Disability Program Officer, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Disability Program Officer

Posted on: November 19, 2014
Application deadline: January 4, 2015
Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

BACKGROUND

The Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) is a research advocacy organization that seeks to improve the lives and protect the rights of women, children and youth displaced by conflict and crisis. We research their needs, identify solutions and advocate for programs and policies to strengthen their resilience and drive change in humanitarian practice. The Women's Refugee Commission is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization.

In 2008, the WRC undertook a six-month research project to assess the situation of persons with disabilities in displacement settings. Using our field research in five countries—Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, Thailand and Yemen—we issued a report, Disabilities among Refugees and Conflict-Affected Populations, and created a Resource Kit for Field Workers. To advance this work globally, we participated in a coalition of organizations that advocated for policy change within the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In October 2010, UNHCR's governing body adopted an Executive Committee Conclusion on Refugees with Disabilities that mandates the agency's offices to promote access and inclusion for refugees with disabilities.

Since 2011, WRC has been partnering with UNHCR on the global rollout of its guidance on Working with Persons with Disabilities in Forced Displacement. We have provided technical support and training to UNHCR country offices, their implementing partners and disability organizations in eight countries – Uganda, India (New Delhi), Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Philippines (Mindanao) and Lebanon – including urban and camp refugee contexts, internal displacement, and large-scale crises, such as the Syrian refugee response. Findings and positive practices were documented in our report Disability Inclusion: Translating Policy into Practice in Humanitarian Action. Over the last two years, the WRC has expanded partnerships on disability inclusion to other humanitarian organizations, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and a number of disabled people's organizations (DPOs).

JOB OVERVIEW

The Disability Program Officer, under the coordination of the Senior Disability Program Officer, will be responsible for ensuring that the organization's disability projects are fully implemented. These projects include four key areas of work:

1. 1. Promoting change in practice at field levels through the provision of technical advice and training to UNHCR and other humanitarian partners, including identifying gaps and opportunities to strengthen disability inclusion in programs, piloting actions and monitoring effectiveness of these interventions.
2. 2. Supporting DPOs to engage more in refugee issues at country, regional and global levels through awareness raising, training and the provision of sub-grants in selected contexts or projects.
3. 3. Building the evidence base on disability inclusion in gender based violence (GBV) programming in humanitarian settings through piloting and evaluating strategies, and designing technical tools and resources for GBV practitioners, in partnership with the IRC Women's Protection and Empowerment team.
4. 4. Promoting policy and practice change within the broader humanitarian community through the dissemination of findings and reports from field work, and targeted communication and advocacy campaigns with UN agencies, NGOs, donors and humanitarian practitioners.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design and implement field assessments and training packages on disability inclusion for field partners, and monitor the outcomes of field visits.
2. Communicate and coordinate with field partners in the planning of field visits, and manage the logistics of related travel.
3. Document findings of field visits, capturing progress, barriers and recommendations for advancing disability inclusion in a variety of programs and contexts.
4. Grants management, including monitoring, reporting and financial oversight, as well as the preparation and monitoring of any sub-grants delivered in the projects.
5. Represent the WRC's disability work at meetings and conferences, and contribute to advocacy and communications campaigns.
6. Assist with continued fund-raising for the WRC's disability work, including proposal development.
7. Collaborate and coordinate with other WRC staff to promote disability inclusion across other programs in the organization.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Senior Disability Program Officer

Position directly supervises: Interns (as appropriate)

Indirect Reporting: Senior Director for Programs

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: WRC advocacy and communications teams, and other WRC staff in the sexual and reproductive health, livelihoods and adolescent girls programs.

External: Staff from the Women's Protection and Empowerment unit in the IRC; staff in UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, as well as selected country operations; other UN agencies and humanitarian actors.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree/Master's preferred in international affairs, international development, human rights, disability studies or a related field

Work Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of field experience in humanitarian assistance – ideally working with persons with disabilities or promoting disability inclusion, or in protection fields

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated skills and experience in providing training, technical advice and / or conducting participatory evaluations
• Knowledge and expertise in humanitarian programs targeting displaced populations (refugees, internally displaced persons, and/ returning populations) is desirable
• Excellent organizational, writing and communication skills
• Proven record as a team player, demonstrating flexibility and diplomacy
• Good computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software)

Language Skills:

• Excellent written and spoken English; French or Arabic verbal language skills are also desirable

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The Disability Program Officer will work full-time, based in New York (standard office work environment), but with extensive field travel (approximately 50% of time).

