JOB ADVERT: Gender Based Violence Specialist-Maroua

Location: Maroua, EN, CM

Company: Plan International

Plan International is an independent non-profit development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Plan International Cameroon is currently advertising for the position of 01 Gender Based Violence Specialist – Maroua.
Please note that this is an international position.

Dimensions of Role:

This position is responsible for assessment, response analysis, design/revision and implementation of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) components of Plan’s emergency response in the Far North of Cameroon. S/he will be particularly responsible for the overall management of the Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) intervention. S/he will need to co-ordinate with humanitarian coordination mechanism established in the Far-North, other Emergency Response team members and Plan staff and other relevant technical sectors to ensure the continued implementation of a rapid, inclusive, proportionate and effective response. In general, S/he will need to ensure response to ensure the strategic leading of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) interventions and the technical support to the response to immediate SGBV issues with simultaneous consideration of longer term needs and possible scenarios. Particularly, S/he will need to ensure the technical support to all the Child protection projects implementation of all the upcoming Project activities in an integrated manner with other program components and other on-going interventions in the response. S/He will work with stakeholders and technical agencies relevant to the sector, to ensure effective and quality response. The GBV Specialist should be youths and girls focused. He/She will support the coordination of Multi-Sectorial Assistance (MSA) to survivors of GBV to ensure appropriate service delivery and quality of care to survivors, while facilitating high quality programming to prevent and respond to GBV. He/She will also provide technical guidance to protection, education, livelihoods officers and other stakeholders in the project to strengthen capacities, improve overall coordination of activities and ensure CCCD standards  and  GBV SOP, standards of care for survivors of sexual violence are adhered to.
The GBV Specialist will be expected to take a very active role in technical co-ordination, support and advocacy with the country specific SGBV sub-sectors and working groups.

Key End Results and Typical Responsibilities:

Assessment

• Provide sectoral leadership and expertise in the needed assessment on the context of the project implementation.
• In collaboration with local specialists and affected population, conduct any rapid assessment in the current situation as the Baseline of the project; assess, review or update the GBV situation in the  affected areas  (including, all the divisions in the Far North Region)
• Participation in any interagency assessment missions to identify humanitarian assistance needs, coordinate response, ensure ethical information collection and sharing and ensure protection principles and national and international standards of care for survivors of sexual violence are adhered to.
• Assess in-country resources, human, material and financial for response with relevant staff and agencies and assist in capacity building of national staff.
• Identify potential partnerships to support GBV project implementtio  : recommendations, assess potential partners where available or make recommendations on how to fill gaps.
• Represent Plan International to Gender Based Violence sector groups, stakeholders and Governmental and non-Governmental agencies (and military where present) for the purposes of the protection aspects of the assessment.

Program Design

• Contribute in the review of aims, objectives et strategies of the overall emergency response of Plan International Cameroon in the Far North region in taking into account the context of the IDPs
• In collaboration with protection actors and the other Emergency Response Team, develop a realistic evidence‐based, SGBV program plan for the Far-North including both programmatic and advocacy activities (results oriented)
• In collaboration with national and international Protection Spécialists, map current institutional response capacities in the area – including conducting an SGBV specific 4Ws (What, When, Where and Who).
• Ensure that issues of gender, GBV, DRR, and conflict sensitivity are factored into the program design.
• Ensure Plan’s guidelines and national and international standards of care for survivors of sexual violence are considered and any departures documented.
• Work in close collaboration with other program specialists to ensure that emergency interventions build upon each other and link in to longer term programming.
• Ensure the development of concept papers, and proposals on SGBV in respect of the above.

