Social and Community Engagement Officer - SUIDAC

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview

Background and Objectives of the SUIDAC 

The increase in displacement of people and migration has put considerable pressure on cities, cities in developing countries that are already struggling to meet the needs of their populations. The situation is especially acute in the Horn of Africa, which hosts approximately one fifth of the world’s refugees and 30 percent of all displaced people worldwide. Demographic, economic, political, and environmental pressures all intersect in the Horn of Africa, driving popular unrest and resource competition. These pressures also destabilize migration patterns, which exacerbates tensions within and between states. 

Hence, the EU is planning to fund an Action “Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement Affected Communities”, which will focus on governance, citizenship, environment, economic realities, and services that lie at the nexus between forced displacement and urban development. The Action will target Assossa and Jigjiga, Ethiopia, among other countries. The target beneficiaries of the Action are Displacement-Affected Communities (DACs) and their hosting cities. This Action defines DACs as both the forcibly displaced populations (refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees) and host communities. The Action’s approach intends to avoid setting up of parallel systems for assistance to urban DACs, and instead strengthen existing national and regional policy and regulatory frameworks where those exist.

Scope of Work

The Social and community Engagement Officer will be responsible for facilitating the communication and networking between Assosa University (research firm) and the stakeholders for the feasibility study. Based at Assosa, the Social and Community Engagement Officer will provide support to the Senior SUIDAC Governance Manager, being responsible for the day today routine engagement with the research team, stakeholders including the beneficiaries. 

Job Overview: 

The position will be recruited for the Analytical and Diagnostic Phase of the action based on funding availability/selection. This position will be technically supervised by the Senior Governance Manager – SUIDAC and administratively by Assosa Filed Office Coordinator. The incumbent will support the Senior Governance Manager and research firm to ensure successful accomplishment of the Diagnostic and Feasibility Phase through genuine community engagement. The incumbent will get resource support directly from Assosa field Office.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Provide support to the research firm in diagnostic and feasibility study for the SUIDAC action in Assosa town and its peripheries.to be conducted by Assosa University in Assosa town.

• Work with Assosa Field Coordinator to ensure smooth partnership and engagement of key stakeholders, mainly the community, in the diagnostic and feasibility study process to be conducted by Assosa University (research firm) in Assosa town

• Communicate and negotiate with key partners at regional and local level to ensure successful accomplishment of the diagnostic and feasibility study.

• Support the Manager in the establishment of a steering committee for the SUIDAC in collaboration with Cities Alliance.

• Facilitate and ensure community and key stakeholder engagement in the study.

• Conduct daily supervision to ensure quality of the data collection process for diagnostic and feasibility study. 

• Identify challenges and issues in the feasibility study for timely solution. 

• Conduct daily visits to the sites, to provide technical assistance and support in diagnostic and feasibility study.

• Document and share lessons from the study process

Human Resources 

• Position Reports directly to the Senior Governance Manager for SUIDAC and Assosa field coordinator for administrative purposes
• Position directly supervises: Does not apply 

Other Internal and/or external contacts: 

• Internal: Assosa field office team
• External: Regional and Assosa town bureaus; Assosa University (research firm); DAC and host community representatives etc.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Job Requirements: 

Educational Requirements:

• BA/MBA/MSc graduate in Social Science, project management, development studies, statistics or a related field)

• Advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) from an accredited university in social science, international development, evaluation research, statistics, or a related discipline required; equivalent experience may be substituted for a graduate degree.

Preferred Experience and skill:

• A Minimum of two years of working with first degree and 1 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree. 
• Proven knowledge of project design, management, research and studies
• Proven experience in community engagement and Rapid Rural Appraisal.
• Negotiation and communication skill with multiple stakeholders including community groups. 
• Planning skills, prioritizing work and multi-tasking.

Language Skills: 

• Proficient in English writing and speaking skills and the ability to speak the local language is advantageous. 

How To Apply

How to apply:

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site: - https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req54759/Social-and-Community-Engagement-Officer-SUIDAC

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances