Women Protection and Empowerment Senior Capacity Strengthening and Program Development Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the WPE Coordinator, the WPE Senior Capacity Strengthening and Program Development Officer is responsible for leading capacity development initiatives and supporting strategic program development for IRC and WPE implementing partners in Ukraine. This role ensures the contextualization and integration of IRC's global tools, standards, and approaches into national programming, while building the technical capacity of WPE teams and partners to deliver high-quality, survivor-centered GBV interventions. The Officer will also provide technical coordination for program planning, contextual tool adaptation, data analysis, and systematic reporting—serving as a key contributor to the quality, relevance, and sustainability of WPE programming in Ukraine.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Capacity Strengthening of IRC Staff and Partners
   
   Conduct regular assessments of capacity-building needs for IRC WPE teams and implementing partners, in close collaboration with regional WPE Managers.
   
   Develop, update, and oversee the implementation of tailored capacity strengthening plans for IRC staff and partners based on identified gaps in knowledge, skills, and program quality standards.
   
   Review and analyse internal requests for training and technical support, coordinate appropriate learning initiatives, and track implementation progress.
   
   Design and facilitate training sessions, mentoring, and technical coaching on topics including GBV response and prevention, safe communication, program planning, monitoring, and reporting.
   
   Monitor the effectiveness of training efforts, collect feedback, and introduce improvements to enhance the practical application of skills in day-to-day work.
2. Partner Capacity Development and Project Cycle Support
   
   Provide comprehensive technical support to partner organizations across the entire project cycle, including:
   
   Guidance on the development of quality project proposals, logical frameworks, and activity plans;
   
   Support in preparing programmatic reports;
   
   Assistance in designing and implementing partner-specific capacity building plans;
   
   Organization and facilitation of targeted trainings, workshops, and mentoring sessions;
   
   Coordination and participation in joint monitoring visits, technical review meetings, and follow-up actions to ensure quality programming.
   
   Maintain strong coordination with regional WPE Managers to align capacity strengthening and partner support with field-level program implementation and monitoring needs.
3. Adaptation of Global Tools and Approaches to the Ukrainian Context
   
   Contextualize IRC's global standards, methodologies, technical packages and program implementation guidance to fit the Ukrainian humanitarian environment.
   
   Ensure that adapted tools are effectively rolled out and understood by both IRC and partner teams through capacity-building efforts and supportive documentation.
   
   Maintain regular communication with IRC technical advisors to ensure alignment between localized tools and global quality standards.
4. Reporting
   
   Support the collection, systematization, and analysis of data and qualitative inputs related to GBV risks, changes in humanitarian context, access barriers, stories of change, and program results.
   
   Contribute to the drafting of technical sections of donor reports, synthesize inputs from partners, and coordinate timely submissions to relevant stakeholders.
   
   Strengthen internal knowledge sharing by facilitating after-action reviews, documenting lessons learned, and developing internal resources (guides, templates, briefs).
5. Coordination, Representation, and Cross-Sector Collaboration
   
   Ensure ongoing coordination with regional WPE Managers and IRC technical teams to maintain alignment between capacity building efforts and broader program implementation goals.
   
   Represent WPE in relevant internal and external coordination platforms related to capacity building, program quality, and partnerships, as delegated by the WPE Coordinator.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Master's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, pedagogy or a related humanitarian or social science field.

Experience:

At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian or development programming, with a focus on gender-based violence (GBV), protection, or women's empowerment. Previous experience in capacity strengthening, program design, or partnership support is essential.

Proven experience in working with local NGOs or civil society partners, including developing training materials, facilitating capacity building activities, supporting project proposal development, and coordinating joint implementation or monitoring.

Demonstrated ability to contextualize global tools and standards, lead technical training, and provide mentorship and guidance to diverse teams in a complex and evolving humanitarian context.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

Strong organizational and documentation skills, with proficiency in office software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Workspace).

Experience in working with data collection platforms such as KoBoToolbox and CommCare is highly desirable.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work respectfully and empathetically with individuals from diverse backgrounds and vulnerabilities.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team in a dynamic humanitarian context.

Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.

Strong commitment to humanitarian values, including adherence to safeguarding policies, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards.

REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAM COLLABORATION

Position reports to: WPE Coordinator

Internal collaborations within IRC: Sn WPE Manager

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

These are some examples of other relevant information to include, but is not an exhaustive list. Include the points that are relevant for your position or add more.

This role requires full-time work in the office or hybrid type of working is possible after probation period

Applicants must have a home or alternate workspace they can effectively complete their work from during regularly scheduled work hours.

Travel to other locations is needed up to 30% of time

Exempt from overtime

Sometimes work on weekends may be required

Work in the matrix organization

Fast pace of working, multitasking and stressful work

The organization cares about staff and provides flexible working options (start early-finish early, start later-finish later, remote work)

Staff can ask for accommodation of a workplace. Specific requests can be discussed with HR.

IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:

Competitive salary

Purposeful job and development opportunities

English classes and unlimited online training courses

Life Insurance

Medical insurance for staff and family members

Free psychological support to employees and their family members

30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements

Up to 10 days of paid medical leave

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.