The position provides an overview of the primary responsibilities and key functions related to the role. The successful candidate will be expected to manage a variety of tasks, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives while maintaining high standards of performance. Key requirements include relevant experience, specific technical or soft skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Additionally, the role may involve overseeing projects, analyzing data, or supporting operational processes to drive efficiency and innovation within the department.
The Emergency Women’s Protection and Empowerment Coordinator, within the Global Surge initiative, oversees the implementation of WPE programming in high-intensity emergency contexts.
This position may encompass expedited evaluations, the initiation of programs, the formulation of strategic plans, the preparation of proposals, technical supervision, recruitment and management of staff, budget administration, adherence to grant requirements, and collaboration with local partners.
A strong candidate will have a proven history of working autonomously within high-pressure settings and employing innovative, adaptable design strategies to women’s safety and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response initiatives in humanitarian environments.
Oversees and executes key duties encompassing strategic planning, team leadership, and operational efficiency to drive organizational success. Collaborates with cross-functional departments to align objectives and foster a productive work environment. Analyzes performance metrics to identify trends, address gaps, and implement data-driven solutions for continuous improvement. Ensures adherence to company policies, regulatory standards, and industry best practices while maintaining high levels of accountability and professionalism. Develops and mentors team members to enhance skill sets, promote career growth, and cultivate a culture of excellence.
Context evaluation:
Upon identifying an emergency situation, assess the most severely affected areas to determine where women and girls face the greatest impact, highest unmet needs, and emerging protection risks.
Perform stakeholder analysis by regularly updating and refining the existing actor mapping to recognize critical stakeholders and foster strategic partnerships that advance the delivery of gender-based violence prevention and response services.
Develop and execute comprehensive, multi-sector needs assessments to systematically identify gaps, priorities, and opportunities across relevant domains.
Program design and management encompasses the strategic planning, development, and oversight of initiatives to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and stakeholder needs. This involves establishing clear goals, defining project scope, allocating resources efficiently, and implementing structured methodologies to monitor progress and mitigate risks. Responsibilities include coordinating cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and maintaining accountability through transparent communication and performance tracking. Additionally, the role demands adaptability to evolving requirements, adherence to best practices, and continuous evaluation to drive project success and deliver measurable outcomes.
Deliver strategic direction, leadership, and comprehensive technical oversight of IRC’s Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) response, ensuring alignment with the emergency strategy and response outcomes. Maintain high program quality while upholding IRC’s established standards and methodologies.
Lead and spearhead the establishment, execution, and oversight of emergency Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives, encompassing comprehensive Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management, secure environments tailored for women and girls, as well as GBV prevention and mitigation strategies.
Collaborate with prospective partners to establish a WPE strategy aimed at addressing identified GBV risks and needs, defining a clear problem statement, response modalities, activity sequencing, and resource requirements.
In partnership with response leadership and technical coordinators, contribute to developing a comprehensive emergency response strategy that aligns with and enhances collaborative efforts, ensuring the IRC’s initiatives complement and reinforce those of its partners. Facilitate purposeful and inclusive WPE partnerships with community-based and national GBV stakeholders, prioritizing collaborations with women-led organizations and women’s rights networks to advance shared goals.
Lead the development and execution of RACE (RISE) and Protection initiatives—such as Social Work in Emergencies, Community Risk Mitigation efforts, MHPSS, case management referrals, Cash for Protection, and material support—ensuring full alignment with emergency response objectives and established standards. Additionally, create and facilitate community-based risk mitigation and capacity-building programs, including training on protection mainstreaming, outbreak adaptation, safeguarding protocols, Psychological First Aid, infection prevention and control, and referral mechanisms, while fostering community-led protection strategies in challenging outbreak and insecure environments.
Engage collaboratively with colleagues across departments—including child protection, PRO, and other sector partners—to proactively identify and mitigate risks of gender-based violence (GBV). Facilitate seamless linkages between initiatives while integrating protection best practices to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
Through strategic program design, robust team capabilities, and positive behavioral practices, guarantee that clients—with a focus on women and girls across all diversity dimensions—are actively engaged in the co-creation and execution of IRC initiatives, ensuring their access to services and programs is both impactful and secure.
Design technical tools, methodologies, or innovative approaches to address operational challenges, enabling efficient response initiation and seamless day-to-day execution.
