challenges in progress

TEAM  WORK

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Provide Program teams with technical support, and capacity building to ensure gender integration in the program and related initiatives introduced by Mercy Corps

• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives including provision of gender training.

• Contribute to Program team-building efforts, training program and department staff on gender integration mainstreaming

• Work closely with team members from VE, to support capacity-building and gender integration into Village enterprise-implemented components of the program

• Participate in all training of DREAMS project and consortium biweekly meetings

Survivor Response and Support (Safeguarding and CARM)

• Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues or concerns

• Act as a resource to survivors and help ensure their safety, security and well-being and support a survivor-centered approach when requested

• In coordination with the MEAL team and GEDSI Adviser country level identify, map, and annually update the survivor service map to serve as a directory for support services available to survivors

• Ensure safeguarding allegations are reported immediately to the Global Ethics and Compliance Team via the Integrity Hotline

• Provide support for investigations if requested by the Ethics Team

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support the integration of Gender, Safeguarding and CARM aspects into the program’s MEAL system and processes, coordinating with the MEL team.

• Collect gender disaggregated data while performing proactive and recurrent GESI analysis in the program interventions.

• Together with MEAL counterparts, undertake site visits to monitor and track progress and use qualitative GESI, Safeguarding and CARM tools.

Engagement

• Participate in and represent Mercy Corps at relevant sector meetings and Forum as requested

 Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Reports Directly To: Meal Coordinator

Works Directly With: All program team members working on the DREAMS program, field-level Finance, Country GEDSI Advisor, Country Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• BA degree in any Social Science including Gender Studies, development studies, anthropology, social work or a comparable area of social study preferred

• An understanding of cultural barriers to the engagement of women, girls, and socially excluded community members.

• Three to Five years of proven work experience in related work.

• Demonstrated program implementation and training capabilities.

• Technical skills, experience, and knowledge in PSEAH, safeguarding, protection, GBV or gender highly desirable

• Knowledge of participatory analyses, action and results processes.

• Experience in the region is required.

Success Factors

• Fluent in English (oral and writing) and local language of the region

• Business minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, great problem-solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.

• He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures

• Excellent communication, facilitation and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner and NGO- sector actors

• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Merit based equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek solid backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can collectively become stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where merit based equal employment opportunities are available to all.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

How To Apply

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent to THIS LINK

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 28 August 2025 / 4:00 PM