Job Opportunities at The International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Scope of Work

Adolescent girls and boys are gravely underserved in humanitarian emergencies, particularly during the acute phase of response. They are often inserted into programming designed for younger children or into adult programming, where their age-specific needs are not understood or met. The Adolescent Protection Assistants will act as focal points for adolescent girls (younger) and boys within Child Protection programming in Monguno emergency response.

Technical Quality

• Provide support for adolescents and their families and link them to specialized services where needed.
• Ensure regular communication with the CP Officer and manager for updates on achievements and challenges 

Grant Monitoring and Reporting

• Provide input for weekly and staff activity reports. .

Coordination & Representation

• Effectively communicate with other caseworkers, government social workers and service providers as part of providing individual support to adolescents and their families.
• Regularly attend all CP related meetings at field level 

Program Development

• Contribute to the development of proposal activities in relation to case management.
• Coordinate with other IRC sectors staff (e.g. WPE, Protection, Health and Livelihoods) at field level

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and  liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Professional Standards

All IRC staff is required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Uphold the IRC Child Safeguarding Policy and ensure the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in the workplace and communities of intervention

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Child Protection Assistant will work within a Child Protection emergency response team, providing case management and psychosocial support services to adolescents and their care givers.
• Work as part of a Child Protection team in a safe space to provide support to children as part of broader response services
• Participate in identifying facilitators and an initial SAFE approach training and engage in ongoing skills building using SAFE materials.
• With support from supervisors, mentor and coach the community volunteer responsible for co-facilitating sessions with adolescent girls (younger) or boys
• Lead community engagement activities to introduce SAFE activities to female and male community leaders and caregivers
• Conduct initial assessments to identify the risks and needs of adolescent girls and boys
• Work closely with other project staff to identify adolescent girls(younger), adolescent boys, and female and male caregivers to participate in SAFE learning activities
• Act as lead facilitator to deliver sessions twice a week for adolescent girls or boys together with a community volunteer facilitator
• Facilitate sessions once a week for female or male caregivers
• Provide psychological first aid and support to adolescent girls(younger) or boys who disclose experiences of violence and support referral to access required services
• Facilitate feedback meetings with adolescent girl(younger)s and boys, female and male community stakeholders and caregivers and share feedback with supervisor
• Complete weekly reports on project activities, including documenting feedback from participants of SAFE sessions and proactively sharing back lessons learned whilst facilitating the curricula
• Participate in weekly team meetings.

Qualifications

• Candidates are desired who have:
• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, education, economic, another human development related field or equivalent of experience preferred
• At least two years’ experience working to support children, adolescent girl and boys, women  or parents and caregivers
• Experience with facilitation of group work with relevant populations
• A high level of motivation to assist adolescent girls and boys affected by humanitarian crisis
• A commitment to child protection and gender equality
• A learning attitude and willingness to increase skills and knowledge in the protection of adolescent girls and boys
• Experience as an active participate of social groups, with an understanding of group dynamics and processes.
• Capacity building, facilitation or training experience
• The ability to adapt and work under pressure and strong interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English and Kanuri
• Basic competency in computer skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Security level is red. The situation in Monguno is currently calm.

IRC is an Equal 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, veteran status or disability

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The IRC Women Protection and Empowerment  Program is a multi-sectorial prevention and response program involving multiple organizations and actors from the IDP and NGO community, UN agencies and all sectors of IRC. 

The focus of this program is to provide good quality health and psychosocial response services to conflict-affected women and girls in Yobe, North-Eastern Nigeria in a timely manner.  

Summary of Responsibilities:

The GBV Prevention Staff   assists the Program Manager/Coordinator with activities of the WPE program specifically in the spectrum of GBV prevention.  The Prevention staff will performs training functions in the camps and host communities in Yobe state.  She/he will help design prevention activities that will improve on program quality. Will take the lead in planning and conducting Trainings on GBV and human rights issues and the monitoring and evaluation of training and sensitization activities.  

The Prevention staff   will take the lead in developing IEC materials that will improve on prevention and response of GBV, collates reports and statistics on trainings and sensitizations conducted in the field and submit to program Manager/Coordinator. She/he   in collaboration with GBV Program Manager/Coordinator, provides technical assistance in relation to prevention activities and prepares standardized training modules.  

 The Capacity Building Assistant further  helps to establish collaborative relationships with collaborating partners, local Partners, local authorities in particular the  SEMA and NEMA, Police,   medical personnel,  all IRC Sectors ,  women groups, and  youth’s groups,  and ensures that trainings are developed to meet their needs and also work with GBV Actors for a coordinated referrals for GBV Survivors.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Training:

• Take lead in all GBV training activities.
• In collaboration with IRC Local partners, community mobilizer and case worker plan and conduct prevention activities including but not limited to awareness raising campaigns and community sensitizations.
• Carryout a GBV training needs assessment for WPE staff, IRC sector staff, Partners, Women’s groups, community groups and other community stakeholders.
• In collaboration with community mobilizer, case worker, conduct sensitizations and Trainings to Women’s groups Youth groups, and CBOs on GBV issues.
• Develop and implement prevention strategies.
• Promote the involvement of men and youth in GBV activities.
• Facilitate role-plays regarding gender-based violence
• Ensure pre and post testing are done and documented.
• Seek out new material(s) that will improve training content.                                                                  

