Women Protection & Empowerment VSLA Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Location: Mubi, Adamawa

Job Summary

• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) violates a woman’s human rights, threatens her physical and mental health and limits her educational and economic opportunities with repercussions for her family and community.
• The link between women’s financial independence and gender-based violence has inspired programs aiming to empower women economically as a potential violence prevention strategy.
• The Economic and social Empowerment Officer will be based in Mubi with frequent visits within and outside Adamawa state as the Job demands.
• He/she is responsible for conducting assessment to identify communities and implement the economic and social empowerment (VSLA) and gender discussion group sessions.
• This will include VSLA Participants and their male partners on various aspect of household and relationship dynamics, including household financial planning, communication, power dynamics, negotiation skills and decision making.
• He/she should work in collaboration with IRC ERD sector to enhance coordination and service delivery to beneficiaries.
• He/she will work with ERD Sector to conduct training of trainers (TOT) in VSLA and gender group dialogue sessions.
• He/she should do regular field visits and attends group meetings, Monitors and provide support where necessary.
• He/she should play active role in building up community capacity to effectively run EA$E groups. This position reports directly to the WPE Senior Program Manager.

Specific Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the economic empowerment officer include but are not limited to the following:

Programs:

• Work with WPE Community mobilizers and ERD to conduct an assessment to identify communities for the establishment of EASE groups
• Work alongside women and ERD to establish and train groups in VSLA, Gender discussions and business skills.
• Conduct a TOT of staff and partners in VSLA, Gender discussions and business skills.
• In collaboration with ERD and women groups design a group bye-laws and support groups to elect their executives.
• Organize and facilitate a gender dialogue sessions with VSLA participants and their male partners.
• Ensure to check records during VSLA meetings for accuracy and provide support where necessary and share data with M&E officer and senior program Manager.
• Document and share challenges with ERD and WPE Senior program manager and design strategy to address challenges.
• Provide any Village Savings and Loan Association information and security related to security focal point and WPE Senior Program Manager in a timely manner for action.
• Submit detailed monthly and weekly plans to senior program manager in a timely manner plans.
• Attend staff meetings and training events as required.
• And any other duties assign by the senior program manager or the program coordinator.

Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Social Work and Social Administration or related field.

Skills and Experience:

• Strong experience working with community groups
• Great communication skills and ability to clearly and effectively convey complex concepts to populations with limited numeracy and literacy skills
• Excellent training and mentoring skills
• Familiarity with savings and credit schemes (VSLA methodology preferred)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and to foster team spirit
• Belief in and understanding of gender equality, women’s rights and empowerment
• Willingness to travel to field sites frequently and, preferably, experience working in GBV programs and in rural settings.
• Should be a Team Player.

Work Environment:

• The position will work in the Mubi Field Office. The program site in Northern Adamawa state is security level 3 - orange

Benefits
Monthly salary, 13Month Salary Inclusive, Health Insurance Coverage for Family, Pension, Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.