Accountability Specialist

ABAAD aims at achieving gender equality as an essential condition to sustainable social and economic development in the MENA region. ABAAD has a proven record in working in addressing GBV in emergency settings. “Ending Gender-Based Violence: towards standardization and strengthening quality of services and direct response” is an initiative aiming at reducing the risks of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through women, boys and girls empowerment and improving the quality of multi-sectorial assistance for women and girls survivors or at risk of GBV among the host and Syrian refugee population.

BACKGROUND:

In order to increase vulnerable women and girls’ (from all nationalities) access to prevention and response services, ABAAD is setting up safe spaces for women and girls in various locations in Mount Lebanon, Northern, South, and Bekaa Governorates. The GBV Case Worker position is a key position in ABAAD’s Women and Girls Safe Spaces programme, ensuring the provision of appropriate case management services available to vulnerable women and girls, including survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

Reports to: Accountability and Learning Unit, Abaad

The Opportunity

This post is for a national Technical Officer to facilitate the development and establishment of an inter-agency complaint and feedback mechanism for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Accountability to Affected People (AAP) in the response to the Beirut blast activities and beyond the emergency phase across the humanitarian response, through an associated work plan. The position is 6 months and will be split between Abaad and the Inter-Agency PSEA Network, with direct coordination with Abaad’s GBV & PSEA Consultant, the PSEA Network Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Offices. The person will have a common awareness of PSEA and community engagement and accountability. The officer will also contribute to the development of a detailed strategy to transition the PSEA emergency response to a longer-term sustainable project. 

Dimensions of the Role

The post holder will ensure all work is developed and implemented in ways that promote gender equality.

The post-holder will lead on enhancing Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) across ABAAD and the Inter-Agency structure, and will develop appropriate tools and guidance to support partners incorporate AAP and PSEA into their work, alongside the PSEA & GBV Consultant.

The postholder will maintain strong linkages and consistent communication with ABAAD’s safeguarding and Programme teams, and the Inter-Agency PSEA Network.

Representation of ABAAD and the PSEA Network in relevant external meetings and inter-agency coordination groups, alongside the PSEA & GBV Consultant.

Responsibility for upholding and implementing relevant aspects of all ABAAD policies and procedures, including the Child Safeguarding and PSEA policies.

Tasks

Support/conduct a desk review of existing PSEA/AAP documentation relating to the response.  

Support development PSEA and AAP tools and training packages under ABAAD’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) PSEA system enhancement project, alongside the PSEA & GBV Consultant

Develop an action plan, linking with the PSEA Network action plan, and TORs related to the Inter-Agency CFM- provide PSEA/AAP technical support as advised by the GPO and the agreed Action Plan. 

Identify community preferences for information and feedback channels and map channels drawing from existing work by the PSEA Network, SGBV Task Force and Protection Sector, among others, focussing on groups most ‘at risk’ of SEA. Conduct risk assessments where necessary. 

Support the development and agreement of referral mechanisms for feedback between organisations, (if one organisation receives feedback about another organisation, how is this reported, actioned and the community informed of the outcome) including agreed protocols for timely responses and closing the loop.

Support the design of a context-appropriate community engagement strategy that informs the community about SEA risks and codes of conduct for aid workers, building community trust in feedback and complaints mechanisms, and informing the community about SEA survivor assistance packages, etc, in close coordination with the PSEA Network and other stakeholders. 

Act as a bridge between ABAAD, Inter-Agency structures, and humanitarian actors across Lebanon to enhance AAP 

Liaise closely with the safeguarding and programme teams and the PSEA & GBV Consultant

Develop capacity of humanitarian actors to implement AAP particularly during Lebanon’s current emergency response.

Support ABAAD with fundraising activities for AAP/PSEA related activities.

Key Relationships

Internally:

PSEA and GBV Consultant, Head of Programs, Gender Program Technical Support

Externally:

Inter-Agency PSEA Coordinator; In-Country PSEA Network members, SGBV Task Force, AAP/RCCE structures, other Interagency working groups and coordination meetings.

Skills and Knowledge

Comprehensive understanding of the humanitarian sector and emergency response in Lebanon following Beirut blast

Demonstrable experience of integrating gender and PSEA into humanitarian programmes.

Experience of implementing AAP, Community Engagement and PSEA activities and trainings in emergency response

Languages: English and Arabic, essential. French, highly desirable

Proven experience in networking and external representation.

Creative approach to problem solving is central to the job.

Flexibility to adapt plans to a changing environment

Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships; managing self in a pressured and changing environment; motivating and influencing others

Adherence to humanitarian principles and standards

Expertise while using Microsoft Office, Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox.

The Individual

We are seeking a dedicated and committed Accountability to Affected Populations Specialist with broad knowledge of Lebanon’s humanitarian sector and Inter-Agency structure, and demonstrable experience of integrating gender into humanitarian programmes.

To be successful in this role you will require experience of implementing humanitarian programmes, particularly of implementing AAP activities in emergency response. In addition to direct field experience, the APP Specialist should demonstrate understanding of humanitarian standards (Sphere, CHS etc). and have experience implementing PSEA activities and training.

The postholder should be a proactive problem-solver who has the flexibility to adapt plans and manage his/herself in a rapidly changing environment. The ability to network and develop and maintain collaborative relationships, influencing and motivating others will also be key.