For more information on our work at the Women's Refugee Commission and our Disability Program please visit http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/

WRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. WRC 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your resume along with a cover letter to wrcjobs@wrcommission.org.

Senior Program Officer - Adolescent Girls in Emergencies, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Senior Program Officer - Adolescent Girls in Emergencies

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

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.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1618-senior-program-officer-adolescent-girls-in-emergencies

To Apply Click Here

Senior Program Officer - Livelihoods in Emergencies, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Senior Program Officer - Livelihoods in Emergencies

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

BACKGROUND

The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) works to improve the lives and defend the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people. As an advocacy organization, the Commission is dedicated to bringing about systemic changes that lead to greater respect for the rights of uprooted women, children and young people. The organization strives to effect policy change with broad, worldwide impact.

SCOPE OF WORK

The WRC will undertake a year-long project focused on ensuring livelihood programs implemented during emergencies are effective and safe for participants, that they do not heighten risks of sexual and gender-based violence but, in fact, help to mitigate those risks. The Program Officer will conduct assessments of livelihood programs implemented during emergencies, review partner NGOs proposals to see how protection and risk mitigation are included, and develop field guidance for emergency responders, humanitarian practitioners and donors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Implementation

• Identify and coordinate/partner with NGOs implementing livelihood programs in emergencies.
• Undertake 1 – 2 field assessment missions to real-time emergencies to analyze and document if and how protection and risk mitigation is being included in emergency livelihood programs.
• Review livelihood project proposals and assess if/how protection and risk mitigation are/are not being included.
• Analyze findings and capture learning in summary report.
• Design guidance for emergency responders and donors on building protection and risk mitigation into their emergency livelihood programs.
• Develop distribution strategy for guidance document.
• Prepare and assist with implementation of advocacy/communications strategy for guidance launch and rollout.
• Engage humanitarian economic programming practitioners in the Commission’s livelihood work.

Financial Responsibilities

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

Research and Writing

• Manage and conduct desk and field research and assessments, as needed, to further develop and refine program guidance and collect further data.
• Write, edit, produce and distribution of program documents, including reports, guidance, possible journal articles and other materials.

Advocacy and Public Education

• In collaboration with senior staff, develop, implement and support advocacy campaigns designed to enhance economic opportunities for displaced women and youth.
• Provide technical expertise and policy advice internally (Women's Refugee Commission staff and board) and externally (policy makers in governments, UN agencies, NGOs) on economic issues affecting displaced women and youth.
• Represent the Women's Refugee Commission on refugee livelihood issues 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.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Master’s Degree in international affairs, economics, political science, non-profit management or related field.
2. Minimum 5 years of field experience in humanitarian assistance including in emergency contexts – ideally implementing economic programs serving displaced populations.
3. Minimum 2 - 3 years project management experience in refugee protection and humanitarian assistance and emergency response programs.
4. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in economic programs targeting displaced populations (refugees, internally displaced persons, and/ returning populations).
5. Strong research skills covering qualitative and mixed method research methodologies, literature reviews, and research analysis.
6. Excellent writing and communication skills, including synthesis of research findings, policy analysis and reports to donors.
7. Proven record of effective project management, demonstrating the ability to ensure that projects are carried out on time, within budget, and producing products of excellent quality.
8. Strong organizational skills..
9. Ability to travel – approximately 20% time.
10. Proven record as a team player, demonstrating flexibility and diplomacy.
11. Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of French or Spanish desirable.
12. Good Computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1619-senior-program-officer-livelihoods-in-emergencies

To Apply Click Here

Intern, Mary Anne Schwalbe Sexual & Reproductive Health Program, New York, NY

Sexual and Reproductive Health Intern

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

BACKGROUND

Since 1989, the Women’s Refugee Commission has advocated vigorously for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and displaced women, children and young people—bringing about lasting, measurable change.

