Senior Program Officer, Adolescent Girls in Emergencies, the Women's Refugee Commission, NYC

Senior Program Officer, Adolescent Girls in Emergencies

BACKGROUND: The Women's Refugee Commission advocates vigorously for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people, including those seeking asylum—bringing about lasting, measurable change. The Women’s Refugee Commission is legally part of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

SCOPE OF WORK:

The WRC will undertake a year-long project focused on researching if and how programs implemented during emergencies target or are inclusive of adolescent girls. The Program Officer will conduct a field assessment to a new or ongoing emergency to interview affected populations, interview staff on the ground, review programmatic responses, and consult donors and other key stakeholders. The field assessment will assess if and how adolescent girls, aged 10-16, are being targeted and included in programs and services as well as identify their unique needs, protection risks and their and their communities’ proposed solutions. The Program Officer will also undertake a thorough literature review, capture all available learning and produce field guidance for emergency responders and humanitarian practitioners. Guidance will focus on how to better target and mainstream adolescent girls into programs and services in order to address their unique needs, mitigate their risks and better protect and empower them in these settings.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Implementation

• Develop research guide questions and undertake field assessment to current/ongoing emergency.
• Conduct a literature review of program and impact of projects reaching adolescent girls in emergencies.
• Synthesize learning and develop guidance for emergency responders, humanitarian practitioners and donors.

Research and Writing

• Manage and conduct desk and field research and assessments, this includes developing methodologies, analyzing data, defining findings and recommendations and conducting follow up.
• Write, edit and manage the production and distribution of initiative documents, including reports, guidance, policy papers, journal articles and other materials.

Advocacy and Public Education

• Develop, implement and conduct advocacy campaigns designed to expand and improve programming for adolescent girls affected by emergencies.
• Manage relationships with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, governments and others.
• Provide technical expertise and policy advice internally (Women's Commission staff and board) and externally (policy makers in governments, UN agencies, NGOs).
• Represent the Women's Commission to a variety of audiences, including with policy makers, government and U.N. officials, at public events, meetings, conferences, with media, and other venues as appropriate.
• Participate in appropriate networks and consortia to advance the project’s goals and objectives.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Oversee and manage the project budget.
• Oversee administration of project.
• Prepare donor reports.
• Coordinate with Senior Finance Officer on financial reporting requirements.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Minimum 5 years progressive non-profit work experience in refugee, humanitarian assistance and/or human rights work, including experience managing projects;
2. Masters Degree in international studies, political science, non-profit management or related field experience;
3. Previous experience working in emergency contexts as well as program experience targeting adolescent girls;
4. Proven track record conducting research, analyzing political and humanitarian issues, and writing reports and policy papers;
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grant writing and presentation expertise;
6. Solid diplomatic skills: the ability to effectively liaise with a variety of internal and external professional contacts;
7. Strong people management skills: the ability to work effectively with partners and colleagues;
8. Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced and detail-oriented team environment;
9. Good computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel and email/internet software.

Reports to:             Senior Director for Programs
                               Women’s Refugee Commission
Location:                New York, NY
Posted/Updated:    March 31, 2013
To Apply Click Here

The Women’s Commission considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

The Women’s Commission is an equal opportunity employer.