WPE Community Engagement Officer – Internal Only needed at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

 The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state, Damatru of Yobe State and Zamfara and katsina States. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious human rights and public health issue affecting women and girls around the world. It impacts all aspects of women and girl’s physical, emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It has harmful consequences for the individuals who experience it, their families, and communities. The Roving Community Engagement Officer will be based in Gusau, Zamfara state and with support from the WPE program managers, heshe will work in coordination with the prevention and response teams to design strategies using EMAP and SASA Together! modules to prevent gender-based violence as well as takes lead in engaging community leaders, community based structures and partners through trainings and awareness raising sessions that are geared towards GBV prevention and response. This position will have 80% travel in intervention sites including Katsina state and coordinate with other IRC sectors including the M&E, actors to conduct assessments (baseline and end line) and share reports that will be used to inform program design and quality. 20% of the time will focus on activities planning, strategies design and development and quality report.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• The Community Engagement Officer will assist the Program Manager in developing and sustaining a GBV community mobilization strategy that will allow members of the community to reflect on the GBV issues affecting their community and guide them in their effort to prevent GBV. 
• Work with community mobilization assistants and community-based workers to design key sensitization messages using the SASA Together! community sensitization guide.
• The Community Engagement Officer access training needs and works with the Program Manager to plan and implement trainings accordingly.
• Do regular field visits to assist community-based workers and community mobilization assistants in community mobilization using EMAP and SASA Together! modules.
• Ensure key stakeholders such as police, judiciary, heads of schools, heads of health institutions, community leaders, local groups including women and adolescent girls’ groups, community volunteers and the ministry of women and social development are engaged for trainings and community sensitizations.
• With support from Program Manager, take the lead in the commemoration of international events: International Women’s Day, 16 days of activism and international day of the girl child and submit a comprehensive evidence-based report.
• Ensure the formation of women, and adolescent girls’ groups (WAG, EMAP, AG, SASA Together!) and develop guidelines for the formation of these groups and their roles with reference to the Nigeria context.
• He will coordinate with the other WPE Response officer and Protection Meal officer to assist in assessment and surveys including PDM, Safety Audits, knowledge checking etc. and provide update to improve program quality.
• The Community Engagement Officer Will help to establish collaborative relationships with consortium partners including subsector working group, local authorities: Ministry of women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of health to strengthen GBV prevention and response through a coordinated referral pathway.

Program Development

• Support the strategic direction of the WPE program by identifying emerging GBV trends, service gaps, and opportunities for innovation, and collaborate with the Program Manager to adjust strategies accordingly.
• Coordinate with the WPE Response Officer and MEAL Officer to conduct assessments and surveys (e.g., PDM, Safety Audits), and use findings to provide actionable insights for enhancing program quality and refining strategies.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.
• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of Community mobilization assistant in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Zamfara and katsina.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews…
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Lead and support research initiatives to gather data on GBV trends, service delivery gaps, and community needs, ensuring that findings inform programmatic decisions and strategic adjustments.
• Analyze data from assessments, surveys, and monitoring activities (e.g., Post-Distribution Monitoring, Safety Audits) to identify patterns, challenges, and areas for improvement in GBV prevention and response programs and report to the program manager.
• Collaborate with the MEAL team to ensure robust data collection, monitoring, and evaluation processes that contribute to the continuous learning and improvement of WPE interventions.
• Ensure lessons learned and best practices from program implementation are documented and shared within the team and with relevant stakeholders, contributing to evidence-based advocacy and program enhancement.

Coordination & Representation

• Meet with community-based workers, community mobilization assistant, Case workers, case management officer on a weekly basis to coordinate activities and work schedules.
• Communicate with the Program Manager on program progress, constraints, and identified needs.
• Assist Program Manager in designing a GBV Training Strategy and IEC materials.
• Liaise closely with other IRC sectors for additional training to benefit IRC staff and community members in consultation with the Program Manager
• In collaboration with protection M&E, plan and implement surveys and needs assessments as required.
• liaise with community leaders, government agencies, IRC program sectors and other appropriate agencies to ensure that the program is meeting their needs.
• Attend GBV sub-sector working groups meetings in field bases and encourage working group members to be active advocates on GBV issues affecting the state.
• Ensure that sub-sector working groups properly assess and prioritize needs and resources before taking deliberate action.  
• In coordination with WPE Managers and prevention team, assess training needs of sub-sector working groups members and plan appropriate training.
• Ensure field staff are working closely with community leaders, government agencies, IRC program sectors, women’s groups, and other agencies in their operational area.
• Design, implement and evaluate quality GBV awareness raising sessions and training in a systematic and consistent manner by establishing GBV training procedures.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to:  WPE Manager

Indirect/Technical Reporting: WPE Technical Adviser

Position directly Supervises: Community Mobilization assistant

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  Safeguarding Officer
• Region/Global:

Key External Contacts:  Government Stakeholders

Qualifications

Education:

• University degree in Social Work, Political Science, or a related field.

Work Experience:

• 3 years’ experience implementing GBV prevention programming including experience in emergency or post-conflict project management

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in implementation GBV primary prevention activities like EMAP, SASA Together! And Advocacy

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencie

• Excellent communication skills, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player.
• Experience in using community based and participatory approaches.
• Experience in community mobilization and awareness creation.
• Experience in working in remote and hard to reach areas with limited amenities

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and other languages desirable.
• Knowledge of the local language and context will be an added value.