LACA Regional Support Coordinator for PMER and Safeguarding Mechanisms

• HN
• Full-time
• Published: 2024-04-22 17:47:09Z

Job Synopsis

 The person in this position will serve as a resource and support for MCC programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (LACA) in the areas of PMER and Safeguarding, provide training, mentoring and capacity building for MCC LACA staff and partners. This includes strengthening on-going PMER tasks and program safeguarding mechanisms, as well as critical PMER-related support during times of orientation, transitions or emergencies.

Job Details

This is a full-time, Service Worker position with a set term length. Service Workers are MCC personnel who are financially supported through a monthly stipend, coverage of living expense and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

• Minimum Education Level: BA or equivalent in a relevant field, including International Development, Social Studies, etc.
• Minimum Experience: 3 years International Experience in PMER or Safeguarding/gender-based violence programs, preferably with local organizations in Latin America-Caribbean
• Fluent in both verbal and written English and Spanish communication skills, including the ability to translate documents and interpret between these two languages
• Language skills in Creole or French  is a definite plus, or willingness to learn
• Strong research and data analysis skills
• Able to summarize complex information clearly in written form
• Proficient using MS Excel, Word. Ability to learn how to use databases
• Demonstrated understanding and experience with project design, monitoring and evaluation
• Knowledge of and willingness to learn about safeguarding and reporting mechanisms
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Organization skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexible, willing to learn and able to receive feedback
• Ability to travel in adverse circumstances, including on foot if required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in inter-cultural situations, including across different languages, customs, values, ethnicities and religious beliefs
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple issues and tasks
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, able to lead presentations and workshops.
• Experience in coaching others or in change management.

​Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).

Key Responsibilties

• In close coordination with MCC LACA Reps and PMER staff, support partners in LACA region with developing and measuring project indicators, developing safeguarding and reporting mechanisms as well as other key components of project design. When involved in this kind of concept paper and project development, the facilitator will likely accompany key conversations between PLDR Coordinators and the specific MCC program, to help explain contextual issues and design considerations.
• Consolidate and analyze regional information about project plans to understand trends, promote learning, and inform program decision making, within the MCC global and regional strategic plans  
• Provide additional support for situation assessment and project design during situations of sudden emergencies
• Support project evaluations with partners as needed
• Provide training and mentoring for MCC LACA staff and partners related to PMER and Safeguarding/Reporting mechanisms, as needs are identified. Share learning across the region from the strengths of diverse partners.
• Support Area Directors and Reps in verifying that the PMER database (INSIGHT) is up to date/complete. Help identify strategies for filling in gaps.
• Participate in MCC committees and working groups as assigned.
• Provide temporary coverage for absent PMER staff.
• Contribute to regional reporting and research efforts as needed

Challenges

Extreme Heat;Security issues;Occasional overnights;Occasional long days;Large geographical scope;Externally funded program;Diverse group of stakeholders;Occasional evening and weekend work;Local church not supportive to LGTBQ* persons

Start Date

24 Jun, 2024 - Yes

Term Length

3 years

Salary Details

. Compensation for international roles is calculated based on prior experience and anticipated living expenses of the household in the location of service.

Benefits

MCC cover all basic needs; Travel expenses to and from assignment, local transportation related to assignment, food & household allowance, housing, personal Allowance, vacation allowance, Education for children, Retirement Plan, Life Insurance and Death Benefits, Student Loan reimbursement, and Resettlement Allowance.

