Social and Community Engagement Officer – SUIDAC

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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 Assosa 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: Assossa field office team
• External: Regional and Assossa town bureaus; Assossa 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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. 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.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.