Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) Specialists

The Swedish Red Cross is looking for potential service providers (consultancy companies or Individual freelancers in the Middle East and North Africa region, preferably based in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, or Iraq) to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of our Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) programmes in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Who we are

The Swedish Red Cross is part of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Red Cross/Red Crescent is working to improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters and emergencies. We support people whoever they are, wherever they are.

As one of the 192 National Societies (NS) in the Movement, the Swedish Red Cross contributes towards emergency response in various ways ranging from technical to financial support. For example, in 2019 we support with food, shelter, health care, water and sanitation to people in need. We are bound by the Red Cross/Red Crescent fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

Our approach to Protection, Gender and Inclusion

To ensure an effective humanitarian and development response that reach the most vulnerable and address the specific needs, capacities and protection risks of women, men, of all ages and backgrounds, Protection, Gender, and Inclusion considerations should be reflected in the response, from the initial assessment and throughout the program cycle. To uphold the humanitarian principle of impartiality, the Red Cross/Red Crescent promote gender equality and diversity at all levels in the organization as well as in the work.

The aim is to support the Host National Societies (HNS) to address the needs and protections risk of the most vulnerable women and men of all ages and with diverse backgrounds whilst drawing on their capacities and engagement. It includes ensuring the dignity, access, participation, and safety with a people centred approach. The Swedish Red Cross has field presence in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine and we work together with the HNS to strengthen the PGI portfolio on both institutional and operational level by contributing with financial and technical support.

The Technical support is led by the SRC thematic advisor who coordinates the needed interventions which can be short term or long-term support on a local, national, or regional level.

Expected scope of assignment:

The PGI specialist will support the National Societies (NS) Partners in MENA to enhance the impact, reach, quality, efficiency and sustainability of services and operations through implementing PGI activities and standards. To ensure the dignity, access, participation and safety (DAPS) of the target populations. This includes PGI mainstreaming and/or the creation of an enabling environment (institutional support) within the NS. The PGI specialist provides operational capacity including but not limited to identifying protection risks including child protection and sexual and gender-based violence and take action to prevent, mitigate and respond to violence, exploitation, and abuse, including safe, confidential and referral mechanisms and appropriate reporting.

The PGI specialist will provide technical support (fully/partly) to ensure SRC supported programmes and operations are mainstreaming PGI throughout and are reaching the gender marker 2. Additionally, they will work with NS sectorial technical staff/advisors to ensure that the targeted programmes and operations are implemented in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescents Minimum Standards for Protection, Gender and Inclusion and promotes the dignity, access, participation and safety of women, men, girls and boys of all ages and backgrounds.

Based on specific terms of reference you may perform all or some of the below:

Provide technical support when conducting sectorial and/or protection assessments to identify specific PGI related needs, concerns, protection risks and capacities of persons of all gender identities, ages, disabilities and backgrounds are collected sensitively and safely; are analysed; findings are documented securely and in coordination with other relevant protection actors.
Designing PGI oriented activities, for instance, designing awareness raising material on PGI related topic such as child protection or domestic violence.
Design and deliver capacity building activities for NS staff, volunteers and community members in order to build understanding and ownership of PGI, support the implementation of the PGI Minimum Standards, reduce PGI risks in the operational environment, and build sustainable local capacity.
Provide technical support to the NS, and in coordination with other agencies, map and disseminate protection referral pathways.
Undertake monitoring and provide reporting on the operational context and the protection risks ensuring that prevention, mitigation and response are targeted and adapted to the changing context, risks and needs.
Document and share PGI lessons learned, smart practices and other useful findings within SRC and HNS counterparts

Qualifications and Experience

Technical Competencies

Strong operational experience in mainstreaming Protection, Gender, and Inclusion standards throughout the program cycle.
Experience in addressing the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence before, during and after emergencies including safe, confidential, and appropriate referral mechanisms.
Extensive knowledge and application of universal standards and guidelines including Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines for Gender, Protection, and Gender-Based Violence Interventions and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment in Humanitarian Action
Documented experience in adult learning and in providing technical capacity building, specifically with PGI Focal Points and other sectorial staff and volunteers.
Knowledge in PMER including strategic PGI planning, assessments, evaluation and monitoring to ensure PGI outcome, outputs, indicators, and budgets are included in SRC supported programs.
Knowledge and ability to coordinate with relevant local stakeholders including sharing learning, resources, and capacities when possible.
Experience in PGI Organisational Development to ensure an enabling environment within the NS, including policy development and awareness raising/advocacy with the NS leadership to ensure acceptance and ownership of the PGI file.

Generic Competencies

Knowledge and skills in development of strategies and work plans.
Assessment and programme management skills, including design and development of activities and indicators.
Report writing skills
Coordination, organization, facilitation, training, and mentoring skills
Planning, monitoring, evaluation, and analytical skills
Ability to shape the response based on the participation of the affected population and communities
Experience from working and living in volatile security environment
Stress tolerance/management in volatile security environment
Ability to cope with frequent travel and field visits

Required qualifications

University Degree in relevant areas of expertise
Proficient in the use of IT Office Tools and electrical software tools
Valid driving license for manual transmission vehicles
Minimum of two to three years of field experience in relevant area of expertise (programs and/or institutional).
Experience of local or/and regional humanitarian and/or development work
Proficient fluency in Arabic and good working proficiency in English
Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

Location: Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, or Iraq. We encourage applicants from these countries.

Duration of potential service contract: It depends on the mission. Most contracts are between 1 week and three months.