Position Status: Contingent

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing eighteen Months, Global Affairs Canada; Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (GAC, PSOPS) funded project Gender and Conflict-Sensitive Approaches to Peacebuilding in Ethiopia (GCAP) across the Afar, Oromia and Somali regions. The overall goal of the project is increased peace, security, and stability for people, particularly women and young women and men, in Ethiopia. The project is structured around two areas: (I) support formal and informal institutions to improve their capacities to prevent and manage conflict and (ii) increase meaningful representation and participation by women and women-led organizations in conflict management and peacebuilding processes within formal and informal institutions.

General Position Summary

Under the supervision from the Gender Equality and Peacebuilding coordinator and Gender Equality and Peacebuilding Team Lead, The Gender Equality and Peacebuilding specialist will be responsible for leading, designing and implementing as well as provision of technical support on Gender and Conflict Sensitive approaches to peacebuilding activities in the Somali operational woredas. Mercy Corps is looking for a strong Gender Equality and Peacebuilding Specialist who will have the responsibility to lead and implement all the technical aspects of Gender and Conflict-Sensitive Approaches to Peacebuilding (GCAP) program in the Somali Region.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision

Support to

·         Develop and strengthen understanding of the Gender and Conflict Sensitive Approaches to Peacebuilding in the Somali Region.

·         Actively take part in the assessments of GBA+ and Conflict Analysis of the GCAP project operational areas.

·         Design proper strategies and approaches and detailed workplan for effective implementation of the GCAP Project.

·         Contribute to the development of Activity Concept Note (ACN) to ensure that peace and conflict-sensitive principles and gender transformative ideas are integrated and implemented across the GCAP project.

·         Ensure all project activities are delivered at the highest standards possible.

·         Continuously collect and share new updates and developments related to GCAP project at the regional level.

·         Ensure effective and timely monitoring, documenting, and reporting on all GCAP project activities as per the policies and practices of Mercy Corps, the donor, and the government.

·         Develop quarterly workplans including key program performance indicators and review them quarterly.

·         Other duties as assigned.

Program Implementation

·         Establish the work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools, and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations.

·         Build the capacity of regional and sub-regional government staff, civil society, and key influential figures to facilitate inter and intra-community dialogues, gender and GBV issues links to peace building work through the training of local peace committees, traditional leaders, female peace agents and woreda-level government officials.

·         Ensue the delivery of timely and accurate progress reports for information and decision-making purposes to the country office management team, donors, stakeholders, and local governments. Facilitate the development of a research and learning agenda linked to gender, peace, and conflict.

Monitoring, Reporting and Coordination

·         Conduct regular woreda level follow-up visits.

·         Collaborate and work with MEL (M&E) team.

·         Generate learning and evidence from the project implementation.

·         Develop regular reports as per the donor expectations including success stories and best practices.

·         Collaborate with the GCAP project manager in sharing information

·         Participate on relevant coordination platforms and forums

Team Management

·         Build effective relationships with program teams and implementing gender sensitive peacebuilding and conflict management activities based on mutual trust, collaboration, urgency, and curiosity.

·         Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback formally and informally.

·         Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

·         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.

Security

·         Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

·         Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Knowledge and Experience

·          BA Degree or master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, Gender and development Studies, Law, or related Social Science fields.

·         At least 4 years work experience in implementing Conflict prevention or peacebuilding and Gender programs.

·         Experience in providing capacity building training for staff and stakeholders.

·         Previous work experience in the Civil society Organizations and other international organization is an advantage.

·         Project management experience and ability to conduct technical and financial planning of operations

·         Very good standard of English, Fluent in at least two of the following languages: Somali and/or Amharic (capable in all three a strong benefit)

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, work within a complex security and political situation and to follow strict security protocols. A willingness to relocate for short-term as necessary within coverage regions, based on programmatic needs, work independently and as part of a team are essential Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)