PROTECTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICER
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- Mercy Corps
- Expires 12 Aug 2022
- Bulawayo
- Full Time
Job Description
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps partners with communities as they move from a place of fragility to resilience, meeting urgent needs while addressing root causes – always 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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been operating in Zimbabwe since 2002 focusing its interventions on a multi-sectoral market systems development portfolio mobilizing communities to promote small-scale agriculture and revive local economies. MC Zimbabwe seeks to support at-risk communities in Zimbabwe to move towards sustainable development through building resilience and strong inclusive systems in the face of climatic and economic shocks and stresses.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps Zimbabwe will implement a one (1) year USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)-funded ELEVATE program to respond to households experiencing acute food insecurity by providing life-saving food assistance and support agricultural interventions to improve resilience of vulnerable households in targeted underserved pockets of rural communities.
The Protection and Accountability Officer is responsible for leading and planning implementation of activities designed to enhance food security and resilience for women at household and community level through increased knowledge, understanding, and contribution to changes in social norms. S/he provides capacity building and technical assistance related to Protection and gender issues and women’s empowerment under the Mercy Corps ELEVATE program for project participants, project staff, and key stakeholders. The incumbent will also be responsible for assisting in refining the program design and implementation of all components of the project related to the intersection of gender issues, women’s empowerment and food security. The Protection and Accountability Officer will work closely with program staff to ensure program quality and impact in line with the goals and objectives of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Job Responsibilities
● Lead in the design and implementation of activities focused on the intersection of accountability,
gender and community empowerment.
● Establish and maintain a comprehensive accountability system for the project including complaints
and response mechanisms, community risk mapping (CRMs), complaints database, etc.
● Ensure all cases are closed and document how feedback is used to inform program implementation.
● Ensure that the project meets/complies to the Mercy Corps Zimbabwe Community Accountability
Response Mechanism (CARM) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Manage the production of
gender, protection and accountability related reports and advocacy across the humanitarian
response to better foreground the voices of affected populations.
● Ensuring effective coordination and influencing with other humanitarian responders, including
representing MC at coordination meetings.
● Act as the protection project focal point and technical adviser for gender, accountability, CHS and
related issues, such as PSEA and protection.
● Lead in the documentation of learning and production of human interest stories
Qualifications and Experience
● BA Degree in Gender, Social Sciences or a related field of study. MSc degree will be preferred.
● 3 years’ experience working in protection and accountability including experience challenging social
norms.
● Experience in managing CRMs and developing GBV prevention and mitigation pathways.
● Proven experience in Gender and Accountability training, mobilizing community groups, managing
multiple project activities, and leading and motivating a diverse team.
● The successful candidate will have a well-developed ability to conceptualize, plan and implement
program activities creatively, as well as the ability to analyse data, scale up and utilize lessons
learned for the continuous improvement of program implementation.
● Fluency in English verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization
skills are necessary.
● Report writing skills and the ability to make recommendations for improvement.
● Must be able to work independently and show initiative.
● Strong computer skills (MS Office), filing, and organizational skills.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work
independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
● Candidate must be willing to travel and work in difficult conditions.
● Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.
How to Apply
To apply, please send one document that includes your cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, contactable references, and your CV to Mercy Corps Human Resources at zw-hr@mercycorps.org by COB 12 August 2022. Applications should be clearly marked with the position applied for in the email subject line.
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity organization and encourages both female and male candidates to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and shortlisting will proceed as applications are received