ABOUT THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROGRAM
The Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Program promotes quality, comprehensive reproductive health care for crisis-affected women, men and youth in the areas of maternal-newborn health, family planning, STI/HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. The SRH Program:

• Ensures that reproductive health is on the agenda of humanitarian assistance organizations, development agencies, policy makers and donors.
• Participates in the seven-member Reproductive Health Response in Crises (RHRC) Consortium and the Inter-agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises.
• Advocates for the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health to be implemented in the earliest days of an emergency, and integrated into emergency preparedness plans.
• Produces tools and field-friendly guides on the MISP, maternal health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, STIs, gender-based violence, emergency contraception and emergency obstetric care for humanitarian workers to better implement reproductive health activities in emergency settings.
• Provides grants and technical assistance to local nongovernmental organizations in Thailand to expand and strengthen sexual reproductive health services, particularly for adolescents.
• Advocates for the international community to undertake a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach which protect women and girls from sexual violence and traditional practices in displaced settings.

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
This internship is best suited to students of public health with the desire to obtain experience in a professional advocacy organization. It will provide the opportunity to work closely on sexual and reproductive health advocacy issues, attend internal organizational presentations as well as external meetings and contribute to the daily work of the SRH Program. The SRH Program makes every attempt to respond to the interests and educational goals of the intern.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

• Conduct background research and draft literature reviews and other written material for RH program priorities, including disaster risk reduction, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, disabilities and other areas as they arise.
• Provide support to projects on adolescents, disaster risk reduction, disabilities and the IAWG’s global evaluation on SRH in humanitarian settings.
• Work with the IAWG Coordinator to provide updates to the RHRC Consortium website (www.rhrc.org) on a periodic basis, including Facts/Stats.
• Attend relevant meetings and conferences.
• Other tasks as required.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• To learn various data collection and analysis methods pertaining to adolescent SRH, disabilities and SRH, among other SRH-related topics in humanitarian settings.
• To understand the research to action model and how research translates into advocacy among different stakeholders for SRH in humanitarian settings.

MARY ANNE SCHWALBE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH INTERN
The Mary Anne Schwalbe intern will be asked to organize a presentation on the Women’s Refugee Commission’s Founding Director, Mary Anne Schwalbe, providing staff the opportunity to reflect on how the Women’s Refugee Commission’s reproductive health program’s work continues to honor her legacy.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree required, MPH student preferred;
• Excellent research, data collection, analysis and writing skills;
• Health-related and/or gender background;
• Fluency in Spanish or French a plus;
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Certification in the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for RH required. Certification takes approximately 3-4 hours. Available here: http://misp/rhrc.org

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a résumé and cover letter via email to: RHinternship@wrcommission.org

For more information on our Reproductive Health Program, please visit http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/programs/rh

Consultant - Emergency Preparedness, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Short-Term Consultant - Field Test of Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

DESCRIPTION

Since 1989, the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) has advocated vigorously for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and displaced women, children and young people—bringing about lasting, measurable change.

The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) program of the WRC leads innovative programming to improve the SRH of all persons affected by crises.  They identify critical gaps in SRH and make recommendations on solutions to better meet the needs of women and girls specifically.  To ensure that the minimum standard for priority SRH services are in place from the outset of an emergency, they advocate for implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health in crisis situations.  They advocate that after the crisis situation stabilizes, the full range of SRH services be available.  The WRC began advocating for the inclusion of SRH within emergency preparedness activities in 2010.

The WRC currently facilitates the official RH sub-working group of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), with the goal of developing policy and programmatic recommendations for the inclusion of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) within Emergency Preparedness and Planning activities.  The WRC is joined by the World Health Organization, International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) SPRINT initiative, UNICEF, UNFPA, the IFRC, CARE and International Medical Corps in efforts related to this issue.

