Country GESI Manager

Location: Ramallah, Palestine

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: 6A

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

In 2022, Mercy Corps launched its global ten-year strategy, ‘’Pathway to Possibility,’’ which reflects our ambitions to not only meet basic needs of communities affected by conflict and climate, but to achieve lasting, transformational change at scale. Pathway to Possibility (P2P) includes a three-layer resilience approach at its core and aims to deliver impact through four key outcome areas: Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunity, and Peace and Good Governance. P2P is also driven by five organizational commitments on being climate smart; evidence-driven; safe, diverse and inclusive; locally led; and innovative and creative.

To deliver on P2P, Mercy Corps global program departments have evolved to include two key teams: the Technical Resources and Quality (TRaQ) Unit which aims to deliver measurable impact, leads agency thinking in key technical and program management areas, and ensures quality programing while maintaining agency visibility with key audiences; and the Evidence & Learning (E&L) Unit, which leads Mercy Corps’ efforts to use data, evidence, and analytics to improve programs, scale what works, and influence others. Evidence & Learning at Mercy Corps comprises Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Research and Learning, Crisis Analysis, and a developing Knowledge Management/Evidence Use team.

In Mercy Corps Palestine, both TRaQ and E&L responsibilities sit within the Quality, Evidence, and Learning (QEL) Department, including the Country GESI Manager role.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Country GESI Manager will lead on all elements of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) integration across Mercy Corps Palestine programs. They will design and conduct context- and program-specific GESI analysis, as well as provide technical inclusion expertise around program design, implementation, and assessment. They will work hand-in-hand with Program and QEL Teams to monitor inclusivity of activities and systems and ensure successes and opportunities for improvement are captured and actioned. They will provide technical inputs to inform discussions, proposal development, implementation, and monitoring techniques to ensure inclusion best practices are mainstreamed.

Essential Responsibilities:

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead on the design, implementation, dissemination, and action planning around inclusion- related analyses (GESI, Context, Needs, Gender, or others) tailored to the needs of Mercy Corps Palestine programs, learning agendas, or new initiatives.
• Support country-level adherence to MC Global and Regional GESI best practices in design and implementation (GESI Minimum Standards, protection principles, etc.);Lead on the contextualization and rollout of Mercy Corps’ global GESI Toolkit in Palestine
• Lead on the skill building of GESI, Program, and other QEL Team members around GESI principles relevant to their work and professional development.
• Provide technical interpretation and guidance—together with the Safety and Security Team—around evolving contextual restrictions and guidance for gender-related work, including use of locally sensitive terminology, to ensure the safety of our team, partners, and participants as well as the continuation of critical inclusion work
• Participate in the Mercy Corps teams’ vision, strategic planning, and execution thereof for gender equality and social inclusion.
• Contribute to and occasionally lead on country-level initiatives such as research agendas and internal learning exercises tied to inclusion in our programming; Participate in cross- departmental collaboration and coordination to ensure that GESI is integrated into all program activities.
• Remain apprised of the evolving inclusion context, particularly in Gaza, and the shifting gender and power dynamics and implications for our programming to ensure technical guidance is relevant and accurate and attuned to the social, economic, and political situation.
• Support the team during proposal development processes through GESI mainstreaming in program activities, appropriate GESI budgeting, GESI language, and evidence-driven inclusive design.
• Work closely with QEL and Program Teams to establish assessment, monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure and improve upon program quality and impact, specific to GESI priorities and tailored to unique program interventions.
• Ensure GESI-related lessons and learning are captured and linked to evidence in Mercy Corps Palestine’s learning databases/platforms to inform future implementation and design
• Ensure GESI priorities are integrated across tools, theories of change, indicators/performance metrics, and log frame
• Engage in program design, coordination, and reflection meetings to provide real-time reflection on GESI considerations and support in translating recommendations into concrete, realistic GESI Action Plans for teams
• Work directly with program-specific GESI Focal Points and Program Leadership to facilitate the follow-up and adaptive management around GESI Action Plans and other relevant inclusion learning
• Conduct regular field visits in program locations to identify gender equality and social inclusion needs and make recommendations to programs.

CAPACITY BUILDING AND TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Engage in the capacity assessment and action planning with partner organizations to support inclusive approaches across all programming, in collaboration with Program and CARM colleagues.
• Provide country teams with technical support, coaching, and direct capacity building to ensure high-quality GESI integration in programming
• Promote team accountability, clearly communicate expectations and timelines, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools, direct guidance, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Support the professional development and technical excellence of Mercy Corps Palestine GESI colleagues—regardless of whether they are direct reports—including development of a training and capacity building plans and regular trips to implementation areas to provide technical support and guidance on-site.

REPRESENTATION AND COORDINATION

• Network among key actors, and lead on MC Palestine representation to working groups, clusters and sub-cluster working groups.
• Serve as MC Palestine Country Office GESI focal point; Facilitate connections between Palestine GESI team members and broader global initiatives, processes, and colleagues, including but not limited to the Regional GESI Advisor, Global GESI policies, remote capacity building opportunities, relevant Communities of Practice, etc.
• Represent MC Palestine in the Regional GESI Community of Practice and share country- specific achievements and learnings with the wider regional group.

Supervisory Responsibility

None at time of hire

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Advisor, Program Quality, Evidence and Learning (QEL)

Works Directly With: Program Leadership, Country MEL Manager, CARM Senior Officer, Safeguarding Officer, Regional GESI Advisor

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

EDUCATION:

• University Degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Development Studies, International / Humanitarian Law, Communications or similar; master’s degree preferred
• Professional humanitarian qualifications / recognized training certificates in accountability- or inclusion-related areas (CHS, PSEA, investigations, etc.).

EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• 5-10 years of general professional experience, and at least 3 years working with humanitarian / development organizations (or similar entities) with responsibilities related to inclusion, gender, and/or program quality
• Experience conducting needs/context analyses, gender/inclusion analyses, or related research
• Experience and demonstrated skill in conducting trainings or building capacity around sensitive or challenging topics such as inclusion and equity
• Intermediate to advanced skills qualitative research methodologies and digital analysis and data management platforms are an advantage
• Knowledge of relevant sectoral areas implemented by Mercy Corps Palestine, including Youth, Emergency Response, Cash, WASH, Shelter, Business Development, Economic Opportunities, Market-Based Approaches
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated ability of principles and practices related to confidentiality, protection, and interviewing of extremely vulnerable individuals
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment with competing priorities, tight deadlines, and in a complex emergency context;
• Demonstrated experience using MS Office
• Experience facilitating technical training and consultations remotely and/or in-person.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Arabic languages required
• Understanding of social, political, and economic context in Palestine strongly preferred.

LANGUAGES:

• English (required)
• Arabic (required)

Success Factors

The successful Procurement Officer will coordinate procurement tasks to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial and training capacity while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a solid commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international

standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Success Factors

The Country GESI Manager has experience working closely with or managing programs and an ability to adjust technical theories to meet real world complexities. The individual should have the proven ability to influence donors, partners, and peer organizations, as well as the technical and computer skills to navigate digital systems/tools. The role requires strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, and a level of emotional intelligence that enables them to quickly build and maintain productive relationships across teams. Awareness of and sensitivity to international development issues, sectoral priorities and shifts, and contextual expertise are pivotal.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online HERE no later than 12:00 on Sunday,29 Dec 2024.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.