Support emergency WPE staff in executing and overseeing work plans, guaranteeing that all activities align with the commitments IRC has made to both the donor and the community.
IRC relies on strategic oversight of partner relationships to foster collaborative design, maintain consistent communication, and rigorously track project progress, all aimed at fulfilling program goals.
Design and establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to facilitate systematic reporting and data-driven analysis, thereby enhancing program performance and overall quality.
Deliver a thorough handover to the incoming successor, guaranteeing the complete transfer of all relevant documentation, program data, and staff performance records.
Overseeing the allocation, tracking, and reporting of funds to ensure compliance with grant requirements and financial regulations.
Oversee the execution of emergency grants and programs by leading recruitment and training initiatives, crafting detailed work plans, and coordinating procurement and inventory strategies. Additionally, handle budget management and develop robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to ensure effective program delivery and accountability.
Craft meticulously detailed technical proposals and reports, collaborating closely with relevant program staff to ensure alignment with IRC standards and donor specifications.
Collaborate with IRC grants and finance staff to finalize proposals and respond to any requests for additional information.
Staff management:
Recruit, onboard, and supervise emergency WPE staff, and provide ongoing training and targeted capacity building, including technical guidance, on the job coaching and supervision, and capacity development plans on technical and managerial skills
Ensure strict adherence to and thorough understanding of the IRC Code of Conduct, as well as policies concerning Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding among new WPE staff. This involves guaranteeing staff and community members are informed about, and have safe, confidential access to, reporting mechanisms and support services.
Foster professional and collaborative relationships with team members, cultivating a cohesive team dynamic while offering leadership and direction to empower staff in executing their roles effectively.
Coordination and representation responsibilities entail collaborating across departments to ensure seamless project execution and acting as the primary liaison for external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and regulatory bodies, to uphold organizational interests and maintain strong professional relationships.
Cultivate and sustain productive professional relationships with essential stakeholders, such as donors, government representatives, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other pertinent organizations.
Regularly participate in emergency gender-based violence (GBV) coordination and task force meetings at relevant levels to ensure the integration of IRC priorities from the field into these discussions.
Dedicate efforts to elevating women’s protection issues and obstacles in appropriate forums to advance the establishment of standardized standards and procedures governing the implementation and coordination of GBV programming at the operational level.
Candidates must meet the following qualifications to be considered for this role. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, along with at least three years of professional experience in a similar capacity. Proficiency in specific software tools and strong analytical abilities are essential. Additionally, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary to collaborate effectively with teams and stakeholders. The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment is also crucial. Familiarity with industry standards and best practices is preferred.
A master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience—is required for this role.
Candidates must possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response programming, specifically at the Coordinator level or higher. Demonstrated success in overseeing multi-donor portfolios within contexts of emergency response, program initiation, and project launch is essential.
Demonstrated success in directing RACE initiatives within emergency or outbreak response contexts, equipped to develop community engagement frameworks, address public perceptions and information demands, and align RACE efforts across health, WASH, and protection domains.
Strong preference will be given to candidates with hands-on experience in IRC systems and processes, particularly those familiar with IRC operations.
Proficiency in essential donor regulations, including those stipulated by UNHCR, FCDO, BPRM, and ECHO, is required.
Professionals should possess demonstrated experience in engaging with and managing collaborations among the United Nations, donors, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other key humanitarian stakeholders.
Proven expertise in overseeing teams, enhancing staff capabilities, crafting project frameworks, and overseeing financial allocations is essential.
Demonstrated expertise in successfully establishing and scaling programs and/or operational initiatives within dynamic, high-stakes environments. Strong leadership capabilities and the ability to effectively manage teams are essential requirements for this role.
Demonstrated proficiency in communication, writing, and editing, with a strong capability to craft and refine grant proposals and reports effectively.
Adaptable and dependable, you thrive in dynamic settings characterized by constrained resources and evolving priorities. Your strong collaboration skills and ease in multicultural contexts enhance our team’s effectiveness.
Skilled in digital tools, with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and email/internet platforms.
Fluency in English is required, accompanied by outstanding oral and written communication abilities. Proficiency in French and/or Arabic is highly desirable.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA , PhD/Fellowship
Experience Required
5 years
