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 works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work.
Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, providing support to more than 5 million people affected by war, violence, and displacement. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on (1) a relief-to-resilience pathway to meet the needs of conflict-affected communities leveraging agency expertise in conflict management and civil society development (2) a humanitarian response that empowers conflict-affected populations to meet their own needs (3) partnering with conflict-affected adolescents to address their diverse needs, promoting leadership and linkages with civil society, as well as access to education, psychosocial support, and economic opportunities; and (4) promoting reconciliation and foster trust across community divisions by strengthening conflict management and prevention mechanisms and enhancing social cohesion.
The PaQ (Program Performance and Quality) Unit that the Senior Gender Officer will join, is to support effective, efficient, and equitable program performance through a culture of quality management to achieve results for those that matter most —our program participants. PaQ is organized around three primary categories: (1) Standards—tools that support the implementation and quality assurance of the Program Management Policy; (2) Service—support for complex program management, leadership continuity, and Communities of Practice; and (3) Evidence.
The Senior Gender Officer will work with The Women and Youth-Led Peace and Reconciliation (WYPRI) project will respond to the unique gender, power, and conflict dynamics that characterize the current context in Ninewa Governorate. Ninewa Governorate, one of the most diverse regions in Iraq and among the worst-affected by mass violence and displacement, is facing a critical transition post-ISIS and with the repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDP). Low social acceptance of returnees and discomfort among persecuted minority communities, and in particular women from some of those communities, are facing significant challenges that require the promotion of gender-responsive and community-led reconciliation mechanisms. As Iraq moves into recovery and reconciliation, there is also the need to foster the meaningful engagement of women in community-based peacebuilding and conflict mediation structures and to ensure that these structures meet the needs of women, including those who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). The WYRPI initiative ultimately seeks to strengthen gender-just and inclusive social cohesion within and between diverse communities and identity groups in Al Hamdaniya District, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq.
The Senior Gender Officer will play a senior role in Mercy Corps Iraq’s PaQ Department, while working closely with the WYRPI Program team. S/he will oversee the gender and GBV-related aspects of the project, provide technical expertise and ensure gender and GBV-sensitive strategies are mainstreamed throughout the life of the project, providing technical guidance to the implementation team and encouraging adaptive management.
S/he will support coordinating workshops with the government and local communities to discuss inclusive and gender-responsive reconciliation processes. S/he may lead consultations with government agencies, humanitarian actors, and community members to identify GBV and protection risks and—in collaboration with the Program team—to develop possible strategies to mitigate protection risks and to strengthen response capacity of various actors. S/he will support the project team to Engage CSOs, women, men, young women, and young men community leaders, and GBV stakeholders to review and update GBV service mapping and referral pathways.
The Senior Gender Officer will support in the drafting of gender-specific sections of donor report and other internal/external written deliverables (in English). S/he will also participate in report review processes to ensure gender mainstreaming interventions are accurately captured and reflected.
With technical support and guidance from the Country Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor, the Senior Gender Officer will facilitate internal and external orientations and trainings to ensure team members, partners, and other key stakeholders are sensitized to GBV risks and mitigation strategies, understand gender-responsive implementation, and are equipped to responsibly and sensitively engage with survivors of GBV.
None
Reports Directly To: Country GESI Advisor
Works Directly With: WYPRI Program Team, PaQ Team (MEL, CARM, GESI), Safeguarding Advisor, Training Consultants and Service Contractors.
The successful Senior Gender Officer will show flexibility, and a willingness to test, adapt, and improve. S/he will seek to produce information and learning that is gender sensitive and genuinely useful for the program staff in informing their strategic and operational decisions. S/he will see the value in quantitative data, but will also be enthusiastic about conducting qualitative research in order to attain greater meaning. S/he will have the ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. S/he will have the ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. S/he must be committed to working with vulnerable groups regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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.
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.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We
recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
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 prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. 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 and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to 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.
We'll have to have HR do a quick review of this to ensure w eare on point with the level (Senior Officer)
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