Community Engagement Officer Full-Time

Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V./ Johanniter International Assistance is hiring a Community Engagement Officer for Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

Organization Description

Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. is a German non-governmental organisation, dedicated to excellence in the field of first aid, ambulance service, social service programmes and other projects in the medical and social field. The Federal Headquarters (HQ) are based in Berlin, Germany. Johanniter International Assistance is the operational unit for humanitarian aid, development co-operation and emergency relief, implementing and supporting projects in Health, Nutrition, WASH as well as Food Security & Income Generation worldwide. (www.thejohanniter.org)

Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Overall job purpose

This position is a pivotal role within the organisation, working directly under the direct supervision of the PM Humanitarian, the Community Engagement Officer is responsible for developing and maintain relationships with organizations, government agencies, and the community by creating effective communications strategies. He/She will be responsible for facilitating a partnership with a local service provider appointed to deliver a series of community functions and activities. This position will also involve planning and facilitating community services initiatives.

Reporting lines

• Reporting to: Project Manager (first level), Senior Program Manager (next level supervisors);
• Gives technical advice to: Partners organizations and community actors;
• Receives technical advice from: Project Manager and Senior Programme Manager;
• Standing in for: Project Manager;
• Represented by: Project Manager

Tasks

Position Objectives

• To develop, manage, facilitate and deliver community programs for the people who we work with;
• To build and maintain strong relationships with community members, service and delivery agencies and stakeholder groups;
• To support the development, implementation of the plans acoording to the program/ project in place.

Strategy and Vision

• Actively supports the values of Johanniter and shapes programme work according to these values;
• Together with the Senior Program Manager and Project Manager, ensures the development and implementation of the Johanniter International Assistance strategy in her/his area of responsibility.

Community Mobilization

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and members of our community and gain their trust;
• Work as part of a team to design, plan, execute, and monitor community-based activities;
• Assist the project manager in planning and developing communication strategies though Focus.

Group Discussions

• Planning and organizing events to boost community awareness;
• Designing and implementing innovative strategies for community engagement, including the creation and orientation of theatre groups, community dances, discussion fora etc.;
• Complete reports on project activities, including good quality activity photos, documentation of feedback from community engagement sessions, and the proactive sharing of lessons learned;
• Coordinate a team of volunteers, including identifying the opportunities for affecting positive changes;
• Training of the base structure of communities in good practices;
• Support in distributions of non-food items;
• Leadership and supervision of the daily work of artisans and activists;
• Coordination with technicians from relevant government institutions.

Assessments and community consultations

• Ensure that communities are able to freely and safely voice their needs and preferences;
• Improve community participation in important decisions by creating and forming committees, and leading regular meetings and focus groups, including mobilization of communities to participate actively in the project activities;
• Conduct periodic in-depth surveys and focus group discussions;
• Promoting feedback mechanisms and grievances;
• Community awareness of good practices;
• Verification of families and households;
• Leading, training and supervision of enumerators.

Person Specification

Professional Qualification and Experience

• Requirement of an undergraduate degree in social studies, communications or a similar subject;
• Minimum 2 years of proven work experience in a similar position;
• Strong knowledge of community engagement techniques (focus groups, lectures, trainings, etc.);
• Strong experience in leading community theatre or similar creative approaches;
• Experience in implementation of social and behaviour change and Community engagement activities;
• Full commitment to humanitarian principles, gender equality, and the rights of displaced persons and protection of children;
• Proven previous experience working with displaced people is an advantage.

Skills

• Proactive and problem-solving attitude;
• Willingness to work in areas receiving displaced people in Cabo Delgado;
• Good planning and analytical skills;
• Excellent computer skills and competency in Microsoft Office;
• Detail-oriented individual with good multi-tasking abilities and good communication skills, both oral and written;
• Fluent in English and Portuguese. Dominion of local languages is desired;
• Proactive, open-minded and creative individual able to find innovative solutions to challenges;
• Able to work well both within a team and independently; culturally sensitive and flexible to adjust to quickly to challenging and fast-changing context; coping well with stress and in intense and difficult environment;
• Committed, mature individual able to take responsibilities and make decisions in a transparent and accountable way; ability to set clear objectives and successfully achieve them.

Desirable

• Qualifications suitable to the position;
• Work history in similar roles;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a cross-cultural environment;
• Experience in Local Government.

Remuneration

• According to JIA Mozambique Salary Grid, ranging from 120.000,00 MZN to 125.000,00 MZN gross depending on education and work experience.

How to Apply

Send your CV and indicating the subject of your email “JIA-MOZ-Community Engagement Officer 02/2024”.

We strongly encourage applications from female candidates and people with physical disabilities.

Please note: This Job Description is dynamic and can be adjusted. The employee is obliged, apart from the above-cited tasks, to fulfil – on demand by his/her supervisor – other tasks that belong by its character to his/her post or are necessary due to operational needs.

It is Johanniter’s responsibility to create an environment built on integrity, respect and accountability, in which all staff and volunteers are comfortable to work and feel safe. We have a zero tolerance policy when people cause harm to others. Those who misbehave or are complicit will be held accountable for harmful actions. It is the employee’s responsibility to promote appropriate behaviour and to report infringements that could potentially harm those in our organisation’s care and damage the reputation of Johanniter. Those who raise complaints or concerns will be appropriately protected and respected.