Between 2011 and 2012, the group developed a SRH fact sheet for the 2011 Global Platform meeting, and a Policy Brief for the 2012 International Disaster Risk Reduction Day.  The group has additionally drafted a checklist of activities for implementation at the national, sub-national and community level which would support the incorporation of SRH within DRR and emergency preparedness.  This check list is currently in need of field test and review. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE & SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Emergencies and large-scale disasters have significant impact on public health, health infrastructure and the delivery of health care. More than 1.1 million deaths were recorded in over 4000 large-scale natural disasters in the past decade, with an average of over 220 million people affected each year. More than 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by fragility, conflict or large-scale violence. In 2012, it is estimated at least 51 million people in 16 countries require some form of humanitarian assistance. This is not the full picture, as numerous other emergencies, including epidemics, chemical and radiological incidents, and major transport crashes, also affect public health, particularly at the local level, but often with national and international dimensions too. Economic losses from these events run into the billions of dollars, setting back social development and hard-earned health gains.

• Emergencies have a disproportionate effect on the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children.
• Eight of the ten countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world are in fragile circumstances and are affected by current or recent conflict. Neonatal mortality rates are highest in areas affected by humanitarian emergencies.
• Given the high HIV prevalence in countries at risk or facing emergencies, a significant proportion of people affected by emergencies are living with HIV.
• Emergencies linked to displacement, food insecurity and poverty increase vulnerability to HIV and negatively affect the lives of those already living with HIV.
• Population pressures, combined with poorly planned urban and rural development and climate change, make communities more vulnerable to, and increase the risk of, emergencies and disasters.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a significant public health need in all communities, including those facing emergencies. As stated in the outcome document of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, universal access to reproductive health, including family planning and sexual health, is needed and should be integrated into national strategies and programmes.

ABOUT THE CONSULTANCY

The WRC currently seeks a consultant to assist in the field test of the draft checklist, developed by the official RH sub-working group of the ISDR.  Ideal candidates would possess experience working in disaster risk reduction, and have networks for this work in at least two countries.  Some field test locations may be selected based on existing government and agency networks.  Additionally, ideal candidates would posses some knowledge of field test methodology and tools. 

 

SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES

The Consultant is expected to work with the RH sub-working group of the ISDR, under supervision of the WRC in order to complete the following deliverables:

• Provide input to field test methodology and finalize protocol
• Draft e-tool for broad data collection regarding the existing checklist- to be implemented through survey format or through targeted outreach. Analyze and present findings.
• Travel and actively engage 2-3 country DRR teams in the revision and further development of the checklist Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health into Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management. 
• Implement field test methodology in each country (ie: consultation groups, and key informant interviews), incorporating all levels of the health system
• Summarize field input regarding recommendations for “field friendliness”
• Incorporate suggested revisions within checklist, for presentation to the working group
• Garner support within field offices for the finalization of such tools and obtain information about other resource needs

For more information on our work at the Women’s Refugee Commission, and our Sexual and Reproductive Health Program please click here.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1627-short-term

Apply for the job here.

Consultant - Women & Immigration Reform, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Short-Term Consultant - Women and Immigration Reform

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

DESCRIPTION

The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) 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 lasting, measurable change.  The Women’s Refugee Commission is legally part of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).


SCOPE OF WORK

This position is a short-term (5 month) consultancy from approximately May 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013 dependent on hours worked and final negotiation of deliverables.

Through its role as the lead coordinator for the women’s immigration reform policy table, the Migrant Rights and Justice program (MRJ) of WRC is playing a leadership role in the national effort to ensure that women and their families are not left out of immigration reform. In this capacity, MRJ is responsible for integrating the work of the women’s table into that of the larger Alliance for Citizenship policy table, coordinating the efforts of the women’s table to advance immigration legislation that addresses the needs of women, and linking the work of the policy table to the communications and organizing efforts being carried out by multiple partner campaigns and coalitions.  The Consultant will support the work of the women’s immigration reform policy table by providing expert policy analysis, drafting legislative language and supporting materials, informing the communications and field efforts, and engaging in public education across a wide range of priority issues.  The policy table’s priority issues include legalization, family unity, future flows, worker rights, protection, and health care/economic security.

