HIAS
POSITION SUMMARY
HIAS is seeking a Community Engagement and Protection Officer with strong experience in legal protection, Gender Based Violence and protection of people with specific needs, but also a record in engaging and communicating with these target groups, conducting needs assessments and smaller scale and informal consultations with Persons of Concern. This will be a position of leadership in developing and facilitating relationships between HIAS and community leaders and stakeholders at both the city wide and country level, with the refugee community. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that programming pursued by HIAS is informed by and driven by the community. To facilitate effectiveness and efficiency in this role, the Community Engagement Officer position will be physically embedded in the community through constant communication and consultation.
The officer will work with local actors to improve protection mechanisms, dissemination of information, building robust referral mechanisms and mainstream community approaches to mitigation of protection risks and provision of response services. The incumbent will also work closely with other technical program staff in the organization to meet the safety, psychosocial, economic, and justice needs of survivors and facilitate their access to appropriate care. It is vital that the incumbent maintains a constant communication stream with the local refugee community and the host community, represents a valuable “source” to understand needs, issues, and host community-refugee community relations. The incumbent joins a small, yet growing and dynamic team based in Moldova. This position reports to Program Manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Work with the HIAS team to identify and advance issues impacting the overarching goal of assisting refugees and other vulnerable categories.
- Consult on sustained opportunities that contribute to refugee communities’ integration and thriving.
- Serve as leader with respect to program staff around methodologies and best practices in authentic and effective community engagement.
- Maintain a close contact with authorities, UN agencies and local CSOs to insure that HIAS has an effective outreach program disseminating information in an effective and accessible manner regarding refugee and migrants’ rights and access to services.
- Work in partnership with partners of HIAS on supporting GBV Program development in partnership with local NGOs and local authorities across Romania.
- Develop and maintain strong, authentic relationships with local partners.
- Identify strategic opportunities and connections between HIAS and the community and prospect for ideas and initiatives.
- Develop and support community-based protection strengthening mechanism.
- Create an outreach plan in Moldova in line with the HIAS strategic plan.
- Develop GBV risk mitigation strategies and support for the vulnerable persons with specific needs, LGBTQ+ and Roma including survivors of GBV.
- Contribute to the design of new ways of engaging community in ending violence against refugee women, men, girls and LGBTQ+ persons
- Support local partners in the implementation of safeguarding policies
- Work in close contact with partners to operationalize safe spaces for victims to build peer support networks to enhance their economic and social assets
- Support qualitative assessments through Focus Groups Discussions, direct consultations to better understand trends in risks to protection.
- Gather and present to the HIAS team regular and up-to-date information about needs and issues that the refugee community confronts itself with, with regular consultations or focus groups
- Participate and represent HIAS in national and regional coordination meetings.
- Participate in capacity building initiatives for staff, partners and other stakeholders to create awareness, ensure quality and comprehensive delivery of project activities
- Ensure that best practices on protection are respected and the international standards are met in responding to protection needs.
- In partnership with local actors, develop protection risk mitigation programming for refugee women and children with focus on GBV prevention and response, mitigating risks for persons with special needs and minority groups including LGBTQ+ and Roma.
- Monitor Protection related programming implemented by local partners
- Contribute in the development of project proposal, concept notes and sector publications
- Participate in protection and GBV inter-agency coordination working groups
- Coordinate development and dissemination of legal protection materials for displaced population in Moldova
- Support the development of direct protection and GBV services in the selected target group areas.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Refugee Studies, human rights, Gender Studies, Community Development Studies, Social Science and/or other related fields of study
- Minimum of 5 years previous job experience related to community protection.
- In-depth knowledge and experience in refugee protection, community protection and GBV, economic inclusion.
- Demonstrated experience of working in partnership with multiple actors.
- experience with operationalizing protection (and GBV) principles and knowledge of international humanitarian standards.
- Knowledge of Accountability to Affected Populations framework
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills required.
- Responsible, Professional and with Integrity
- Ability to work with people from different culture settings.
- Ability to work effectively with teams.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, especially refugees or asylum seekers.
- Fluency in English (oral and written) and (preferably) Moldovan. Added advantage to candidates who speak Ukrainian/Russian
- Must have the rights to work and live in the Republic of Moldova.
- Knowledge on Computers; Ms-Office, Email and Internet.
DISCLAIMER:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.
SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:
We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:
Step 1: Submit your application!
Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.
Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.
Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.
Step 5: Reference check.
Step 6: Offer and background check.
Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!
Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.
ABOUT US:
Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.
HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.
VISION:
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.
MISSION:
Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
VALUES:
Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • (Hachnasat Orchim)
We Welcome the Stranger
Justice • Justicia • Justice • (Tzedek)
We Pursue Justice
Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • (Chesed)
We Approach our Clients with Empathy
Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • (Chevruta)
We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership
Courage • Coraje • Courage • (Ometz)
We Act with Courage to Build a Better World
Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • (Ruach)
We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience
DIVERSITY:
HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.
SAFEGUARDING:
HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
How to apply
Please submit your resume, cover letter and application to our website: https://hias.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2238397&&&nohd#job