WPE Community Mobiization Assistant

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 worlds 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 youre a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, womens empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flood disaster. Since then, the IRC has expanded its scope and size of the programs as new areas became accessible after prolonged conflict and insecurity, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. The IRC’s response to the humanitarian situation includes integrated health and nutrition services, as well as reproductive health care and women protection services. In 2015 IRC Nigeria developed a five-year long term Strategy Action Plan. The plan has Health, Education and Economic Wellbeing as high priority program areas.

The IRC WPE program implements Prevention, Response and Empowerment activities to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the focus of this program is to provide good quality health and psychosocial response services to conflict-affected women and girls in Borno State, North-Eastern Nigeria in a timely manner.

Job Overview/Summary

The WPE Community Mobilizer will engage in raising awareness in communities about gender-based violence and other gender-related issues, to facilitate a change in attitudes and behaviors that condone and perpetuate gender-based violence. This involves encouraging men and women to reflectively examine gender roles and inequalities to support a safer environment for women and girls, and to facilitate gender-inclusive development in the community. Community Mobilizer will work with communities to develop and implement plans to improve the safety and security for all individuals in the community. WPE Community Mobilizer will collaborate and coordinate with other partners to facilitate an effective multi-sectoral approach to addressing GBV.

Major Responsibilities:

• Raise awareness and promote changes in attitudes and behaviors regarding gender, gender equality and GBV.
• Promote active community participation in prevention and response to GBV.
• Develop and implement prevention strategies by ensuring the formation of community groups for response and prevention activities.
• Work with the WPE Response team to facilitate Trainings and sensitizations to community groups, local partners and CBOs on GBV issues.
• Promote the involvement of men and youth in GBV activities.
• Utilize participatory methodology to assess community needs in relation to GBV.
• Utilize participatory methodology and adult education techniques to assist communities in developing community-driven prevention and response plans.
• Mobilize community to form ‘action groups’ for awareness raising and encourage greater self-reliance among women in the communities.
• In collaboration with case worker ensure that women are engaged in psychosocial activities at the women’s centers.
• In collaboration with WPE Case Worker and Trainer, Women action groups, Youth Groups, identify training needs of community members and carryout trainings in a consistent and appropriate manner.
• Liaise with community leaders, government agencies, IRC sectors, Partners to organize training and capacity building activities.
• Promote women’s active participation in the leadership and decision-making of the community.
• In collaboration with CWC Officer, Senior Case Worker and community members conduct safety audits in the camps to identify potential security risks areas and develop strategies to address them.
• Assist WPE Program Manager, Senior Manager and Coordinator in strategic planning to ensure ongoing Programming.
• Compile and summarize weekly statistics to M&E Officer for monitoring purpose.
• Submit weekly narrative reports to WPE Program manager in a timely manner.
• Communicate all obstacles/Problems to WPE Program Manager for further action.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: WPE Senior Case Management Officer

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidate must be a graduate from a reputable University.
• At least 2yrs previous experience with community mobilization using participatory methodology.
• Good interpersonal and problem-solving skills and flexibility.
• Prefer experience with participatory /adult learning techniques.
• Must possess interest and commitment to Human Rights, Gender Equality and Gender issues
• Must be enthusiastic and creative.
• Must be fluent in community language, spoken and written English. Fluency in Hausa will be an added advantage
• Proficiency in Word and Excel required.
• Be able to work effectively in unstable, challenging, and fast-paced environments.
• Ability to keenly observe confidentiality and discretion.
• Ability to work as part of a TEAM.

Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and 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. 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.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: 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 IRC Persons in any work setting.

Gender Equality: 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.

Employment Gaps: We welcome applicants with varied career paths and recognize that a gap in employment does not define a candidates potential. We value transferrable skills and are committed to investing in the growth and development of our team members. We encourage applicants to highlight any relevant skills or experiences they have acquired, even if they were not gained in a traditional work setting.

Compensation and Benefits: IRC strives to provide externally competitive and internally equitable Compensation and Benefits programs that attracts, motivates, and retains employees that deliver strong performance while demonstrating the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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.