PLANNING, COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION

• Design, implement and evaluate quality GBV training in a systematic and consistent manner by establishing GBV training procedures
• With community input, develop community education methods, which may include workshops, drama, games, debates, poster contest, youth clubs, and other creative methods. 
• In collaboration with Community Mobilization Assistant, case worker and local partners, Conduct focus groups and keep detailed documentation about information gathered.  Consider this information in planning and conducting animation, sensitizations and to design IEC materials.
• Ensure that all work is done in accordance with established protocols and within ethical guidelines.
• In collaboration Community Mobilization Assistant, hold weekly meetings with Women’s group’s to discuss issues like women’s rights, decision-making and gender equality.
• Promote women’s active participation in the leadership and decision-making of the community.
• Liaise with IRC local partners, community leaders, government agencies and other appropriate agencies to build support and solicit cooperation and assistance to GBV activities.
• In collaboration with WPE Community Mobilization Assistant, Mothers’ groups, community groups, identify training needs and carryout trainings in a consistent and appropriate manner.
• Also in collaboration with Community Mobilization Assistant, establish, form and train Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group members and also establish Group Discussion Series (DGS) with VSLA members and their spouses or representatives to discuss on household decision making process.
• Collaborate with Community Mobilizers in identifying, Forming and training Engaging Men Through Accountable Practices (EMAP) Facilitators for behavioral and attitudinal change towards ending violence against women and girls and monitoring of their weekly meetings.
• Communicate with the WPE Manager/Coordinator on progress, constraints, and training needs identified and any other matters pertaining to the operations of the GBV Program.
• In collaboration with WPE Staff design an effective and appropriate training strategy, plan of action and project time line.
• Meet with WPE Manager/coordinator on a weekly basis to coordinate work schedules.
• Assist WPE Program Manager/Coordinator in strategic planning to ensure ongoing Programming.

REPORTING:

• Compile and summarize weekly and monthly statistics and narrative reports and submit to Program Manager in a timely manner.
• Attend GBV monthly meetings and other IRC meetings as required by GBV Program Manager.
• Properly file all reports on trainings and meetings conducted.                                                             
• Communicate all obstacles/Problems to WPE Program Manager to discuss for further action to address the obstacles/problems.

FINANCIAL:

• Ensure that all liquidations in a timely manner with relevant supporting documentations.
• Submit all financial request in a timely manner 

MONITORING:

• Follow-up on training/Sensitization/meetings   conducted to ensure implementation of plans. 
• AVOID MAKING FALSE PROMISES TO BENEFICIARIES ON BEHALF OF IRC.
• Carryout work with respect to IRC security concerns, protocols and established policy inclusive of ensuring the safety of IRC beneficiaries from exploitive relationships.
• Ensure working as part of a TEAM AND BE FLEXIBLE

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate from a reputable institution.
• Must have working experience in GBV for at least 2 years.
• Previous experience as a trainer, Prefer experience with participatory techniques.
• Must be knowledgeable in using the computer, including word processing programs. 
• Must possess interest and commitment to human rights, gender, gender equality and gender mainstreaming.
• Ability to lead, train, facilitate and motivate other WPE staff in their respective tasks in a professional, respectful and supportive manner. 
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Must be fluent in Community Language written and spoken English. Fluency in Kanuri will be an added advantage
• Ability to work as a Team and must be flexible.          

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 on the basis of 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.

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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-sectorial, 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 focused in primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

This is an exciting and challenging role for a highly motivated, dedicated and competent safety and security professional willing to work in a complex humanitarian context. The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Area Manager (SAM) with technical supervision and backing of the Safety and Security Manager (SSM)/ Safety and Security Coordinator (SSC).   The SSO will work closely with IRC program staff to facilitate easy access to program location, conduct regular security risk assessment of IRC program location and facilities. She/He will develop a wide web of relevant contacts of stakeholders to engage with positively to address access challenges, collate and disseminate relevant security information. The SSO will further assist in building up the capacity, awareness and preparedness of staff to deal with security-related risks, threats and incidents through the delivery of high quality, regular trainings or briefings to national and international staff and IRC visitors within the area of responsibility. The SSO will maintain a high level of contextual awareness of his/her operating area and strong coordination with Program and Operations support teams at the Field level.  The SSO will support in conducting collaborative security risk assessments with all field based program staff in line with the standard IRC security management structures.   The SSO will support Senior Area Manager in enforcement and implementation of existing SOPs and other risk mitigation plans guided by the acceptance, protection and deterrence strategies. The SSO will act as a liaison link between IRC and other external security functionaries within the areas of responsibility, represent IRC in security forums as directed by supervisor to objectively ensure that the operations and program needs of IRC are well addressed.