Additional Information

Mennonite Central Committee has worked with local partners in Latin America and the Caribbean since the 1930s, with a variety of priorities and different kinds of partnerships across the decades. Currently, MCC supports partners in 11 countries, and has offices and/or personnel in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. There is a strong commitment in the region to support local grassroots organizations, including church-based programs, and specifically Anabaptist church-related projects and initiatives. At the same time, the partners come from very diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, political, academic and theological backgrounds. Programmatically, MCC prioritizes partner projects focused on migration, food security/climate change, peacebuilding/gender-based violence and natural disaster response.
In the last 15 years, MCC globally has worked hard at developing structured Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting mechanisms and formats, as well as a database, that is both helpful for partners to reflect on their work, as well as for gathering information useful for strategic planning, communications and donor relations. Each MCC office has staff specifically dedicated to PMER work with partners. In the last couple of years, MCC has also specifically worked at strengthening mechanisms for safe programming – programs and projects where participants are safe from abuse and exploitation of any kind, and where there are clear reporting channels and responses for when abuses of power occur.
This regional position is focused on strengthening PMER and safeguarding work in all the programs, working very closely with the two Area Director units, the six Rep-units, PMER staff in LACA programs. and partners. MCC LACA has two other regional workers focused on Context Analysis-Advocacy-Communications and on Human Resources (including worker care, trauma response and case management for safeguarding cases) and this position would also coordinate with the regional staff where roles overlap.
On a global level, MCC has a Planning, Learning and Disaster Response (PLDR) department with coordinators focused on thematic good practices, technical support, evaluations and learning, project review and approval from the perspective of different lenses (e.g. gender, power, environmental impact, safeguarding, among others). The facilitator will also coordinate closely with PLDR to help ensure strong PMER practices in LACA, aligned with MCC’s global program policies and procedures, to complement and reinforce global PMER training and resourcing efforts, and to share program learnings about PMER from LACA with the broader MCC system.
MCC also has a global Safeguarding Standing Committee that leads MCC’s safeguarding efforts. The facilitator will participate in the Safeguarding Standing Committee partnership and program sub-group.  Additionally, the facilitator will work with the PLDR safeguarding coordinator to help ensure continual improvement in LACA programmatic safeguarding measures, aligned with MCC’s global safeguarding policies and procedures, to guarantee ensure that LACA-specific safeguarding resourcing and training efforts are coordinated with and complement global efforts, and to share LACA learnings about safeguarding with the broader MCC system.
This role will be supervised directly by one of the Area Directors but would work in close coordination with Area Directors and Reps as mentioned above. As a central location in close proximity to the supervising Area Director, ideally this MCC worker would live in Honduras, although some other locations in Latin America-Caribbean where MCC has offices could be considered.
 

Location Description

As a central location in close proximity to the supervising Area Director, ideally this MCC worker would live in Honduras, although some other locations in Latin America-Caribbean where MCC has offices could be considered.

Honduras is the second largest country in Central America with a population of more than 8 million inhabitants. Honduras is a mountainous country with many micro-climates. Temperatures are hot with high humidity on the Atlantic coast and in the Sula Valley, where San Pedro Sula is located.
There are two main seasons in Honduras: the rainy season which extends from May to November or December and the dry season which lasts from January to April.
The CPC will be in San Pedro Sula, the industrial capital and second largest city in Honduras. San Pedro offers a wealth of modern conveniences including quality health care and schooling options, cultural events, international restaurants, museums, parks and imported goods. There are a few open markets and many local restaurants. Wealthy neighborhoods and shopping malls stand in stark contrast to marginalized communities and areas with limited infrastructure. Violence, traffic, and air pollution are common problems. SUVs and horse drawn carts share the road with small sedans, pick-up trucks, public buses, taxis and tractor trailers.
The Area Directors are based in San Pedro Sula and provide some support for workers who are close by.

Challenges:
· San Pedro Sula has a reputation of high levels of crime and gang activity, MCC workers must abide by the advice and guidance of local partners and churches in determining safety and travel precautions and be vigilant to avoid potentially volatile situations.
· The Mennonite Church has been very welcoming to previous MCC workers. It may be a challenge for the PMER or Safeguarding to adjust to a different pace of worship and church life.
· The numerous responsibilities of the PMER or Safeguarding position, including accompanying MCC programs and partners in LACA. The person filling this position will need to be intentional about setting boundaries between work and personal time and developing personal routines that nurture mental, emotional, and physical health.