Ukraine: Women Economic Justice (WEJ) Technical Advisor

Jan 14, 2024 | CARE Germany
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CARE INTERNATIONAL

CARE International (CI) is among the world’s largest international non-governmental humanitarian relief and development confederations. Drawing on more than 75 years of experience, through its 21 Members, as both a practitioner and thought leader, CI’s work reaches over 100 countries worldwide to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.

CARE’s vision is to seek a world of hope, inclusion, and social justice; where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. CARE focuses heavily on women and girls, and the areas of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the center of its work because CARE knows that it cannot overcome poverty and social injustice until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE recognizes that power relations between people and within systems and structures are unequal and that these are entrenched in its broader systems, structures, and institutions.

At the core of the CI Confederation is a globally distributed Secretariat, which provides coordination and support to its members in areas including governance, strategic planning, communications, membership development and accountability, advocacy, humanitarian response, and program development. In addition, the Secretariat represents the CI Confederation at the United Nations and the European Union, and with other external stakeholders.

CONTEXT IN UKRAINE

On 24th February 2022, the invasion of Ukraine marked a significant escalation to the conflict that started in 2014. It continues to profoundly impact the lives of people across the country at various levels. The front line is continuously shifting and there are areas under Russian military control, as well as cities under siege. Attacks on military installations and critical civilian infrastructures are conducted in the whole territory of Ukraine, often resulting in collateral civilian casualties. The conflict has caused the largest population movement in Europe since World War II, with over 5 million currently displaced within Ukraine and 6 million refugees across Europe. OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) had counted 17.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

At least one-third of the country’s energy infrastructure is damaged, leaving millions without heating and access to water. In October 2022, the Russian Federation claimed to have annexed four Ukrainian oblasts, further increasing the challenge of access to these areas. Therefore, an ongoing priority for the international humanitarian response is to reach newly accessible areas in the East and South, and to provide aid to previously unreachable and particularly hard-hit areas of Ukraine.

CARE UKRAINE

CARE prioritizes a locally led response and is partnering primarily with Civil-Society Organizations (CSOs), National NGOs (Non-Government Organization), local authorities, and when needed, INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations) with a longstanding presence in the country and access to hard-to-reach areas. CARE Ukraine deliberately and strategically prioritizes partnerships with local and national Women Led and Women Rights organizations (WLO’s/ WRO’s), further strengthening the Gender in Emergencies (GiE) principle and the Women Lead in Emergencies (WLiE) approach.

In the first few weeks after the escalation of the war, virtually all humanitarian aid inside Ukraine was organized and implemented by local actors. These groups (together with local authorities) remain the principal aid providers but are quickly being exhausted of funds, fuel, and physical energy. Thereby, a considerable proportion of CARE’s resources is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the capacities of local partners.

As of October 2023, CARE Ukraine has established partnerships with over twenty local/national organizations (incl. WLO’s/WRO’s). From the more than 45 million that have been raised for Ukraine thus far, more than half is allocated to local/national partners. Through the activities that have been implemented so far, CARE Ukraine has been able to reach more than 800,000 people, including IDPs and affected populations in hard-to-reach areas.

While CARE Ukraine’s country office is currently located in Lviv, it also have a coordination office in Kyiv as well as area offices in Dnipro and Odesa, covering both the East and South of the country.

 

Position Summary:

The post holder will work with colleagues across CARE Ukraine to scale up the number of women CARE is directly and indirectly empowering economically. The main objective of this role is to launch and grow a portfolio of work which delivers impact at scale towards CARE Ukraine’s Women’s Economic Justice Strategic Objective .

The WEJ Technical Advisor for CARE Ukraine is responsible for ensuring high quality technical assistance to the country programs. The WEJ Technical Advisor will promote and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to achieve high quality, high impact interventions that are informed by evidence and best practice, contextually appropriate, driven by women and partner voices, and widely inclusive.

The ideal candidate will possess expert knowledge of the relationships between economic trends, household economic security, women’s rights and access to services and socio-economic resilience in different national contexts. This knowledge should include current research, and international trends.

The WEJ Technical Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Technical Unit and in close collaboration with the Program Development Manager, Women Lead in Emergency (WLiE) Advisor and the Gender, Equity, and Inclusion Senior Technical Advisor. The WEJ Technical Advisor will be the prime focal point with the FSL national Cluster.

