Program quality officer - GEDI and SFG

The Program quality officer - GEDI and SFG is responsible for mainstreaming IRC’s safeguarding and GEDI approaches for program preparedness and is responsible for communicating the IRC Safeguarding Minimum Standards and GEDI principles, working with other stakeholders, eradicating systemic discrimination within IRC, fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals feel respected, heard, valued, and supported  as well as identify structural and institutional barriers and discriminatory practices, with the goal of enabling the IRC – Iraq community to feel supported and free to contribute their best, regardless of the dimensions of diversity that they identify with.This role fosters dynamic staff learning and dialogue on safeguarding and works with IRC partners to support their own safeguarding strategies and approaches. This work with partners includes supporting their prevention efforts and reporting systems. Implement all necessary tools and steps as needed to ensure GEDI principles and safeguarding policies are integrated at all stages and points in our program’s implementation.

The Program quality officer - GEDI and SFG will be working under the direct supervision of the Iraq HR director and Deputy Director of Programs, with a technical link to the Regional Safeguarding advisor and Regional GEDI Director, and in close collaboration with the compliance coordinator, MEAL Department, program coordinators, and the partners.

Major Responsibilities:

Safeguarding

·        -  Integrate rapid service mapping and community-based reporting questions into needs assessment in partnership with Program Coordinators.

·         - Provide guidance, support and training to staff, partners and clients on safeguarding principles and best practices, as needed.

·         - Work with HR in the field offices to ensure a coordinated, well-tracked system to track the orientation of all newly hired IRC staff, enumerators, incentive workers, etc., to IRC policies related to Safeguarding, reporting guidelines considering the survivor center approach, and basic survivor referral and support options.

·         - Work with the HR/recruitment team to ensure that basic information on IRC safeguarding policies and expected behaviors is part of all IRC job postings.

·         -Integrate safeguarding into partnership agreements and conversations; make plans as needed to support partners to reinforce their own safeguarding policies and practices awareness of these pathways into community outreach and information.

·         - Promote two-way learning and dialogue on safeguarding and shared learning across the IRC network of partners.

·         - Work with the MEAL team to ensure safeguarding is duly integrated with the existing community-based reporting methods/tools in locations of implementation.

·         - Work with technical people and cultural staff, and the compliance coordinator in the country program on the development and implementation of all safeguarding activities.

·         -Present safeguarding progress and challenges in the country to SMT, Grants teams, and other.

·         -Rolling out of communication materials on safeguarding.

·         -Meet with other agencies safeguarding focal points to understand existing systems and inter-agency processes (e.g., PSEA network), and to ensure that IRC reporting channels are integrated into inter-agency efforts.

·         - Maintain accurate and confidential information related to staff clients or beneficiaries’ concerns.

·         - Promote the safeguarding of staff and clients on an operational day to day basis.

Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

·         -Identify and analyze barriers to Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) within projects, partnerships, and services delivered to the communities served by IRC.

·        -  Recognize programmatic gaps in GEDI and collaborate with the deputy director of programs to formulate effective strategies for overcoming these gaps.

·         -Conduct and create awareness-raising sessions and training programs on GEDI-related issues and organizational policies, encompassing anti-sexual harassment, gender equality, inclusive workplace, bias, discrimination/ racism cycle and fostering an inclusive culture.

·         -In coordination with technical leads, advise on integrating gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches across projects and initiatives.

·        -  Facilitate communication on gender GEDI matters between field and country office staff, GEDI focal points, Senior Management Team (SMT), and the GEDI unit as needed.

·         - Follow up on the GEDI Action Plan, regional GEDI goals, and GEDI priorities outlined in country Strategic Action Plans (SAPs) with reference to People’s Survey.

·        -  Attend Training of Trainers (TOTs) on GEDI-related topics to enhance personal knowledge and skills.

·        -  Gain a comprehensive understanding of gender equality challenges specific to Iraq.

·      -   Design initiatives addressing identified gender inequalities based on needs assessment. Lead the review of existing processes, policies, rituals, systems, tools, and spaces to identify obstacles, initiating transformations where necessary to advance the GEDI agenda.

·         -Contribute to regional and global dialogues and initiatives focusing on GEDI.

·       -   Invest in building the capacity of local organizations and individuals to sustain GEDI efforts beyond the initial implementation phase.

·        -  Provide regular, timely updates, and relevant information during monthly staff meetings.

·       -   Organize GEDI-related sessions during IRC WAY DAYs or staff retreats.

Lead and oversee Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), such as W@W and GEDI champions, fostering collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

·         - Develop the annual action plan for ERGs, detailing key activities, events, initiatives, and providing support for their successful implementation.

·         - With the support of the HR Director, manage the annual budget allocation for ERG groups to facilitate various activities and events.

·         - Enhance the visibility of Iraq ERG activities within the regional office.

·Spearhead the annual "16 Days of Activism Against GBV" Campaigns.

·         - Engage in regular meetings with ERG focal points at the regional office level.

·         - Ensure seamless collaboration and coordination between ERG focal points and GEDI champions, fostering a unified approach in promoting gender equality and inclusion.

·         - Undertake any additional tasks as required by the line Officer.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  50% HR Director – 50% Deputy Director of Programs

Position technically supervised by: Regional SFG advisor and GEDI Director
Position directly supervises:  N/A.

Indirect Reporting: Technical supervision over the SFG FCs, W@W FCs and GEDI champions.

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: IRC staff.

External: IRC stakeholders and partners.