ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
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.
Mercy Corps Europe Sudan invites interested and experienced applicants to apply for the following position:
Job Description
| Organization | MERCY CORPS EUROPE (MCE) |
| Job Title: | Gender Officer |
| Position Status: | Full-time |
| Location: | Kaduguli, south Kodofan |
| Deadline : | 10/05/2021 |
ORGANISATION SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and currently leads humanitarian assistance efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur and South Kordofan States, supporting IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities. Mercy Corps is also engaged in the South Sudanese refugee response in refugee camps across White Nile State. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, nutrition, peace building and protection.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps in partnership with ADRA are implementing a project aimed at improving food security for 20,000 male and female smallholder farmer households in south Kordofan and Blue Nile States’ through enhanced gender equitable market access and agricultural production. The Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Food Security (SAFE) programme, will strengthen the capacities of key market actors, contributing to improved resilience capacities to shocks and stresses. The programme is guided by a Market Systems Development (MSD) and resilience approaches to sustain food security gains despite the complex risk environment in which smallholder farmers are exposed to. Specifically, the program will enable small holder farmers to increase climate resilient yields, sustainable natural resource management practices, market linkages, gender equity and empowerment of women and girls.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified and practical oriented person to fill the position of Gender Officer. Reporting to the Program Manager, this is a technical position aiming at promoting increased equality between men, women, boys and girls and increased empowerment of women and girls in smallholder agricultural market systems and community and household decision making. S/he will ensure increased adoption of gender-equitable norms, attitudes, and behaviors for improved livelihoods and that Stakeholders have increased understanding of women and girl’s access to land and their security of land tenure. S/he will promote integration of a gender perspectives in program activities, ensuring gender sensitive programming and that additional considerations are made to break down barriers for women and girls’ access and take up opportunities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Management:
• Lead assessment and research activities at the community level to gather information and analysis on gender exclusion status, barriers, opportunities and challenges etc to inform strategies, activity implementation in order to address gender issues, inequalities and concerns
• Following results of the assessment, tailor activity implementation to ensure they promote access of women and girls to economic opportunities, decision making and control over resources.
• Development and review of training materials and approaches for other program activities to ensure that they are inclusive and address gender concerns and support their roll-out including through trainings to support positive behavioral and social change. Monitor trainings participants and community leader and ensure women’s participation and progress towards intended gender outcomes.
• Develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies for gender work that could have unintended and negative consequences for the groups that the program seeks to benefit and on other activities
• Review programmatic assessment tools (surveys, questionnaires etc.) to ensure that they are thematically and technically sound from the point of view of gender and support in gender specific analyses.
• Develop business and other compelling cases for selling points to convince partners of the missed opportunities in failing to target women as agents, employees and customers. Advise on ways in which partner companies can engender outreach to intentionally target women to take up market opportunities.
• Support staff and facilitators in tailoring program activities and targeting of program participants to ensure women make up 50% of the participants and there is meaningful participation and have equitable access.
• Conduct culturally appropriate gender awareness raising and sensitization sessions with key stakeholders and gatekeepers to garner support for women empowerment and access to resources.
• Track progress and provide data on gender indicators and revise tactics as appropriate
Collaboration, Networking, Representation and Coordination
• Maintain good coordination and working relationships and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed to create synergy, share experiences and obtain support for program objectives.
• On PM’s guidance, coordinate and share information with relevant stakeholders (government, NGOs etc) and obtain their support for meaning participation, access to resources and decision making by women
• Coordinate with staff on other SAFE program activities to ensure equitable access for women.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. Respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Carry out translations and assist in any other task or duty as assigned
Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Support the monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) and reporting on the gender thematic area by ensuring formulation of relevant indicators, participating in assessments, surveys and ensuring appropriate analysis.
• Work closely with the MEL team to capture data for measuring output, outcome and impact
• Conduct monitoring visits to assess the effectiveness of program activities and adjust as required.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that are indicative of program progress. Respond to queries when necessary and maintain a proper filing system as required
• Provide follow up on recommendations and solutions where there are problems in implementation.
Security
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Participate in reviewing and updating security policies and procedures for the Mercy Corps office.
Organizational Learning
• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Farmer field school facilitators
ACCOUNTABILITY
Reports directly to: Program Manager
Works directly with: Environmental officer, farmer field school officers, program officers, DCD, Program Heads, Support Departments, (Finance, Operations, Logistics & Human resources) and other MC staff.
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
• A degree in gender and economic development, women’s studies or related field is required.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of gender and development is required
• Familiarity with gender empowerment tools and approaches is required
• Good negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with a vast audience
• Experience of gender dynamics in target areas and knowldge of national gender policy frameworks
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s rights, human rights and social justice;
• Proven skills in networking, collaboration, community consultation; teamwork and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated analytical, planning and prioritizing skills and flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and Arabic and representation skills is required
• Good computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point
• Commitment to working with program participants in need regardless of race, religion or gender.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
An ability to support programmatic objectives, willingness to work in rural areas, analytical, creative problem solving, negotiation, coaching and mentorship abilities. Should have a strong capacity to influence mindsets and drive behavior change. A strong results orientation, good interpersonal skills and an impeccable professional person with clear ethical standards and willing to comply with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
Interested qualified candidates should submit their CV and cover letter to:
Email Subject Line should clearly state the title of the position as show below
Position Title (choose one of the above) – Kadugli or Khartoum
Deadline for this positions on date May 10, 2021
