SGBV Specialist (Sexual & Gender Based Violence) - British Red Cross

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The British Red Cross (BRC) has been working in the MENA region since 2004 with partner national societies, and opened a satellite office in Beirut in 2013. The MENA & Mediterranean region work of the British Red Cross is implemented through and in close cooperation with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners in the region, currently mainly the IFRC, ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the Lebanese Red Cross, Libyan Red Crescent Society and the Yemeni Red Crescent Society. BRC are currently engaged with programming in, among others, National Societycapacity building, livelihood and cash preparedness, Protection including SGBV and Trafficking, relief and logistics-related programmes both bilaterally and multilaterally. As a result of the increase in SGBV programme activities and needed support on SGBV and Covid-19 in the region, BRC will hire an SGBV Specialist to support the work in the MENA region. The SGBV role is required in order to provide strong technical and programmatic support and development of this file to ensure that BRC can fulfil its technical SGBV offer to the RCRCM linked to Covid-19 response and provide capacity building for NSs as needed.

Job Purpose

To provide high quality technical SGBV support (Sexual & Gender Based Violence) to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners in MENA. The post holder will support IFRC MENA in developing SGBV & Covid-19 technical resources adapted to the MENA context and will provide support to Partner National Societies (PNSs) and Host National Societies on SGBV risk mitigation and integration in their Covid-19 response, business continuity plans and programs tackling the secondary effects of Covid-19.

The post-holder will also coordinate with PNSs, IFRC and ICRC on the BRC SGBV MENA file, ensuring that opportunities are identified, taken forward and maximized and that SGBV risk mitigation and SGBV activities are integrated into other sectors.

She/he will support BRC in developing its SGBV MENA Strategy and framework in coordination with RCRCM partners and will identify fundraising opportunities and lead on technical SGBV proposal develppment supporting BRC Country Managers. The SGBV Specialist will provide technical support to BRC programs in the region, ensuring SGBV mainstreaming in the various sectors of interventions (Livelihood, cash, health, protection) and advice on how to integrate SGBV components into BRC programs, particularly livelihood and Cash and Voucher Assistance.
Moreover, she/he will support IFRC Libya and the Libyan Red Crescent Society on the related component of the BRC supported protection program in addition to representing BRC in the RCRCM Libya Sub-Protection Working Group focused on integrating protection related components into their Covid-19 response.
The SGBV Specialist will conduct SGBV assessments in the MENA region, conduct SGBV desk reviews and situational analysis, develop SGBV Guidance, SOPs, tools and trainings adapted to the MENA context and will facilitate SGBV capacity building for RCRCM partners, with a Covid-19 focus.

The role will provide specialist advice and technical support to strengthen/establish SGBV capacities, SGBV mainstreaming and SGBV Prevention and response interventions with relevant national societies. In particular, it is envisaged that this post will contribute to:

• building programme, country office and partners’ capacities on SGBV mainstreaming and SGBV prevention and response.
• Building SGBV guidance and tools adapted to the MENA and County context

The SGBV Specialist will actively support staff in the implementation of programmes ensuring that interventions are in accordance with agreed standards, statutory obligations, donor requirements, partnership agreements and community-driven priorities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Support IFRC MENA on SGBV & Covid-19 (40%)

Support IFRC MENA on SGBV& Covid-19, working closely with IFRC MENA Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) Officer and leading on the SGBV file of the PGI section;

Review the IFRC MENA EoPA SGBV related components and work with the team, supporting them to operalize it as requested and needed

Participate actively in RCRCM Covid-19 MENA coordination forum as needed and agreed with IFRC

Review Natioanl Societies, IFRC and Regional Covid-19 Response Plans, provide feedback, input and technical support related to the areas of expertise of SGBV including identifying entry points for SGBV related work

Review National Societies business continuity plans/operations and provide feedback and technical advice on mitigating SGBV risks related to Covid-19, Provide technical advice on how to adapt activities to address the needs of SGBV survivors in light of Covid-19 and provide guidance on integrating SGBV considerations and activities into long-terms response of various sectors tackling secondary effects of Covid-19

Conduct rapid desk review and situational analysis of main SGBV  risks related to Covid-19 in the MENA region and per Country (increase in SGBV as a result of the pandemic; barriers in accessing life-saving SGBV services related to Covid-19 etc)

Review Global SGBV & Covid-19 related guidance and tools(GBV AoR, IASC, RCRCM, GBV IMS and others) and support IFRC MENA in operationalize it as needed, adapting it to the MENA context including:

Integrating SGBV considerations into Contingency plans

SGBV Referral pathways

SGBV Risk mitigation measures into Covid-19 response programs

SGBV Key messages to be integrated into Risk Reduction and Community Engagement activities

Collaborate with IFRC CEA officer (currently seconded from BRC) integrating SGBV considerations and key messages into CEA and ensuring that CEA activities and information can reach SGBV survivors and persons at risk of SGBV

Creation and leading of a MENA SGBV RCRCM Network

Review and adaptat SGBV training modules for Covid-19 response in MENA, integrating SGBV into existing Covid-19 related trainings and facilitate trainings or training component on SGBV

Technical SGBV Advice, support and guidance to BRC operations in MENA (30%)

Develop and conduct SGBV related assessments and evaluations (with a Covid-19 lense) in MENA region as needed

Support BRC MENA team at all stages of Programme Cycle Management including programme design and implementation of SGBV related interventions ensuring that they are adaped to Covid-19 context

Monitor funding opportunities related to SGBV and support the MENA team and fundraising department to develop funding proposals when opportunities arise