The main deliverable of the WEJ TA within the first three months of the assignment is to provide technical support to CARE Ukraine women and economic justice programme, by drafting a 2-years strategy and enhancing the programme design. Working in close coordination with the relevant team members, the WEJ Technical Advisor is expected to prepare to do the following within months 1-3:

1. Prepare a desk review on WEE in Ukraine:
This consolidates and summarizes information on:

  • Evaluations, successful project models, and best practices for WEJ projects in Ukraine.
  • Recent polices and limitation for diverse and ethnic groups and of women in Ukraine (e.g. Ukrainians, Roman, migrant workers)
  • Economic opportunities for women (e.g. Ukrainians, Roman, migrant workers) in potential strategic economic sectors, including and not limited to ICT (Information and communications technology), social care (elderly, children, nursing), environment, agriculture in Ukraine
  • Gender-responsive economic and labor policy initiatives and reform needs in Ukraine

*This may include interviews with experts on WEJ in Ukraine

2. Support in strategy development: This includes:

  • Using evidence generated in the desk review to support strategic thinking on WEJ in Ukraine;
  • Drawing on expertise, to substantively contribute to strategic thinking for the program with the PDQ unit.

3. Draft the 2-year WEJ program strategy, and program design:
This includes:

  • Revised WEJ objectives, with separate approaches and change pathways for WEJ based on women’s nationality (citizens, refugees, migrants)
  • Selected WEJ project models, with evidence and justification;
  • Selected strategic WEJ sectors, with evidence and justification;
  • Logical framework with outputs, activities, and indicators.

4. Contribute to CARE nationalization strategy:

This includes

  • Recruiting a national WEJ Coordinator and developing the relevant learning and capacity development plan to take over the role of WEJ TA in 1-year time frame

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analyze economic trends and institutions and conduct research:

  • Analyze and understand the relationships between economic trends, household economic security, women’s rights and access to services and socio-economic resilience in Ukrainian context;
  • Analyze economic institutions and policies with a focus on job creation, employment of high-skill and low-skill women workers and access to credit and markets to identify the most relevant opportunities and challenges for women;
  • Provide policy recommendations, strategic advice and proposed courses of action to the Senior Management Team.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of economic events and integrate information and analysis in support of legislation development, analysis, outreach and advocacy;
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of economic events and integrate information and analysis in support of strategy development, analysis, outreach and advocacy;
  • Prepare analytical reports, research papers, briefing notes, background papers, summaries, correspondence and talking points;
  • Propose plan of action for immediate and long- range actions on women's economic empowerment in the country;
  • Work closely with CARE WEJ advisors in the region and at HQ to identify promising practices, technical expertise, and strategic opportunities for enhancing gender equality and women's economic empowerment

Program strategy, development and technical support

  • Provide technical leadership and strategic direction to the team in the development of proposals and program planning.
  • Support the overall development and implementation of CARE Ukraine economic empowerment portfolio;
  • Assist the country office in developing and strengthening policies to increase women's access to decent work, social protection and economic empowerment;
  • Work closely with field program teams and provide program guidance and support to develop and implement program at the local and national level to enhance women's economic justice;
  • Promote coordination and participation in joint activities with various stakeholders such as UN agencies, women's national machineries, civil society, inter-governmental organizations and regional women's networks, so as to work collaboratively in pursuit of the shared goal of increasing women's economic justice.
  • Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, national partners and development partners:
  • Support the building of strategic alliances and partnerships for women’s economic justice related strategies and initiatives;
  • Support the country office in mobilizing resources for the implementation of women's economic initiatives;
  • Promote adherence to standards and best practices taking into account the need for local adaptation.
  • Coordinate external technical assistance and draw on the resources of program support in new program development exercises
  • Serve as the focal point for donor liaison, in technical area of WEJ, in close collaboration with Head of Technical Unit.
  • Promote integration of CARE’s Women Lead in Emergencies (WLIE) approach in WEJ programming where applicable.
  • Provide strategic and technical guidance on integrated programming with SRG, CVA, livelihood and Women Voice and Leadership.
  • Establish and use ethical and statistically data collecting and sectoral-related information management systems
  • Contribute to the preparation of timely program and donor reports on project activities in compliance with internal CARE requirements and any relevant external donor requirements.

Capacity building

  • Develop and deliver WEJ capacity building strategy for CARE and partners
  • Identify learning needs and opportunities for project staff and work as a mentor and role model for CARE and partner staff
  • Ensure continual capacity building and mentoring processes are in place to support partner staff in gaining key skills and experience required for WEJ programming.
  • Develop, update and contextualize tools, guidelines and supporting documents to provide technical support to CARE and partners
  • Promote harmonization of the standards, approaches among the implementing partners
  • Coordinate the dissemination of key technical material and organize training with a special focus on standards and best practice.

