GESI & Safeguarding Officer Verified listing

Essential Responsibilities

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Support

• Lead or support Gender Equality and Social Inclusion assessments, analyses, and periodic reviews to identify barriers to equitable access, participation, decision-making, and benefits among program participants, and provide recommendations for program adaptation.
• Support the implementation, monitoring, and periodic review of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Action Plans, ensuring agreed actions are integrated into annual workplans, implementation plans, and reporting processes.
• Support the collection, analysis, and use of sex-, age-, disability-, and diversity-disaggregated data (SADDD), and promote the integration of gender equality and social inclusion indicators within monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems.
• Monitor progress toward gender equality and inclusion outcomes and provide technical recommendations to strengthen program effectiveness and accountability.
• Promote equitable participation and access to services for women, girls, persons with disabilities, youth, transgender persons, and other marginalized populations throughout the project cycle.
• Provide technical guidance to Mercy Corps and partner staff on gender-responsive and socially inclusive programming approaches, including gender-responsive service delivery and community engagement.
• Strengthen integration of gender equality, social inclusion, and GBV risk mitigation considerations across program activities and operational processes.
• Develop and facilitate capacity strengthening initiatives for staff, partners, and stakeholders on gender equality, social inclusion, GBV risk mitigation, and inclusive programming approaches.
• Advise program and HR teams on gender-responsive recruitment, retention, leadership development, and workforce diversity strategies to strengthen representation and inclusion.
• Document, share, and promote good practices, lessons learned, and evidence related to gender equality and social inclusion across programs and partners.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical leadership in mainstreaming safeguarding prevention initiatives across programmatic and operational functions as guided by the Safeguarding Core Standards
• Pro-actively support program teams and staff in conducting safeguarding risk assessments, identifying program risks, and implementing practical and contextually appropriate mitigation measures.
• Provide safeguarding orientation and training to Mercy Corps team members, partners, suppliers and other relevant stakeholders across all offices
• Build a community of practice for safeguarding focal points and champions to support the integration and implementation of safeguarding initiatives in Mercy Corps Pakistan
• In coordination with CARM and program teams work to ensure communities and program participants understand their rights and reporting options and build trust around response systems and survivor support.
• Develop guidance and tools to support partners in the development and/or strengthening of safeguarding mechanisms aligned with sector best practice standards
• Act as a reporting avenue for Safeguarding related issues, concerns or experiences and ensure next steps occur in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• In coordination with local PSEA networks identify, map, and annually update the country survivor service map to serve as a directory for support services available to survivors
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.Encourages openness and communication across the country office and raises awareness on reporting hotlines, confidentiality and the Speak out! Policy Act as a resource to the program participants and help to improve processes and procedures to ensure their safety & security and well-being with a survivor-centered approach.
• When requested, supporting investigations by providing survivor-centered approach

 Coordination and Organizational Compliance

• Support implementation and institutionalization of Mercy Corps' GESI and Safeguarding standards and related organizational policies, standards, and minimum requirements.
• Coordinate with regional and global GESI, Safeguarding and CARM team members to ensure alignment and seek support when needed
• Provide technical support to programs and partners to meet donor, organizational, and regulatory requirements related to gender equality, safeguarding, protection, and inclusion.
• Monitor partner compliance with safeguarding and GESI minimum standards, support capacity strengthening efforts, and track implementation of improvement plans.
• Facilitate internal coordination among program, operations, HR, ethics, accountability, and safeguarding focal points to ensure integrated approaches and consistent implementation.
• Contribute to organizational assessments, audits, reviews, and reporting processes related to gender equality, safeguarding, and inclusion.
• Support representation and engagement in relevant external coordination platforms, technical working groups, clusters, and networks related to gender equality, safeguarding, protection, and inclusion.
• Coordinate with regional and global communities of practice to share lessons learned, innovations, challenges, and emerging good practices.

• Master’s degree in Gender Studies or relevant field in social sector.
• 5-8 years of experience of working in gender and safeguarding programs with national or international NGOs.
• Experience in mainstreaming safeguarding and GESI across programs and operations
• Able to confidently work alongside and collaborate with senior leadership
• Specific experience implementing safeguarding efforts in N/INGOs will be a plus.
• Track record of maintaining liaison with governmental and non-governmental partners.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Urdu. Knowledge of regional languages will be a plus.