Community Engagement Specialist – Erbil – (KRI/040)

Position               Community Engagement Specialist
Supervises           N/A
Shift                    Full-Time
Reporting to         Country Programme Coordinator
Reporting to         Country Programme Coordinator
Duty Station         Erbil (with regular travel to all field sites in Ninewa,                                           Salah Al Din and KRI)

 

All INTERSOS employees are expected to perform their roles and responsibilities according to the INTERSOS charter of values, code of ethics, PSEA and Child Protection policies. The job description is mandatory for all positions within INTERSOS and shall be signed by the employee within the first week
of employment.

 

Purpose/objective of the position:

The Community Engagement Specialist will provide support on the development and implementation of INTERSOS Iraq’s community engagement plan, in line with the organization’s global and mission strategy
to strengthen the community-based approach, enhance relevance, and consolidate efforts to be accountable and transparent. Working closely in the initial period with an expatriate Community Engagement Specialist, the national staff position will be instrumental in: rolling out capacity-building to
Iraq mission field staff on how to integrate community engagement into all their activities; promoting and facilitating community participation in needs assessments, project implementation and project monitoring; and enhancing accountability mechanisms. The successful candidate, gradually assuming
more direct responsibility from the expatriate position, will play a key role in guiding the strengthening of INTERSOS’ community engagement and accountability approach in Iraq.

 

Generic Duties:

 

• Under the supervision of the Country Programme Coordinator, work in close coordination with Technical Coordinators and Programme/Project manger to further develop and implement a strategy to enhance INTERSOS’ ability to engage with communities in a participatory and inclusive manner.
• Provide support (both in-person in the field and remotely) in building the capacity of the INTERSOS team in participatory approaches and community engagement including through training, mentoring and technical support, and development of guidelines and resources.
• Based on identified challenges and opportunities, provide valuable input on cultural dynamics and other local contextual factors relevant to community engagement, social cohesion and conflict sensitivity.

 

Specific Duties:

 

1. Consolidate materials and resources on community engagement and facilitate trainings for programme teams:

 

• Organie a toolbox for community engagement tools relevant to various steps of the project cycle and collaborate with MEAL, programme and sectoral technical staff on ways to maximize inclusive community and beneficiary participation into need assessments, project development, satisfaction surveys and other project monitoring and evaluation.
• Identify capacity gaps and leads the design and rolling out of complementary training on community engagement for INTERSOS field staff and community volunteers.
• Translate (into Arabic and preferably also Kurdish) community engagement materials for staff and volunteers.

2. Support Protection Team to conduct a Comprehensive Protection Context  Analysis:

 

• Support the development of tools for community-led protection risk analysis
• Train and assist field teams to conduct community mapping to identify to ensure inclusive and transparent documentation of all groups and community resources relevant to protection, but also to education, health and other needs.
• Contribute to developing a framework for assessing and strengthening capacities of community-based structures.

3. Strengthen approaches to social cohesion programming and conflict sensitivity:

 

• Review of training concepts and development of structured training and facilitation guidelines for community-led and social cohesion initiatives based
• Facilitate an updated participatory local conflict analyses from INTERSOS areas of intervention and develop locally adapted Do No Harm checklists
• Provide cultural and contextual expertise and other guidance on engaging with communities on sensitive issues such as Gender-Based Violence, and how to identify allies and existing resources within the community which INTERSOS could support in line with its protection goals on such topics.

 

4. Any other emerging needs pertaining to strengthening INTERSOS’ community engagement approach.

 

Person Specification:

 

Education and professional experience:

• BA degree in a relevant subject or an equivalent mixture of education and work experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of working experience directly relevant to community engagement, preferably with additional experience in MEAL, project management or other relevant area.
• Experience working with vulnerable community groups (IDPs, refugees, disabled, minorities, etc).
• Experience in peace-building or social cohesion programming.

 

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) :

 

• Demonstrated knowledge of community engagement principles and methods, and their practical application in the field.
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles and human rights and protection issues in the Iraqi context.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate communication and meaningful cooperation between INGOs and local partners (LNGOs, CSO, informal community groups).
• Good leadership skills and track record of working effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Group facilitation and capacity-building skills.
• Ability to strictly maintain confidentiality, respect for persons from all segments of society and walks of life, and a non-discriminatory attitude.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with the most vulnerable community members/groups.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Willingness to travel extensively to field sites within Iraq (Ninewa, Salah Al-Din, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and other sites if other required).

 

Languages:

 

• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• Kurdish and/or other local language skills would be an asset .

 

Other:

• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Travel Requirement:

 

• The position is primarily based in Erbil, and oversees the mission activities through field visits to all our locations in the missions in Sulaymanyah, Ninewa and Salah Al-Din.