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Maintain an effective monitoring and planning system in collaboration with the MEAL Manager, which informs reporting and project design.
  • Work with the MEAL team to identify and document projects’ learning and success cases and disseminate learning on the humanitarian response.
  • Ensure that the monitoring framework within the WEJ programme is implemented, including baseline data, secondary data, reviews, end line surveys, donor reporting and internal/external evaluations and capitalization of activities.
  • Ensure respect for data protection and confidentiality in data collection and storage.
  • Contribute in the preparation to all the necessary reports such as progress reports, annual reports, and Interim and final reports for donors.
  • Oversee the production of WEJ-related research papers including advising on research design and methodology in collaboration with the MEAL team, recruiting required expertise where necessary.
  • Conduct monitoring visits to project locations, develop field reports and follow up on critical issues in a timely manner.

Representation/Advocacy & Organisational Learning

  • Ensure that CARE’s work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and support Interagency coordination forums, advocating for the specific needs of beneficiaries. This may involve supporting coordination working groups.
  • Participate proactively and contribute in the FSL cluster and technical working groups meetings.
  • Share information on CARE’s activities and interventions and promote good relations and collaboration with other actors working on the humanitarian response.
  • With support from the Head of Technical Unit and other senior program staff, assist in advocacy activities that target decision-makers in-country.
  • Contribute to communications and media work as required

General

  • Deliver high quality results in line with the terms of reference agreed in advance and to do this in a way which maintains the reputation of CARE.
  • Comply with CARE policies and practice with respect to PSEA, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to the responsibility of the security of all staff. Ensure the security, health and wellbeing of staff and contribute to staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect CARE 's principles of equity and fairness.

Additional job responsibilities

  • The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties assigned by line manager

CRITERIA:

  • University degree in International Affairs, Humanitarian Studies, Economics, Economic Development and/or with strong knowledge of gender issues, or related discipline.
  • Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in the field of promoting gender equality, poverty reduction and economic empowerment/justice.
  • Experience in developing and supporting program strategies and program design for WEJ interventions.
  • Experience in livelihoods in the humanitarian response.
  • Experience conducting research and analysis in the area of gender equality and women’s economic justice with relevant national and at least one other related theme: sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, poverty, livelihoods, social protection, unpaid care work and time use, access to credit and finance, employment, trade, gender responsive budgeting.
  • Minimum 8 years of experience in managing humanitarian programme with international NGOs in complex and conflict-affected contexts
  • A minimum of 5 years’ prior experience working in humanitarian emergency, conflict, post-conflict, or post-disaster settings
  • Strong and recent knowledge of Ukraine humanitarian context
  • Experience developing project proposals and logframes.
  • Proficiency in English. Ukrainian and/or relevant regional language would be an asset
  • Proven experience in humanitarian advocacy and networking with duty bearers (negotiation and influence skills)
  • Experience of training and capacity building.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation, and coaching.
  • Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind sets.
  • The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
  • Commitment to the aims and principles of CARE.
  • Experience of representation and ability to represent CARE effectively in external forums.
  • Knowledge of institutional donors and experience of developing proposals.
  • Ability to write clear and well-argued assessments and project reports.
  • Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
  • Computer skills (including Excel and Word)
  • Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills
  • Good organizational skills
  • Capacity to work under a high level of stress
  • Adaptation capacities to dynamic context
  • Trustworthiness and sense of responsibility

Accountability:

A commitment to CARE values and CARE’s integrity framework is critical to working with CARE. Any candidate offered a job with CARE will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

  • Comply with CARE’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
  • Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within its programming area.
  • Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a CARE staff or partner.

Safeguarding:

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with CARE as a result of CARE activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm. One of the ways that CARE shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Gender equality:

CARE is committed to meeting the standards of the CARE International Gender Policy (2019). Through this policy, CARE seeks to promote the equal realization of dignity and human rights for girls, women, boys and men in all diversities, and the elimination of poverty and injustice. Specifically, this policy seeks to improve the explicit incorporation of gender in programmatic and organizational practices.

How to apply

CARE values equal opportunities and diversity. CARE does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Please send CV (in pdf format max. 4 pages) and a cover letter in English to <applications_ukraine@care.de>, no later than 17th of January 2024. Please applicant name documents Surname_CV, Surname_Cover Letter. Put WEJ Technical Advisor as the subject title of the email.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Location: Kyiv or Dnipro (with frequent travels to field sites)

Reporting line manager: Head of Technical Unit

Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension

Conditions: Employment contract, gross monthly salary starting from €5,000, Risks allowance of €400-500/month (medium-high risks areas), medical insurance and repatriation insurance and accommodation provided. Visa fees covered. Contribution to the luggage transportation up to €250. R&R (5 working days plus 2 travel days) every 8-12 weeks with an allowance of €1,000. Annual leave of 28 days.

Starting date: As Soon As Possible