Community Participation and Communication Officer
South Sudan: Community Participation and Communication Officer
Organization: Danish Refugee Council
Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 17 Jan 2017
We are looking for highly qualified and self-motivated Community Participation and Communication Officer able to work with diverse teams of both national and international staff as well as local government authorities, UN agencies, I/NGOs and other partners under challenging and sometimes insecure conditions. ?
**ABOUT US**
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency and has in conjunction with our specialist unit, Danish Demining Group (DDG), been operating in South Sudan since 2005; initially concentrating on providing safe and supportive conditions for refugees returning from neighboring countries after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed. We are currently actively engaged in providing humanitarian services to both internally displaced persons and also refugees from Sudan, through 450 national staff, 50 expatriate staff and an annual budget of approximately USD 20 million. Our main office is in Juba with field offices in Ajuong Thok, Bentiu, Maban, Malakal and Melut.
**PURPOSE**
The Community Participation and Communication Officer is in charge of one of the project sections at area level and is responsible for CCCM activities in and around Bentiu. The Community Participation and Communication Officer is responsible for Coordination of Assistance, Protection and General services delivery at the communities identified in the “Beyond Bentiu” strategy in Rubkona, Guit and Koch counties. S/he ensures the establishment of effective and representative out-of-camp governance structures and promotion of beneficiary participation in decision making and implementation of community affairs; ensures sound information management incorporating monitoring and feedback systems; facilitates effective communication with out-of-camp population, and oversees operation, care and maintenance of relevant services. S/he liaises closely with Sector Managers within DRC and develops and sustains strong partnerships with all stakeholders operating in the settlements. S/he is supervised by the Area Manager and technically supported by the CCCM Technical Coordinator based in Juba. S/he supervises a team of DRC camp management staff – contracted national staff and large teams of casuals and/or incentive workers.
**RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS**
To achieve the objectives of the position, the Community Participation and Communication Officer will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities;
**Programming**
- Promote beneficiary participation of out-of-camp communities
- Facilitate establishment of out-of-camp committees whose members are representative of thepopulation, with a specific technical or cross-cutting sector focus and cutting across agencies: Protection, Shelter, WASH, etc. and ensuring that representation takes into account Persons with Special Needs – Elderly, Youth, Living with Disabilities, etc
- Facilitate and coordinate formal meetings and dialogue sessions with community representatives
- Develop the capacity of leaders, committee members and interest groups through training, Focused Group Discussions, peers sessions and dialogue sessions.
- Ensuring that out-of-camp management feedback procedures and complaints mechanisms are in place, and forums are developed for the camp population to contribute and be listened to.
**Promotion and facilitation of humanitarian services**
- Facilitate the establishment of and support the running of Youth Recreational Activities including sports.
- Promote and facilitate community development and enjoyment Cultural Activities
- Facilitate peace and reconciliation initiatives among community leaders
- Coordinate in General Food and NFI distribution as may be required
- Facilitate community celebration and enjoyment of global events and public events
**Monitoring and coordination**
- Ensure gaps in assistance to beneficiaries are filled and avoid duplication of activities by conducting regular and systematic monitoring of service delivery in the location, drawing the attention of stakeholders and partners to overarching needs
- Conduct service monitoring across sectors in the location to gain and share a holistic understanding of services and standards in the area
- Work with the CCCM cluster lead to advocate for adherence to agreed upon minimum standards of services among stakeholders and partners
- Identify and formalize roles and responsibilities between agencies providing services in the camp as a crucial function to addressing gaps and helping to avoid misunderstandings
- Reporting to and coordinating with the CCCM Cluster Lead in Bentiu
**Management of information and facilitation of communication**
- Receive, conduct and/or facilitate baseline information on the characteristics of the population to inform, additional assistance programmes and the effective coordination of distributions
- Liaise with Protection Department to identify and register people with special needs (child headed families, unaccompanied orphans and minors, the elderly, people living with disabilities, etc.) in order to facilitate their timely and convenient access to services
- Liaise with CCCM Sector Lead, UNHCR/OCHA and Local Authorities in establishing and maintaining an up to date population database that reflect births, deaths, arrivals, departures and other fluctuations in the population.
- Operate information dissemination boards and other channels of communicating information between agencies and the residents in the area
- Coordinate with other partners on dissemination of public announcements and messages
**Budgeting, Budget expenditure and Budget Tracking**
- Disburse and track expenditure of camp management budget component, flagging any over and under expenditures in a timely manner
- Prepare project procurement plans and order for materials in a timely manner
**Human Resources and Administration**
- Supervise camp management team of contracted and casual staff, ensuring effective staff deployment, performance planning and appraisals for supervisees
- Manage casual staff contracts and camp service contracts
- Ensure staff is well versed on the DRC’s Code of Conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the IDPs, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse
**Coordination and Representation**
- Represent DRC and actively participate in CCCM cluster, coordination, and other meetings relevant to CCCM issues, on request of the Area Manager. Liaise with partners, local authorities, and local communities whenever it serves the objectives of the program in the area of CCCM;
- Forge strong information and experience sharing relationships with CCCM teams in other DRC South Sudan locations;
- Perform other relevant duties assigned by the Area Manager.
**QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE**
**Required Qualifications**
- A degree in political/social sciences, management, development studies, international development or equivalent degree qualifications;
- At least 2 years camp management experience of which at least 1 year should be at international level and in South Sudan or in geographic or conflict context similar to South Sudan;
- Proven technical knowledge of CCCM, project cycle management, SPHERE standards and NFI guidelines;
- Experience in proposal and budget development and project implementation (including budget management);
- Understanding of and experience in engaging the cluster system in IDP camps or coordination mechanisms in refugee camps;
- Ability for rapid analysis of very complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication and ease in managing a multi-ethnic team;
- Good team leadership and conflict resolution skills, consensus team building, and adaptability;
- Patience and understanding to work with and develop capacity of national staff.
- Experience delivering programs to tight deadlines;
- Good computer and IT skills and strong communication and writing skills;
- Fluency in written and spoken English language;
- Ability and willingness to work in remote and isolated location with ever changing security scenarios;
**Desirable qualification and experience**
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Prior experience in South Sudan an added advantage
- Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision
- Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset.
WE OFFER
A contract contract ending July 31st, 2017,renewable dependent on both funding and performance.
Duty Station: Bentiu.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at level A16.
How to apply:
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button.
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. CV only applications will not be considered. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please note, as this position is urgent, applicants may be shortlisted and interviewed prior to the closing date.
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk
Applications close on Tuesday 17th January, 2017 by 11.59 PM South Sudan (Nairobi) time.