Response Management and Implementation

• Oversee all the SGBV projects implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Ensure technical support in all SGBV projects implementation in an integrated manner and in terms of protection as a matter of emergency.
• Support to the SGBV projects Coordinators in the management of the compliance with donor requirements (rules, procedures) :
• Support in the projects budget monitoring and management, including for procurement and distribution of resources, time management, work-plans and records
• Support Timely and accurate monitoring and financial and narrative reporting.
• Ensure Plan’s guidelines and child protection in emergency minimum standards and international standards of care for survivors of sexual violence are adhered to in the projects implementation
• Work closely with the relevant emergency program implémentation manager (Emergency Response Manager) to ensure that the implementation of relevant SGBV activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritized manner in full consultation and co-ordination with all relevant agencies both governmental and non-governmental.
• Provide technical guidance and direction to Plan for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of agreed SGBV in emergency plans with special emphasis on the most vulnerable SGBV survivors and at risk and their families. 
• Make frequent field visits to all affected areas to monitor implementation of SGBV activities with a focus on the Project activities in charge, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed including additional staffing or staff training or other.
• In coordination with Protection staff, support the Monitoring and reporting of SGBV concerns and violations of child rights commitments embodied in the UNCRC, resolution 1612 and other legal instruments.
• Contribute to coordination of Multi-Sectorial Services Pillar in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health (MoH) to improve coordination of service delivery, quality of care and ethical information sharing on GBV.
• Contribute in the promotion of Plan International goals and strategy on BIAAG  through advocacy and policy dialogue with the sectors responsible for Child Protection and livelihoods, Education, partnering in particular with, State technical service Ministries, UN Agencies,  INGO, and national NGOs to facilitate understanding of the importance of child protection and promotion of gender equity and rights by all stakeholders, and its inclusion in governance and reforms mechanisms, development planning and investment frameworks.
• Quality of survivor centered GBV programmes effectively promoted. Coherence and synergy gained by collaborating with key partners, addressing the multiple aspects of the protective environment, and value added to programme.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Lead the design and the development of appropriate surveillance, monitoring, evaluation and learning systems for SGBV projects implementation.
• Realize regular field monitoring of GBV programmes and projects.
• Contribute in the follow up of Plan child protection policy respect and draft recommendations for improved program design
• Prepare SGBV interventions reports to serve as standalone deliverables or to be included in larger emergency response reports for both donor and internal purposes.
• Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality assurance and accountability mechanisms, particularly in the SGBV Project implementation.
• Ensure knowledge management effectively promoted through drafting/finalizing key GBV sectoral programme documents and reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange with all partners, harnessing, knowledge institutions resources and partnerships.
• Conduct a training needs assessment with staffs, partners, volunteers and community workers across the field sites and develop a capacity building plan based on the results
• Ensure timely documentation of GBVIMS and timely submission of all weekly, Monthtly, quarterly and annually report
• Contribute to ensure properly and timely Plan international, Government and all implementing partners accountability, regarding supply and non-supply assistance as well as quality technical  support.

Information and Co-ordination

• Provide regular updates to Emergency Response Manager (Team Leader) and emergency team on progress, priorities and constraints, particularly in the SGBV projects implementation. verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency.
• Engage and follow up with relevant Implementation Coordinators.
• Represent Plan in governmental and non-governmental groups as needed and agreed with the Emergency Response Manager
• Support the implementation of, and represent Plan in, SGBV coordination mechanisms including any relevant cluster/sector.
• Brief updates and reports on sectoral activities/strategies to donors and other stakeholders.

Human Resources and Administration

• Coordinate and/or implement training and briefing of Plan staff, partners, and other key stakeholders on SGBV, especaily in emergency and/or related issues.
• Support to the management of SGBV Projects staff in compliance with Plan procedures.

Capacity building

• Training and refreshing of stakeholders and Plan staff.
• Mainstreaming  of  GBV   prevention and responses  activities
• Conduct core trainings for staff, partners, volunteers and community workers on psychosocial support
• Strengthen the capacities of staff and partners on  GBV  strategies, approaches Specific capacity building plan for community actors and those of the partner structures (Officers of the Program components, Community Relays and Case Workers, Focal Points of partner health facilities, etc.)

