Officer, Gender in Emergency Operations

Organizational Context

“This is a national staff position open to nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in countries where IFRC has legal presence: Buenos Aires (Argentina), San José (Costa Rica), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Kingston (Jamaica), Managua (Nicaragua), Panama City (Panama), Lima (Peru), or Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago). Candidates must be able to provide proof of their eligibility to work in those countries during application phase”

Protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) is a priority for the IFRC and its members globally. At the IFRC’s Americas Regional Office (ARO), the active pursuit of gender balance and diverse representation in emergency contexts, including at leadership levels, to advance equity and reduce risks has become a top priority. The IFRC is committed to meeting this challenge. It has recently announced that, by 2028, its secretariat will achieve gender parity at all staff levels. It is also working with National Societies to help them set their own targets based on its own analysis of current staff.

In 2020 IFRC ARO was granted a 3 phase/year project by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) to foster gender equity, through greater inclusion of women, in leadership positions, for humanitarian response in the Americas. This year, funding has just been renewed for an additional year to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in emergency management and disaster response in order to contribute to achieving significant change in gender equity in the Americas.

The purpose of the project is to increase women’s leadership in IFRC humanitarian response in the region by promoting the sustainability of women’s participation in emergencies, increasing gender equitable participation at the National Society level, strengthening the capacity of IFRC country and delegation offices to promote gender equity, and ensuring women’s equitable access to development and leadership opportunities in emergency and crisis response.

The Gender in Emergency Officer will be responsible for all aspects of project deliverables, including reports, case studies, methodological guidelines, updated plans, studies and surveys, statistical analyses, revisions of guidelines and protocols, as well as awareness, information and education activities related to the project in close coordination with different areas of the Regional Office, Country Cluster Delegations and Country Delegations.

Job Purpose

Support IFRC ARO’s Operations, Evolving Crisis and Disasters team in all activities aimed at promoting gender equity in Emergency Operations Leadership in the Americas, including the timely achievement of four outcomes

• Promoted the sustainability of actions aimed at increasing the participation of women in leadership positions in emergency response in the planning of National Societies and IFRC Offices in the Americas.
• Increased gender equity in emergency and crisis and disaster response operations at the National Society level through the implementation of advocacy and sensitization initiatives to promote gender-equitable participation.
• Strengthened the capacity of IFRC Country Cluster Delegation (CCD) and the Americas Regional Office to promote gender equity in emergencies.
• Strengthened women’s equity in access to opportunities for skills and competency development and leadership positions in emergency and crisis response.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

A. Technical

• Validate and disseminate the Gender Equity in Emergency Operations Road Map.
• Develop a diagnostic on the application of gender equity measures in IFRC and NS in America.
• Accompany and support National Societies in the Region in the elaboration of Improvement Plans aimed at promoting gender equity in emergency operations.
• Identify/create the Gender equity champions Network in the Americas.
• Accompany and support the Gender Equity Champions in the implementation of sensitization workshops in National Societies.
• In coordination with other IFRC units (PGI, communication, Surge), organize virtual forums on Gender Equity in Emergency Operations.
• Develop a Study on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Gender Equity in Leadership in Emergency Operations.
• In coordination with the Regional Office Communication team, develop and implement a behavior change communication campaign on gender equity in Emergency Operations.
• Develop and disseminate a Guide for institutionalization of the gender approach addressed to the IFRC CCDs and Country Offices.
• In coordination with the PGI Unit and CREPD, develop, validate and implement the Gender Equity in Emergencies Training.
• In coordination with the PGI Unit and CREPD, develop educational materials on gender equity.
• Support to the Surge Unit in the implementation of the Internship Program for NS women members.
• Support to the Surge Unit in the elaboration of a Guide for the payment of caregivers of children or elderly people in charge of deployed women.
• Prepare proposals for donors to receive financial and technical support to enhance Gender Equity in the Region
• Facilitate timely and quality reporting through close cooperation with IFRC CCD, Country Offices and ARO Units.
• Revise and follow-up financial reports
• Participate in periodic or ad-hoc meetings with internal or external stakeholders.
• Support activities related to gender in emergencies.
• Ensure that all relevant Red Cross actors (SMT, DCPRR in Geneva, PNS, NS, donors) are well informed about achievements and challenges in Gender Equity in the Region.

B. Representation & Relationships

• The Gender in Emergency Officer for Americas works under the management of the Operations, Evolving Crisis and Disasters Manager, within the ARO HDCC Unit and shall work in close coordination with and seek technical guidance from the Manager as necessary.
• Work in close collaboration with the relevant IFRC CCD and Country Offices, as well as SPRM, PGI, Communications, NSD, Emergency Operations staff (primarily Operations Coordinators and Surge), PGI, Health, Logistics, WASH, Shelter, and other colleagues on thematic files to promote an integrated approach in Gender Equity.
• Work in close collaboration with PMER and Finance colleagues to ensure timely and quality plans and reports.

Education

• Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in Disaster Management, International Development, or other relevant subject, preferred

Experience

• Experience of programme design, project management and reporting, preferably in relation to disaster response
• Practical experience in Gender Equity
• Previous experience of monitoring and evaluation
• At least two years’ relevant experience of disaster management and particularly disaster response operations in multiple country contexts, preferred
• Previous experience of using International Federation planning, reporting and finance tools, preferred
• Disaster response experience in America’s context, preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent computer skills (including presentations, database and use of statistics Facilitation and training skills
• Networking skills

LANGUAGES

• Fluently spoken and written English and Spanish
• Good command of another official language (French and Portuguese), preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development; Strategic Orientation

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic Orientation; Leadership; Empowering Others