Community Engagement Manager at Medair

Role & Responsibilities

Support the Medair team to manage and support the community engagement activities part of Medair’s interventions actions related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), with greater emphasis on the Early Warning System (EWS), Wash, and in the context of emergency response the community engagement manager will be key in disease control. The Community Engagement Manager will work with the project coordinators and project managers to effectively engage with all layers of the community and other stakeholders involved in emergency & disaster preparedness and response.

Project Overview

At Madagascar Medair implements DRR, EWS and WASH projects in Morondave (West), Ambanja (North) and Androy (South). Medair is also a key stakeholder in emergency response in the country, partnered with UNICEF, ECHO, SDC and others. In the timely response to a potential disaster, the active participation of the community is essential. On the one hand, to identify and understand the risk to which they are exposed, as well as to identify and implement the necessary measures that allow them to save their life and goods from eventual cyclones, floods and other adverse events to which they are exposed.

To give sustainability to this type of intervention and increase the resilience of this vulnerable population, a key aspect is the change of community behaviour; to achieve this, effective community engagement is essential.

Workplace & Conditions

Field based position in Antananarivo, Madagascar with availability to travel to project intervention sites and field sites affected by emergencies and disasters. Take a look at Medair’s work in Madagascar.**

Interventions can be performed in remote and hard-to-reach areas (for which the environment is physically challenging, accessible on foot). The security context is monitored and visits to emergency locations will be expected.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, minimum 12 months.

Key Activity Areas

Coordination

• Represent Medair and collaborate with local authorities, partners, and other NGOs as part of the community engagement activities.
• Coordinate actions with the Medair project managers/coordinators from the different intervention sites.

Behavior Change Communication

• Support project managers/coordinators in organizing community engagement activities with different layers of the community such as youth, women, local producers, traditional practitioners, and other stakeholders; and ensure activities are being implemented based on the needs of the communities.
• Seek to provide mental health and psychosocial support inputs as feasible to promote community resilience after emergencies and disasters.
• Implement tools to monitor knowledge retention of the targeted population.
• Provide training to Medair staff in community engagement tools and approaches.

Management

• Develop work and monitoring plans and monitor the progress of activities according to the needs of the project and the emergency preparedness and response strategy.
• Propose lines of intervention and new intervention activities according to the response plans, the information received from the Early Warning System and the needs on the ground.
• Train and supervise volunteers/community leaders in their activities on the ground.
• Ensure high communication and coordination with project coordinators, WASH (and other technical sectors) managers to implement coordinated interventions on the ground.
• Support the country program in design and creation of new project proposals, and in reporting.

Quality and Compliance

• Develop and update activity tracking tools in collaboration with the M&E Assistant.
• Ensure all volunteers/community leaders are compliant with Medair guidelines, policies, and procedures, and adherent to any applicable donor guidelines.
• Ensure all relevant staff receive training, advice, and coaching regarding community engagement to be applied to their sector as needed.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in social sciences in the humanitarian sector or other relevant field. Sociology, social work or psychology background or education is desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of English and French (spoken and written).

Experience / Competencies

• 2 years’ post-qualification professional experience.
• At least 1-year humanitarian experience where you worked as a social worker or similar.
• Able to take initiatives and speak confidently.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standard.