Major Responsibilities

Safety and Security Management, and Technical Quality,

• As part of IRC Safety and Security Team (SST), continuously monitoring the environment in the operational areas for which he/she is responsible.  As required, and at a minimum of once per quarter, support Safety and Security Manager/Coordinator in updating the FSMPs, CP and SOPs.
• Ensure that the Field or Base Offices FSMP and associated documents are kept up to date and reviewed regularly, and staff constantly kept aware of their contents.
• Supervise and liaise on daily basis with the contracted guards to ensure the guard force is trained and aware of IRC SOPs and are effectively enforcing the required regulations.
• Accompany program staff on field missions on as need basis in order to better develop an awareness of the challenges faced by IRC staff in the field. Prepare regular field site reports and submit to the supervisors.
• Liaise with government, Army, Police, SSS, Local Heads and other key external stakeholders to ensure that IRC staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.
• Regularly coordinate with peer organization safety staff/focal points to get the current contextual information.
• Ensure that Hibernation, Relocation and Evacuation plans are updated for the area of responsibility with the support of Safety and Security Coordinator.
• Using standard trainings developed by SSC, conduct regular refresher trainings to IRC staff on personal safety, VHF/ Satellite Phone communication, fire prevention, defensive driving among others.
• Prepare weekly reports for the Field offices and update data on available incident data tools.
• Submitting when required voice, email or SMS immediate advisories to Field staff when significant security incidents occur. This will include updating and testing on a bi-weekly basis the IRC warden and Bulk SMS systems. Ensure that he/she keeps an up to date staff contacts and reviewed regularly.
• Ensure that the formal incident reporting procedures are maintained through submitting Immediate Incident reports and  post incident reports to the Senior Area Manager and Safety and Security Coordinator.
• Regularly assess IRC field premises to ensure that the exiting physical security mitigation structures are well maintained and initiate any relevant repairs or upgrades. Prepare building assessment reports and submit to Supervisors.
• Work closely with the Senior Area Manager, to ensure that Security Focal Group (SFG) meeting are held and minutes submitted to SSM/SSC as required.
• Conduct access assessment to existing and new program location within the area of responsibility and submit report to supervisors.
• During a critical incident at he/she will support the Senior Area Manager in critical incident management giving all the required support as outlined in the CP.
• The SSO will be available 24/7 to respond to any staff concerns or incidents that might require urgent attention.
• Will attend relevant external coordination meetings from time to time as requested by the supervisors.
• Track and monitor IRC staff movement within the areas of responsibility and report any movement breaches to SAM/SSM/SSC.
• Conduct mandatory safety and security briefing to all newly recruited staff, and visitors and on a daily basis to all field staff before commencement of field activities. He/She will keep track/record of all staff briefed and provide monthly update to supervisors.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Hold high-quality meetings with supervisor on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Continuously using different established sources such as UNDSS, UNOCHA, INSO and other independent sources, collate or research security information, produce objective analysis which can be used to make informed decision to the security management plan. 
• Coordination & Representation
• Attend any local stakeholder’s coordination meetings/forums within Maiduguri, Monguno or Gwoza or any other meeting as might be directed by the supervisor.
• Liaise with government, Military, Police, DSSS, Local Heads and other key external stakeholders to ensure that IRC staff can maintain regular and safe access to program areas.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to:  Senior Area  Manager
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Safety & Security Manager/ Coordinator
• Position directly Supervises: N/A
• Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  Program Managers /Coordinators
• Region/Global: None

Key External Contacts: 

IRC external contacts

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree Security Management/Disaster Management/Military Science/International relations /Public Administration or a field related to humanitarian work or risk management.
• Computer skills (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and internet)
• Professional training and certification with recognized Security bodies will be considered.

Work Experience:

• 2-3 years of relevant work experience in preferably in an INGO or UN set up operating in the Northeast or other hostile areas as a security focal person or in a similar role of security management.
• In-depth knowledge or work experience in conflict or post-conflict and/or complex emergency environment.
• Previous service or work experience with the Nigerian Disciplined Forces will be a desired advantage. Certificate of discharge will be required as proof.   

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Security Risk Assessment in INGO hostile environment set up.
• Competency in using and maintaining field-based communications systems (HF, VHF radios and Satellite phones).
• Security incident analysis and report writing skills.
• Good communication skills is a key success factor. The candidate must exhibit good (verbal and writing) skills and interpersonal relationships development skills.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in security management, advisory, analysis and capacity building role in an international organization setting.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in fast-paced team environments and to be available 24/7 whenever a security incident occurs.
• Training and facilitation skill using different training media.
• Ability to use basic online mapping tools like google maps or GIS software.
• Ability to develop Security Plans and SOPs

Languages:  English, Local language in the northeast of Nigeria is mandatory

 Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 
• Ability to use mapping software or applications.

Ability to Travel: Regularly to IRC sites in Yobe State and any other locations as may be assigned by supervisor.

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 on the basis of 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.

The position is based in Damaturu covering all IRC program sites in Yobe State Successful candidate will be provided with a comprehensive on job inductions, trainings and mentoring to further develop his/her capacity and career in INGO Security Management systems.

Qualified Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.