GENERAL FUNCTION
Internews is seeking a Community Communications and Engagement Adviser, with experience of creating and implementing cross-sectoral and context-tailored community engagement approaches. The role will involve extensive liaising with the humanitarian and development architecture in South Sudan, including providing strategic leadership on community engagement and technical guidance on engagement methodology to all Internews sites and partners, including clusters in South Sudan. In addition, the Adviser would embark on comprehensive capacity building in CCE planning and methodology with humanitarian partners nationally. Travel is required for this position and an ability to adapt and react to the ever-changing needs of a conflict/disaster prone environment. The advisor reports to humanitarian director (HD) and works closely with the HD on strategic planning, coordination and implementation. S/he should have experience of capacity building staff members, monitoring performance and cultivating talent.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, other duties may be assigned:
- Develop a South Sudan-tailored non-camp setting feedback collection and community engagement methodology.
- Develop new research and learning methodology on community engagement which meets the varied needs of each sector.
- The adviser should be a good trainer and will be responsible for both ‘training of trainers’ and CCE trainings for Internews humanitarian liaison officers and cluster partners.
- Chair the national CCE working group, providing strategic direction and leadership to its members. The working group should be activity driven and most produce tangible CCE solutions to the broader humanitarian sphere.
- Work closely with the HCT, ICWG and clusters to provide technical guidance in how to embed a CCE approach in every part of the project cycle across all sectors.
- Fully conversant in the latest developments in CCE, with excellent training skills, to impart this knowledge to partner agencies.
- Advise on improving qualitative products from South Sudan response-wide range feedback from the field.
- Supervise training program, ensuring humanitarian liaison officers are equipped to train on qualitative data collection, CCE methodology, humanitarian communication, behavior change communications and training techniques.
- Regularly visit field locations to learn from CCE good-practice examples emerging in the field which can be adapted and implemented across other locations to improve community access to humanitarians, to ensure communities are engaged in decision making and to fill information gaps.
- Undertake mapping exercises to understand the current capacity level of humanitarians conducting CCE activities and to understand the gaps.
- Undertake stakeholder mapping exercises to understand power structures in communities in both displacement camps and camp-like settings.
- Engage with relevant working groups to harmonize activities and ensure the group is supported to place communities at the center for this decision-making process.
- Reinforce and expand two-way communication channels and systems between humanitarian agencies, and local community groups and individuals.
- Manage and drive research activities (including surveys, focus group discussions, community mapping, etc.) to learn and build on humanitarian knowledge of CCE.
- Contribute to proposal development.
- Liaise with donors and arrange site visits as required.
- Provide CCE support to partners during an emergency when needed.
- Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced University degree in anthropology, communication, international development, or humanitarian sector
- Experience in leading projects, including research, learning and reporting
- Experience in leading and coordinating teams and staff
- Experience in community engagement projects, with a strong focus on the feedback loop from IDPs and refugees into the humanitarian system
- A thorough understanding of the work of humanitarian and development agencies, including working within the context of recovery and resilience, refugee protection and assistance, UN cluster system, coordination and peacekeeping operations
- Strong communication and diplomatic skills
- Proven ability to develop and monitor work plans and training plans
- Practical experience in establishing and operating capacity building & training programs
- Experience living and working in Africa and/or conflict/post-conflict environments required; experience in South Sudan desirable
- Ability to adjust to shifting political circumstances and create programming accordingly
- Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the workplace and experience supervising staff
- Must be self-reliant, resourceful, good problem-solver, good humored, and flexible
- Ability to travel within and spend extended time in the field, with limited facilities, often under harsh conditions
- Fluency in English, Arabic a plus
This position is being offered and hired by Internews Network. Benefits will be consistent with Internews Network’s offerings and will be reviewed during the hiring process. Additional information can be found on our About Working for Internews page.
Note: This position is posted in a High or Extreme Physical Risk location. Conditions in the field may include, but are not limited to the following: compound living quarters, limited mobility outside of designated areas, limited in-country medical care or pharmacy, limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables, limited access to high speed internet, dress code requirements, unaccompanied posting, and required advanced safety and security training. If selected for an interview for this position, ensure you discuss the specifics of living and working in this unique operating environment and consider them at length during the recruitment process.
More Information
- Job City South Sudan
