Specialist\Specialist of the women's protection department on issues of awareness and community involvement in International rescue committee

JOB OVERVIEW

The WPE Community Awareness and Engagement Specialist is responsible for leading community-level initiatives to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) in the Ukrainian context. This role includes the development and implementation of activities to raise awareness, promote positive behavior change, and engage diverse community members in the prevention and response to GBV. The officer works closely with women and girls, local authorities, community leaders and service providers to create a safe, supportive and informed environment. This role also involves overseeing awareness campaigns to create a safe and informed environment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Planning and coordination of GBV prevention activities:

• Develop and monitor GBV prevention plans at the community level in coordination with the WPE team.
• Ensure that interventions are based on the needs and priorities of women and girls through regular consultations and participatory methods.
• Integrate the results of community assessments into strategies prevention.

2. GBV risk assessment and safety audits:

• Conduct security audits and GBV risk assessment exercises in targeted communities.
• Conduct regular participatory assessments to identify risks, service gaps and protection issues.
• Promote comprehensive and safe involvement of community members, especially women and girls, in the development and implementation of prevention activities.

3. Community Engagement Team Supervision:

• Supervise WPE Community Mobilization and Facilitation Specialists/WGSS Facilitation and Administration Specialists, ensuring quality and consistency of their work.
• Provide team coaching, field support and regular performance feedback.

4. Awareness campaigns and dissemination:

• Plan and implement awareness and awareness campaigns (e.g. 16 Days of Activism, International Women's Day).
• Ensure culturally appropriate and inclusive messaging adapted to the community context.
• Coordinate with communications teams and advocacy to strengthen prevention messaging and outreach.

5. Psychosocial support activities:

• Oversee the planning and delivery of structured psychosocial support (PSS) group activities for women and girls in safe and accessible public spaces.
• Ensure that PSS sessions are conducted using approved methodologies and in line with gender-based violence guidelines.
• Support staff in creating inclusive, non-judgmental spaces for emotional support, empowerment and healing.

6. Coordination and Representation:

• Build and maintain effective relationships with localand authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response to the prevention of gender-based violence.
• Represent the WPE program at local coordination meetings and community forums.
• Ensure that community voices, especially women and girls, are reflected in coordination efforts.

7. Reporting:

• Monitor implementation and impact of prevention and outreach activities using MEAL program tools.
• Ensure accurate documentation of activities, participant feedback and lessons learned.
• Contribute to donor and internal reporting with clear and timely updates on progress and challenges.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS 

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, or related humanities or social science.

Experience:

• Proven programming experience protection, particularly in working with women and girls or implementing measures to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV).
• Significant experience supervising field teams and implementing community engagement strategies.
• Clear understanding of GBV guidelines, risk reduction and victim-centred approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct security audits and participatory evaluations.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Strong organizational and documentation skills, proficiency in office software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Workspace).
• Experience with data collection platforms such as KoBoToolbox and CommCare highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability be respectful and empathetic to people of diverse backgrounds and vulnerabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team in a dynamic humanitarian context.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.
• Strong commitment to humanitarian values, including compliance with security policies, child protection policies and standards to prevent sexual exploitation and exposure (PSEA) communities

   

  WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

   

  • This role involves full-time office work or a possible hybrid type of work after a trial period
  • Candidates must have a home or alternative workplace from which they can effectively carry out their work during regular scheduled working hours.
  • Travel to other locations is required up to 30% of hoursasu
  • Exempt from overtime
  • Sometimes weekend work may be required
  • Working in a matrix organization
  • Fast-paced work, multi-tasking and busy work
  • Organization cares about staff and provides flexible work options (start early-end early, start later-end later, remote work)

  Employees are entitled to the following benefits:

  • Competitive wages
  • Targeted work and development opportunities
  • English classes and unlimited online training courses
  • Life insurance
  • Medical insurance for staff and family members
  • Free psychological support for employees and their family members
  • 30 calendar days of annual leave with flexibility beyond statutory minimum requirements
  • Up to 10 days of paid medical leave

   

  PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

   

  IRC creates diverse and inclusive teams of professionals that promote team engagement, inclusiveness and cohesion, critical thinking, separation of powers, debate and objectivity to provide the best service to our clients. 

  The International Rescue Committee is committed to protecting the people it serves, its staff and anyone associated with it from all forms of harm, abuse and violence, including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. It is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report wrongdoing. IRC employees must adhere to the core values ​​and principles set forth in the IRC Way Standards of Professional Conduct. These are Honesty, Service, Equality and Accountability. The IRC also administers and enforces a set of additional institutional policies to protect clients and staff from harm and abuse through the Adult and Child Protection Policy, Respect at Work and Freedom from Harassment Policy, Anti-Harassment Policy and Reporter Protection Policy, which are complemented by the IRC Global Reporting guidelines. These commitments are available in English and Ukrainian at this link: https://rescue.box.com/v/irc-safeguarding-policies.