WPE EASE Assistants at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Location  Konduga

Sector: Women Protection & Empowerment

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee 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, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Contextual background

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014, the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri, Gwoza and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

Under the management of the WPE Economic and social Empowerment (EASE) Officer. The WPE EASE assistant work in collaboration with the EASE officer to implement EASE program that aims at improving the condition of women and girls in the Northeast Nigeria. And contributes to prevention of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and unequal allocation of wealth amongst gender, by empowering women economically as a potential violence prevention strategy and a means to improve equal decision making among household. The job role aims at ensuring that IRC economic wellbeing outcome are met. To that effect, the WPE seeks to recruit specific staff that will be responsible for rolling out these robust protection strategies, termed Economic and social Empowerment

Major Responsibilities

• He/she will be responsible for facilitating pre-assessment to identify communities with needs and implement the economic and social empowerment (VSLA) and gender discussion group sessions in identified communities.
• He/she will conduct regular field visits and attends group meetings, Monitors, and provide support where necessary.
• Working with WPE Community mobilizers and ERD team to conduct pre-assessment to identify communities for the establishment of EASE groups
• Work alongside the EASE officer to establish and train prospective VSLA groups, Gender discussions and with the support of ERD facilitate business discussion skills session.
• Alongside the EASE officer facilitate TOTs for staff and partners in VSLA, Gender discussions and business skills.
• In collaboration with the women groups design group byelaws and support groups to elect their executives.
• Organize and facilitate a gender dialogue session with VSLA participants and their male partners.
• Checking VSLA records entry during VSLA meetings for accuracy and provide support where necessary and share observations with EASE Officers.
• Document and share challenges with WPE EASE Officer for designing strategies to address identified challenges.
• Provide any Village Savings and Loan Association information and security related to security focal point and WPE Program Manager in a timely manner for action.
• Develop and provide weekly, monthly, and quarterly activity report
• Submit detailed monthly and weekly plans to EASE Officer on time for planning.
• Attend staff meetings and training events as delegated.

Other duties and responsibilities

• The EASE assistant will work in collaboration with the EASE officer and ERD team in ensure the baseline survey is conducted on the onset and close out of the program. And ensure the community ranking matrix are filled and submitted on timely
• She/he is to ensure the Discussion Group Series protocols are followed by ensuring that the female 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 and facilitate the sessions
• Lead and coordinate VSLA formation
• Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor from time to time
• Adherence to IRC security policy
• He/she is expected to play an active role with technical support from the EASE officer in building the capacity of the community to effectively run EA$E groups.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to:  WPE EASE officer
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: WPE Manager and coordinator. ERD Manager
• Position directly Supervises: Not applicable
• Key Internal Contacts: Other IRC sector’s staff, especially ERD
• Key External Contacts:  Community members, Women groups and other NGOs staff

Qualifications

Education:

• Must have attained a University degree or HND in the field of business management, administration, or social sciences from a recognized Institution.

Work Experience:

• Community level engagement  experience, including experience working with women and girls is preferred
• Experience in the field of VSLA is an asset
• Must have worked in the same or similar capacity 

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients always is essential.
• Excellent listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with people of all ages, background, and diversity
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment and protection through  current/ previous  volunteer work in women’s group, girls  clubs  or other relevant experience is an added advantage
• Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls.
• Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Ability to work as a member of a team essential
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.

Languages: 

• Ability to communicate in English, Hausa, Kanuri and local dialects spoken in the location

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is an advantage  

Ability to Travel: 98% of time if applicable

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

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.

Working Environment: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.