The consultant will provide support on all aspects of the policy table and will work in consultation with the Senior Program Officer, Migrant Rights and Justice and Director, Migrant Rights and Justice.

The consultancy is based in Washington DC. Payment will be monthly upon completion of predetermined deliverables, and will be commensurate with experience.

Deliverables are as follows:

• June 1: Submission of a progress report detailing work carried out during the month of May
• July 1: Submission of a progress report detailing work carried out during the month of June
• August 1: Submission of a progress report detailing work carried out during the month of July
• September 1: Submission of a progress report detailing work carried out during the month of August
• October 1: Submission of final report detailing work carried out during the month of September and overall achievements related to the inclusion of women in immigration reform

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Work in coordination with the Senior Program Officer, Migrant Rights and Justice, to support and advance the policy priorities of the women’s policy table

• Participate in weekly and emergency policy table meetings and assist with the development and facilitation of agendas
• Track, disseminate, and help respond to legislative developments and rapid response requests from the Alliance for Citizenship policy table; assist in distributing rapid response requests to the women’s table and ensuring expedient and thorough follow-up from a women’s perspective
• Review and draft written analysis of proposed legislation for its effect on women and their families
• Draft legislative language, amendments, affirmative and defensive policy fact sheets, vote recommendations, statements of principles, and other written materials to support full inclusion of women in immigration reform
• Conduct educational meetings with Members of Congress to expand their understanding of the effects of immigration law, policies and practice on women and their families
• Help provide regular written and oral updates to communications and field campaigns to ensure their efforts are calibrated to policy development
• Other duties as assigned and agreed upon

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1628-short-term-consultant-women-and-immigration-reform

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the consultancy is filled. We are seeking to fill this consultancy immediately.

Intern - Disability Program, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Intern - Disability Program

Application deadline: May 12, 2013
Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission
DESCRIPTION

The Women's Refugee Commission is a research advocacy organization that seeks to improve the lives and protect the rights of women, children and youth displaced by conflict and crisis. We research their need, identify solutions and advocate for programs and policies to strengthen their resilience and drive change in humanitarian practice.

The Women's Refugee Commission is legally part of the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization. The Women's Refugee Commission receives no direct financial support from the IRC.

Position Summary

The Intern will support the Women's Refugee Commission Disability Program in two projects:

1. Promoting access and inclusion for displaced populations with disabilities which is piloting change in practice at field levels with UNHCR; analyzing, documenting and sharing lessons learnt; and advocating for change globally with humanitarian stakeholders.
2. Building capacity for disability inclusion in gender based violence programming in humanitarian settings which is building the evidence base on effective strategies for disability inclusion in GBV prevention and response.

Products and Activities (will include some or all of the following):

• Conduct desk based research and review of available literature on strategies and approaches for disability inclusion in GBV programming
• Contribute to a mapping of disability inclusion in GBV programming through:
  • Collation of available statistics
  • Review of project reports
  • Design and implementation of questionnaires and conducting interviews with humanitarian stakeholders
• Develop a database of organizations and actors to target for advocacy, communications and networking on disability inclusion in humanitarian action
• Attend meetings as a representative of the Women's Refugee Commission, taking notes and summarizing relevant information in written form
• Assist with administrative duties, including drafting letters, editing reports and other activities as required

Learning outcomes:

The Intern will be provided with the following opportunities for learning:

• Research
• Writing
• Soft skills of
  • Coordination and networking
  • Balancing priorities
  • Working within a team and across sectors

Requirements:

• Excellent research, knowledge management, analysis and writing skills, with interest in international development, human rights or other related fields.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities and/or in developing countries a plus.
• Excellent communication and computer skills.
• Comfortable taking initiative and working with minimal supervision. Team player.
• Recent or current graduate student in a relevant field.

Please note that this is an unpaid internship.
Intern must be available 20 hours per week. The internship runs from June – August 2013.
For more information on our work at the Women's Refugee Commission and our Disability Program please visit http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/
IRC leading the way from harm to home.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
IRC 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1631-intern-disability-program