Community Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Community Officer

Sector: Women Protection & Empowerment

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Sierra Leone

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

BACKGROUND:
Present in Sierra Leone since 1999, IRC supports Sierra Leonean institutions—government, civil society, community-based organizations, and private sector – to provide improved social services, decrease youth unemployment, and mitigate gender-based violence.  The IRC does this through programs and partnerships designed to improve the lives of women, youth, and children by implementing Health, Education, and Women and Girl’s Protection and Empowerment (WGPE) programming. 

The Women and Girls’ Protection and Empowerment  Sector Vision: Women and girls live in a world where they are valued, and able to: live free from violence and inequality; pursue their potential, and exercise their rights to their safety, equality, and voice.

Job Summary
The WGPE Community Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day direct implementation of all components of the Foundations project within targeted rural communities in Kailahun district. S/he will be responsible for establishing and developing informal adolescent girls’ groups, outside of the school setting, Women Action Groups (WAGS), and male groups. The Community Officer will be responsible for the facilitation of all program activities for adolescent girls, women, and men in the community.  She/he will be involved in community mobilization, sensitization, and advocacy programs, and interface with traditional institutions, religious leaders, community leaders, and local government authorities towards ensuring quality implementation of all Foundation components at the community levels.As such, s/he will be based in the target communities and report directly to the WGPE Site Manager. 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Position Reports to WGPE Site Manager
Other internal: WGPE Senior Program Manager, M&E Officer, M&E Manager, Kailahun Field Manager, Field Coordinator, Health, Education and Protection Teams
External contacts: Save the Children, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children’s Affairs, Planned Parenthood Association Sierra Leone (PPASL), Ministry of Health and Sanitation Officials, INGOs, NGOs, and other key partners, donors, Community, and District Stakeholders

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program implementation and quality
Work directly on the implementation of the Foundations Project in Kailahun, and manage associated day-to-day tasks, including:
with support from the Site Manager, the WGPE Coordinator, and the WGPE Program Manager, work on the start-up and implementation of the out-of-school Older Adolescent Girls and Women Action Groups and activities, ensuring groups are formed in a safe, comfortable, and confidential manner and environment.
Work directly with groups and communities across all aspects of programming, including:
Capacity building – training, workshops and mentoring
Community engagement and mobilization
Awareness raising and behaviour change
Psychosocial support and well-being
Women and girls Advocacy, leadership, voice, and solidarity building
Work with partners
With support from the Managers, ensure all aspects of programming follow best practices.

Staff Development and Support
Actively participate in WGPE capacity-building opportunities and share learning and experiences with the wider WGPE teams, other IRC sectors, and program partners
Actively pursue professional development opportunities based on performance and development objectives, and liaise with supervisor for support on identifying and realizing these where possible

Representation and Advocacy
Support the managers on-site by representing the WGPE team at any relevant district-level coordination meetings as and when required.
Advocate for the needs, priorities, and interests of women and girls at the community level and district where required in line with WGPE’s approach to working with, supporting, and empowering women and girls.
Other
Undertake tasks as requested by Supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS 
A minimum of a certificate or diploma in community development, social work, or equivalent in any relevant discipline.

Experience:
At least 2 years of cognate experience in development work at community levels.
Computer literate and able to work well using MS Office packages.
Experience in community mobilization, advocacy, and conflict management.
Experience using digital tools for data collection and survey activities.
Understand the geographic terrain and environment.

SKILLS and ABILITIES;
Mandatory:
Committed to the mission and principles of the International Rescue Committee;
Operational management: willingness to understand IRC policies and systems and apply them effectively.
Applies effective utilization of resources;
Ability to work within a team environment.
Ability to work with all grades of staff;
Ability to identify issues, problems, and opportunities early and inform the line manager.
Results-driven: ensures objectives and deadlines are met;
Respectful both within the organization and with external interactions.
Proficient in verbal and written English
Organization skills, including time management and the ability to work independently and take initiative
Ability to work in very basic conditions
Good motorcycle riding skills and a valid driving license

Standards of Professional Conduct:
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality:
The 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.

Please see application link: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/47775?c=rescue.