Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Intern at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Intern

Requisition ID: req11279
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Governance
Employment Category: Intern
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Slot: 2 Openings

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, women's 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. IRC’s Emergency Response Team, with local partner CISCOPE (Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication), implemented a project to support livelihoods and improve WASH in Kogi State from February to May 2013. This was followed by a 3-month nutrition and food security program in the same location from October 2013 to January 2014. The IRC is now in the process of establishing long term presence in Nigeria.  An office has been established in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria and are providing critical humanitarian assistance to conflict affected people.

Job Overview / Summary

• The IRC is seeking interns to support its ongoing Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), which is an essential component of IRC Nigeria’s preparedness and response plan for COVID-19.  In this time of great uncertainty, people must be able to make informed decisions to adopt positive behavior changes and seek safe and effective treatment.  
• To make such informed decisions, essential messages about the virus must be available and adapted for local contexts. By delivering messages that convey both essential health and hygiene information, but also help to protect and empower all individuals in the community (through safety, education, livelihoods, and power outcomes), we increase both the reach and efficiency of these messages.   
• As one of the leading humanitarian actors in Northeast Nigeria, with a long track record of community engagement and trust, it is part of IRC Nigeria’s responsibility to ensure that the communities we work with have sufficient access to trustworthy information about COVID-19.
• The Risk Communication and Community Engagement Intern will support the RCCE Office Focal Point in carrying out administrative tasks as well as follow-up with other sector staff and RCCE Community Focal Points.
• RCCE Interns will be based in Maiduguri, Yobe and Gwoza.  S / he reports to the RCCE Office Focal Point for the respective location and will work closely with other IRC staff engaging in RCCE activities.  Interns shall carry out any other tasks as required by supervisors.

Major Responsibilities

• Maintain and regularly update the field site’s activity tracker on Microsoft Excel to enable IRC staff to easily monitor progress against targets
• Scan and upload online all means of verifications (MoVs) documents (i.e. attendance sheets, distribution lists and pictures)
• Conduct field visits at intervals to retrieve MOVs from RCCE Community Focal Points and work with Communities as necessary to correctly fill in the documents
• Communicate to IRC staff about progress and/or gaps in the implementations of RCCE activities
• Monitor the distribution of soaps to ensure they are in good condition and proper adherence to standard protocols.
• Draft minutes of all RCCE meetings both at the field site and country program levels Provide direct administrative support to the RCCE Team and its activities, including printing, copying, and disseminating documents, assisting the preparation of procurement-related documents, tracking attendance sheets, compiling data, producing reports, and organizing files as requested by supervisors.
• Coordinate with IRC HR and Logistics teams as necessary to organize travel and administrative needs
• Carry out other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to:  Location RCCE Focal Point
• Other Internal and / or external contacts:
• Internal: Required to be a good team player, works effectively within the team

Qualifications
Education:

• ND, HND, First Degree in Computer Sciences, Public Administration, and other related field of study.

Work Experience:

• At least 1 year of professional humanitarian/development experience; preferably with the International Rescue Committee
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation highly desirable.
• Experience with community engagement and participatory processes, including previous facilitation of group work with relevant populations and with capacity building or training exercises.  
• Good communication skills (written and verbal), cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player.
• Able to solve complex problems through a reciprocal and consultative approach
• Ability to live and productively work under stress while maintaining a sense of humor.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of one or more local languages is obligatory.  

Competencies:

• Computer literacy is a requirement. The candidate must be proficient in Microsoft programs (i.e. MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as able to access and navigate the internet.
• Ability to multitask and pay close attention to details
• Good communication skills (written and verbal), cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player.
• Ability to live and productively work under stress while maintaining a sense of humor.

Working Environment:

• The position is based in Damaturu, Maiduguri and Gwoza. Successful candidates will be required to work 8 hours daily and 6 hours on Fridays.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.