Support PMEAL and learning activities on SGBV where needed

Advise on best practices for integrating SGBV, including prevention and response activities that respect international and humanitarian standards and commitments, across various sectors and programs that BRC supports in MENA with a particular focus on Cash and Voucher Assistance, Livelihoods and Health (integrating SGBV& Covid-19 cosniderations and risk mitigations)

Engage with the Regional GBV sector to develop BRC’s network on GBV in MENA and in selected priority Countries including Syria, Libya, Lebanon and Yemen

Stay abreast of key SGBV related developments and trends in MENA and share periodically with the team and during BRC MENA regional meetings

Provide technical advice on SGBV on the BRC supported protection program in Libya in coordination with IFRC Libya and PNSs

Represent BRC in the Libya RCCRCM protection sub-working group and provide technical support required to ensure that protection is integrated into the Covid-19 Response of the National Society

Support BRC’s efforts to position the RCRCM as a relevant actor to prevent and address SGBV by developing relationships with key donors

Work proactively with ICRC MENA and BRC SGBV Advisor on identifying areas of joint interest, collaboration and potential support on sexual violence in MENA contributing to the development of BRC-ICRC partnership on sexual violence

Coordinate with PNSs, IFRC and ICRC on SGBV in MENA, ensuring that opportunities and entry-points for SGBV work are identified, taken foreward and maximised in a coherent and coordinated way across the RCRCM in MENA.

3. SGBV Capacity building of National Societies in MENA to strengthen their approaches to SGBV (30%)

Develop or adapt tools, resources and training on SGBV for the COVID-19 MENA context including (but not limited to)

Basic SGBV Training for fronline staff and volunteers working on the Covid-19 response: key concepts, guidincing principles to work with SGBV survivors, Safe Identification and Referals of SGBV survivors and basic psychological first aid

Advanced SGBV training for programme managers and sector specialist on SGBV mainstreaming and risk mitigation with a Covid-19 focus in light of long-term secondary effects of the pandemic in MENA

Support the development of learning activities and products on SGBV & Covid-19

Build the capacity of BRC and Partner National Societies relevant staff/volunteers on SGBV mainstreaming, integration of SGBV into other sectors interventions and SGBV-focussed programming in MENA

Facilitate training and assist partners through coaching activities when required including through remote training due to Covid-19 restrictions

Build a SGBV capacity building Action Plan for relevant National Societies, including baseline knowledge assessments, training and mentoring plan tailored to their needs.

General

Ensure regular communication with relevant BRC teams in Beirut and London offices .

Produce monthly SGBV MENA report and share it with the SGBV Advisor

Periodically develop evidence-based SGBV learnnings including best practices and lesson learned in MENA

Proactively engage with (support and learn from) other RCRCM SGBV colleagues

Ensure compliance with BRC relevant procedures, SOPs and guidelines.

Participate in relevant internal BRC meetings, development forums, workshops, courses, etc.

Be available and willing to carry out short missions to the MENA Region (e.g. Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Yemen) as required (up to 30%) to conduct the above mentioned tasks

Education

University degree or humanitarian qualification in human rights/humanitarian law, international relations, gender, social work, psychology or other relevant field - Required 

Languages

Fluency in English and Arabic - Required
French - Preferred  

Experience

Relevant professional experience in GBV roles - Required 

Experience working with and/or reporting to major donors - Preferred

Experience in humanitarian operations - Required 

Experience in RC/RC movement - Preferred

Experience in working on protection and/or GBV in conflict-related and/or displacement contexts - Preferred

Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating GBV-focussed programs - Required 

Substantial experience in providing technical advice on GBV programming - Required

Experience in designing and leading vulnerability and GBV needs assessments and needs analysis - Required 

Experience in partnership development and relationship building with local partners

Substantial experience in GBV capacity-building, both face-to-face and remotely - Required 

Experience in providing technical advice/ working on GBV& Livelihood/cash programs -Required 
• Experience in providing technical advice/ working on GBV& MHPSS/Case Management programs - Required 
• Experience in providing technical advice/ working on GBV& Health programs - Required 
• Experience in supporting policy and advocacy work - Required 
• Experience in developing and conducting research and learning on SGBV - Required 

Knowledge, skills and languages

Strong understanding of GBV issues within conflict and displacement settings in MENA and the general humanitarian sector - Required 

Strong knowledge of GBV/Protection related Minimum Standards and International Commitments - Required

Good knowledge of GBV case management guidance's and practices - Required 

Knowledge of working with the GBV Information Management System (GBV IMS) - Preferred

Understanding of International legal and policy framework on SGBV and MENA specific context - Required 

Knowledge of diversity and inclusion issues - Preferred

Strong communication skills, including ability to prepare and present concise oral and written reports, briefings, updates and other documentation - Required 

Strong capacity-building and training skills - Required 

Teamwork & commitment to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement; integrity & personal conduct; sensitivity to diversity; interpersonal skills; resilience; friendly - Required 

Have a positive attitude, proactive, resourceful, hardworking, trustworthy, mature and able to maintain confidentiality at all times - Required 

Ability to work independently and under pressure - Required 

Planning and analytical skills, with proven problem solving experience - Required 

Self-sufficient in computers (particularly Excel, Word, SharePoint) - Required 

Ability to establish priorities, plan, coordinate, implement and monitor work plans

Excellent relationship-building skills and diplomatic skills to influence long-term change and help collaborative working relationships with partners across the RCRCM (including ICRC, IFRC, National Societies) and beyond - Required 

Strong organizational skills including accuracy, consistency and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances - Required

Ability to develop and maintain effective remote working relationships with counterparts in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity - Required 

Competencies and values

Meticulous attention to details; Accountability, Integrity, Professionalism, Communication, Collaboration and teamwork, Judgement and decision-making, National Society and customer relations, Creativity and innovation.