IFRC recruits 01 CEA Delegate

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Goma, DRC

CEA Delegate
Grade to be confirmedClosing date (Geneva time zone):26-07-2020Duty station:GomaCountry:CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THEDuty station status: Non Family Duty StationAccompanied status: Non-AccompaniedDuration:5 MonthsCategory of Staff: DelegateGrade: C1Vacancy No:IFRC04252
BackgroundThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Organizational ContextThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. Ebola is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Community engagement and accountability (CEA) supports Red Cross and Red Crescent programming and operations. It includes a set of activities that help put communities at the centre of what we do, by integrating communication and participation throughout the programme cycle or operation. CEA is the process of and commitment to providing timely, relevant and actionable life-saving and life-enhancing information to communities. It is about using the most appropriate communication approaches to listen to communities’ needs, feedback and complaints, ensuring they can actively participate and guide Red Cross Red Crescent actions. CEA supports those involved in programmes and operations to adopt innovative approaches to better understand and engage with people and communities and help them address unhealthy and unsafe practices. It maximizes the Red Cross Red Crescent’s unique relationship with the community to help them speak out about the issues that affect them and influence decision and policy-makers to implement positive changes.
Job PurposeThe CEA Delegate will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of CEA activities for the Ebola response in DRC as well COVID19 response, along with ensuring CEA is built into National Society (NS) and IFRC ways of working for this emergency operation and recovery activities. The position will provide strategic and technical advice, supervision, and training to improve communication with and accountability to communities affected by the current EVD outbreak. This will include supporting and promoting the use of innovative approaches to information sharing, community participation and feedback, behaviour and social change communication and evidence-based advocacy. The CEA Delegate will work closely with the National Society and build the capacity of National Staff to prepare for a handover of CEA activities.
Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesCoordinate, supervise and guide the Red Cross risk communication and community engagement work in the main locations, including coordinating with government and partners as part of the risk communication and community engagement pillar of the Ebola responseReview and implement the risk communication and community engagement strategy in coordination with the NS and the technical team, regularly assessing and adapting the approaches to meet risk communication and community engagement needs in affected areasAssist with the maintenance of the system for of assessing, quantifying and continuously monitoring local beliefs, perceptions, feedback and rumours to inform community engagement approaches and priority messages for volunteers’ community workIn collaboration with the different actors in the operational areas, prioritise the most effective and trusted channels to reach out and engage the targeted populationEnsure Safe and Dignified Burial (SDB) teams are equipped with effective community entry, community/family engagement and negotiation approaches and tools to improve acceptance of SDB activities and reduce risks for volunteer teams;Support the National Society and the existing programs in their community engagement and social mobilization activities.Build the capacity of NS and its branch to integrate community engagement and risk communication into the operationWork closely with DRC-RC staff and volunteers to help them identify gaps in their approach to CEA and then supporting them to address these by integrating and/or scaling up an appropriate mix of approaches and activities to communicating and engaging with people and communities affected by the current EVD epidemic.Support other operational pillars to respond to CEA needs arising in the course of their workAttend and represent the IFRC at external coordination networks and mechanisms, such as the EVD response communication commission, and ensure a coordinated approach to CEA with other NGOs, UN agencies and private sector actors.Identify opportunities for partnership with external organisations, including the use of technology and innovative approaches to enhance CEA within NS and IFRC programmes and operations.Plan and deliver CEA trainings to IFRC and NS staff and volunteers and for the various networks and working groups they support, providing staff and volunteers with the tools to carry out CEA activities supporting the above goals.Support the rolling out and adaptation of CEA Movement tools, methodologies and activities, as defined in the CEA Movement guide and toolkit, to support response and recovery programmes and operations.
EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in Communication or Social/Behavioural Sciences (i.e. Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology or Health Education) or relevant experience required. Experience• Experience in planning and delivering community engagement approaches, beneficiary communication, communication for development or accountability to communities during emergencies and/or situations of violence• Experience working for humanitarian or development organisations, within the context of developing countries• Experience setting up and managing tools for communicating with communities. For example, radio programmes, TV shows, SMS systems, community committees, social mobilisation or mobile cinemas and community dramas etc• Experience in delivering community engagement and accountability capacity building, coaching, training and developing local organizations’ staff and volunteers• Previous professional experience in a coordination role in an emergency response setting• Proven experience in planning targeted and appropriate behaviour change communication strategies• Experience of coaching, training and developing local staff and volunteers in order to build long-term capacity and create ownership• Experience working with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (Preferred)• Experience working under difficult and security sensitive zones and producing results
Knowledge, skills and languages• Good understanding of – or training in – current developments in the field of communication with communities, behavioural and social sciences, community engagement processes, strategic communication, research approaches• Sensitivity to challenging political contexts and understanding of risk management processes• Excellent project management skills, able to work under pressure and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, to a high standard and to deadline• Good planning skills, with the ability to identify areas for improvements in programmes, operations and NS/IFRC ways of working through the integration of CEA approaches and activities• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills, able to build relationships with people at all levels of the organisation• Advanced analytical skills, able to capture learning and use it to make improvements in programming and operations• Knowledge of quantitative, qualitative and participatory research methodologies and analysis• Highly motivated, self-starter able to take initiative and lead a team or process• Culturally competent with excellent ability to work effectively as part of multicultural teams and engage in a respectful, considerate manner with local staff and communities.• Good knowledge of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement preferred• Good knowledge of gender, and diversity issues in humanitarian programming preferred• Ensure the alignment of all actors involved in the field of CREC on the strategic orientations defined by the commission;• Build the capacity of staff, including local staff, supervisors and other actors involved in communication for the response in the communities to build community resilient;
Fluent spoken and written French and English (Required)Fluent spoken and written Swahili (desired) Competencies and valuesProfessionalismCommunicationsCollaboration and teamworkNational Society and customer relationsBuilding alliancesAccountabilityCreativity and innovation CommentsPOSTULER