ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFEGUARDING OFFICER - HIGHLANDS RESILIENCE ACTIVITY

Job Description

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.

Program / Department Summary Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) will contribute to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that started during October 2023.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Supervised by the Area Office HRA MEL Specialist, the Accountability and Safeguarding officer will lead Accountability and Safeguarding implementation within the HRA program, dividing his/her time between the continued establishment, maintenance, management, and adaptation of CARM and safeguarding implementation in the HRA program. While working with the program team, particularly with HRA Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor. The Accountability and Safeguarding officer will conduct an assessment of community preferred channels, feedback channel establishment, feedback collection and closing and monitoring of the effectiveness of the feedback channels. compliance and monitoring (internal audit nature) of donor rules as well as MC’s internal policies and procedures. Having a robust community feedback and complaints mechanism (CARM)  is an essential part of Mercy Corps’ commitment to program quality, integrity, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, by providing individuals, organizations, local groups, and other stakeholders a safe and confidential way of raising questions, ideas, suggestions and complaints with Mercy Corps, and to receive a response.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Accountability (60% of Time)
2. Safeguarding (40% of Time)

Accountability (60% of time)

• Facilitate the establishment of program work plans for the rollout of CARM, including processes, procedures, forms, and budgetary guidance.
• Together with program teams, conduct CARM assessments.
• Develop processes to ensure integration of feedback and evidence-based learning into program implementation.
• Work with the program team to establish feedback collection channels.
• Work with program teams to establish internal and external referral mechanisms.
• Design and disseminate communication material that promotes the use of feedback mechanisms (e.g. distribution signs, community signs and banners, etc.)
• Collect, record and respond to feedback from the community using the established CARM feedback channels.
• Establish and follow up appropriate feedback is efficiently directed through the correct channels.
• Identify, and follow-up on feedback which are serious and sensitive, including engaging management as necessary to respond appropriately.
• Conduct field visits, spot checks, training, and follow-up on specific feedback cases.
• Support program team to encourage community participation during program implementation.
• Track in detail and via written reports, meeting minutes, and action points the status of high- level, CARM cases.
• Conduct orientation CARM sessions for program team, community and other stakeholders
• Train staff on receiving complaints and feedback and on community sensitization, particularly on informing communities and handling feedback on sensitive subjects of potential staff misconduct.
• Conduct training on different CARM channels to staff, community and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other actors to develop referral maps and mechanisms for communities in the program implementation area.

Safeguarding (40% of time)

• Champion safeguarding policies and accompanying policy guidance support materials and assist in promoting prevention of sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) within the HRA program in Area program office.
• Work with individuals and teams within the program to help ensure the HRA program and operation are integrating Safeguarding measures area offices.
• In partnership with relevant teams, identify, map and regularly update local support services available to survivors.
• Support the Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor to conduct safeguarding risk assessment for HRA program in the project area.
• Collaborate with MEL specialists to review partners’ SG self-assessments and develop tailored action plans to enhance capacity and systems.
• Act as a resource to HRA program area program management as they work to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations under Mercy Corps’ and donor’s Safeguarding policies and response mechanisms.
• Help build trust and confidence in HRA program’ reporting, investigation and follow up systems and foster a climate where team members feel confident and comfortable coming forward with issues
• Conduct safeguarding awareness sessions to HRA area office program teams, partners and other stakeholders.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

 Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:  None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:  MEL Specialist

 WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:   With the HRA team in the Area Office and mainly with the MEL specialist at area office and Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor.

Job Requirement

• BA/BSc or equivalent, preferable in social sciences including sociology, law, business administration, economics or international development.
• At least 3 years of related work experience, preferably with an international or local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with previous experience on similar posts.
• Experience and/or training in handling sensitive information - Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) training is an advantage, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Protection knowledge and capacities.
• Experience working in high-risk contexts preferred.
• Proven commitment to humanitarian and development principles and a demonstrable understanding of conflict contexts and remote work.
• Proven experience in data collection, data-entry, data/information management and analysis.
• At least 2 years of experience in maintaining feedback mechanisms.
• Proven experience in developing or contributing to accountability framework or standard operating procedures for feedback mechanisms.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced emergency response environment and adapt to the rapidly evolving context as necessary
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, communication and networking skills; and the ability to work with diversified populations.
• High level of self-awareness and self-development with the maturity to deal with constructive feedback
• Excellent Computer skills: proficiency in MS Office package, and some knowledge of database management would be an asset

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Accountability and Safeguarding officer will possess an exemplary professional standard of ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures and external regulations. They will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders on sensitive and confidential matters. They will have the ability to navigate difficult circumstances with a calm demeanor, in an analytical and methodical manner.  They will demonstrate the ability to multitask, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities if necessary.  They will possess a broad understanding of humanitarian and   development including Market System programs coupled with the ability to analyze operational data and clearly present conclusions and recommendations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Mekele, Ethiopia and it requires 50% travel to support HRA program implementation in the Area office, which may include travel to insecure locations.

 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. 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.