SRH Community Mobilization Assistant 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: SRH Community Mobilization Assistant

Requisition ID: req52288
Location: Zamfara
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Work Arrangement: In-person

Project Overview

• The Integrated emergency response to the displaced population in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States, NW Nigeria project is an anticipated consortium project proposed to be led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with four parnters.  
• The project will be funded by Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), USAID aims to provide integrated multi-sectoral lifesaving assistance in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection and Multi-purpose Cash to the displaced populations in Zamfara State (Anka & Gusau LGAs), Sokoto State (Goronyo & Rabah LGAs) and Katsina State (Batagarawa & Katsina LGAs) in NW Nigeria.
• The consortium program theory of change believes that if comprehensive humanitarian assistance in health, nutrition, food assistance, WASH and protection services is tailored to meet the needs of the conflict-affected displaced population, THEN, women, men, girls, boys and vulnerable IDPs life will be saved, alleviating their suffering, and maintaining their human dignity. The consortium requires a dedicated senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager to spearhead program technical support, consolidation, and harmonization of program quality tracking tools in all the sectors by the different consortium members.

Scope of Work

• The community Mobilization assistant’s is responsible for the following major roles; the implementation of educational and promotional activities as well as conducting all community awareness / mobilization activities related to Reproductive Health (RH) for women, girls, men and boys in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State.
• He / she will supervise a network of community volunteers and traditional birth attendants and work closely with the other members of the reproductive health and GBV team.
• Design and lead efforts to improve community awareness and acceptance of reproductive health services. Implement community mobilization efforts to improve women, girls, men and boys’ access to and use of reproductive health services.

Major Responsibilities
Under the technical supervision of Health Manager -, the responsibilities of the Community Mobilizer include but are not limited to the following:
Community Activities:

• Conducts assessments and surveys in the community to identify trends and needs.
• Participation in the design, plan, and input to the work-plans, based on identified trends and needs.
• Implementation of community mobilization activities to specifically access “hard to reach” and vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Organize culturally sensitive educational and promotional activities to raise awareness on RH topics/services, including Family Planning, Mother and Neonatal health, Antenatal Care, and Postnatal Care, Awareness of STIs and infection prevention, Referral, and guidance for survivors of sexual assault.
• Contribute to the development of a variety of health education materials and tools to fit the context.
• Mobilize the community, women and girls, women’s groups, community groups etc. to increase RH awareness and service utilization, together with RH and GBV teams.
• Liaise with midwives and community health workers to track and monitor women/clients targeted by the program.
• Ensure the safe and confidential referral of identified survivors of sexual assault to GBV services.
• Organize meetings with community representatives, and target groups as needed.
• Engage community leaders, stake holders and influential members of the community in creating awareness and community support for Reproductive Health.
• Participate in the recruitment of community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants, Peer educators and Men champions.
• Training of community health volunteers, Traditional birth attendants, Peer Educators and Men champions on RH topics/service promotion, hygiene promotion, waste management, infection prevention etc.
• Supervise community volunteers and traditional birth attendants during planned community activities.
• Participate in community workshops, meetings, or any discussions on reproductive health.
• Participate in the development and translation of all messages in the most appropriate language.
• Active participation in the regular RH/WPE meetings.
• Identify advocacy concerns, Initiate, and coordinate advocacy actions.

Monitoring Responsibilities:

• Keep record of all the health education/promotional sessions (disaggregated by gender/ age/ IDP/Host etc.).
• Compile weekly summary of community mobilization activities.
• Responsible for compiling timely monthly community mobilization activity reports and data compilation.

Other Duties:

• Ensure that all distribution of community mobilization items is done in a timely manner according to distribution plan with relevant supporting documentations.
• Keep a record of distributed/used materials and provides a monthly stock report.
• Any other assigned task by supervisors
• Confidentiality:
• Ensure non-disclosure of any information whatsoever about practices and IRC activities to any other person or organization without permission, except in the normal performance of the service.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Health Manager
• Position directly supervises: Community SRH/ PHC Volunteers, CHIPS,  and Traditional Birth Attendants
• Indirect Reporting:  Health Manager/ Senior Health Officer
• Internal: WPE Community Mobilizers, Case Workers, and Midwives
• External: Community Leaders/Stakeholders

Qualifications
Education:

•  Registered Nurse / Midwife or CHEW. Additional qualifications in community engagement are a plus.

Work Experience:

• Two years’ experience of working as a community mobilizer٫ or other similar position.
• Significant experience of stakeholders’ engagement.
• Experience with office management software like MS Office (MS Excel and MS Word, specifically)
• Strong organization skills with a problem-solving attitude
• Very good in time management and ability to work under pressure with high level of flexibility.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with close attention to detail.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.