Dealing with Problems:

The post-holder will make rapid assessments of situations and then make judgements for the organisation on strategic choices and action often with incomplete information
The job requires decisions to be made on the basis of assumption and experience, as little hard information will be available.  Decisions need to be context specific and there will often be no precedents to draw upon.
Management judgement will be required to negotiate and influence local Plan teams to take steps to respond in ways that may be new or worrisome in contexts that are stressful to all involved
Decisions may affect the lives of thousands of disaster affected children, millions of dollars, security of staff, and the profile of Plan across the humanitarian sector and across media.
Excellent risk-assessment and management is required to support decisions that may require overcoming attitudinal, systemic and physical barriers

Communications and Working Relationships:

Key External Contacts

• Emergency Response Manager, other members of the Emergency Response team like Child protection in Emergency Specialist, EIE Specialist and the Country Child protection team as appropriate
• Other agencies and groups responding to the emergency, in particular those working in the SGBV and child protection in emergency sector.

Reporting lines

• Reports to Emergency Response Manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a représentative of Plan. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan's core values and humanitarian principles.
Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.
Work style: Is well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills.
Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of CPIE, Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct. Requires general finance, administration, information management and telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills. Knowledge of Plan policies and procedures a plus.
Humanitarian aid experience.
Fluency in English. French is an asset.
Multiple language skills desirable.

Education & technical Knowledge

Advanced university degree in social work, preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field specifically pertaining to protection issues affecting children and women.
Minimum of 5 years work in humanitarian affairs, human rights, and related sectors, with at least 03 years progressively responsible professional experience in SGBV in emergencies, preferably with exposure to child protection (including psychosocial support, case management,…),
Good knowledge of Protection Principles and Emergency Response,
Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following: Survivor centered approach, guiding principles on care of survivors, IASC Guidelines for Gender-based, violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings,
Use of data and indicators in GBV in respect of WHO Ethical Guidelines.
Common Technical Knowledge Required:
Methodology of programme/project management
Programmatic goals, policies and strategies for sectoral programmes
Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.
Gender equality and Diversity awareness.
Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)
Government development plans and policies
Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to Plan International programmes
UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
UN common approaches to programmatic issues and Plan International positions
UN security operations and guidelines.
UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partnersents
Demonstrable technical expertise in implementing community-based protection responses.
Experience with participatory approaches to GBV in emergency,
Experience of conducting SGBV assessments in emergency contexts.
Experience of training on SGBV technical areas with a variety of audiences.
Minimum of one successful assignment in an emergency situation/context;
Have a good knowledge and understanding of DO NO HARM principles and established international Child protection standards (especially UNCRC)

Skills

Excellent written and spoken English with French an advantage
Demonstrated ability to network and liaise with major SGBV and Child protection donors including GFFO, SIDA, Irish Aid, UNICEF, ECHO.
Excellent project design, participatory monitoring and evaluation skills
Excellent communication skills: well argued plans for response that can be justified and delivered, persuasive of others.
Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
Ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and manage significant activities, budgets, and resources to produce and take responsibility for results
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively.
Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Strong organizational and work prioritization skills and attention to detail
Good facilitation skills and ability to deliver induction briefing/training.
Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels, and to maintain this under pressure.
Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.

Behaviours: 

Commitment and adherence to humanitarian values and standards,
Willing to make rapid decisions even with inadequate information but ready to reflect and adjust course of action if necessary;
Focussed  and striving for the delivery of programme;
Cross-culturally agile
Aware of own strengths, weaknesses and pro-active in using feedback and self-development
Aware of impact on others and uses impact to create positive climate at work
Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to PLAN's core values and humanitarian principles
Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.
Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive under pressure.
Preparedness to live and work in uncertain security environments.
Experience working in conflict or emergency-affected areas (or other situations where insecurity and corruption can be big issues).

Physical Environment and Demands:

• May be “typical office environment”; note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel, etc.
• Frequent field visits, sometimes to hazardous environments and at short notice.
• Periods of intense work at all times of day and night.
• Working in multiple locations and on the move.

Next step

To apply for this job, kindly click on “Apply “. Your application should include:

• A Covering letter
• A Comprehensive CV including details of three referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent supervisor

Location: Maroua

Closing date: 31/10/2018

NB: The shortlisting and the interview will be done progressively as the applications are received.

Plan International Cameroon operates in an equal opportunity environment and actively encourages diversity. Only applications received in French or English will be treated and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Plan international has a safeguarding children and young Policies and gender equality policies that are integral part of the recruitment process.