Description
The KODRO project aims to support community strengthening and resilience in the Central African Republic, in close collaboration with the Government of the CAR. The Senior Project Associate (Community Engagement) will work under the overall supervision of the Field Coordinators and the direct supervision of the National Community Engagement Officer.
The incumbent will be responsible for implementing community engagement and social cohesion activities at the grassroots level, facilitating community meetings, mobilizing community participation, and ensuring that activities are aligned with local priorities and conflict-sensitive.
Responsibilities:
- Organize and facilitate community meetings, consultations, focus groups, and awareness-raising activities in targeted communities.
- Mobilize community members, including women, men, youth, displaced persons, returnees, migrants, and vulnerable individuals, to ensure their active participation in project activities.
- Support the concrete implementation of community engagement and social cohesion activities, such as community dialogues, socio-cultural events, and community gatherings.
- Participate in participatory community planning exercises and the formulation of community action plans, and monitor their implementation at the local level.
- Ensure daily liaison with community leaders, local committees, local authorities, and proximity governance structures to facilitate activity implementation.
- Identify and follow up with beneficiaries and participants in activities, and maintain updated presence lists and activity registers.
- Collect feedback, concerns, and suggestions from communities and transmit them to the National Community Engagement Officer to inform implementation.
- Support the functioning of community feedback and complaint mechanisms, and direct community members to appropriate services and contact points.
- Observe and report on social tensions, conflict dynamics, and community grievances, and promptly alert the supervisor to adapt activities.
- Coordinate the logistical organization of field activities, including mobilization of participants, site preparation, materials, and monitoring.
- Coordinate data collection in the field and the elaboration of periodic activity reports.
- Participate in local coordination and community meetings as delegated.
- Conduct frequent travel within the area of responsibility.
- Perform any other related tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
- A degree in social sciences, community development, social work, political science, or a related field, issued by an accredited academic institution, combined with four years of relevant professional experience; or secondary education combined with six years of relevant professional experience.
- Experience working directly with communities, preferably in community engagement, social mobilization, social cohesion, or awareness-raising activities.
- Experience facilitating community meetings, participatory consultations, and outreach activities.
- Good knowledge of the social, cultural, and community context of the duty station.
- Experience working with local authorities, community leaders, and civil society organizations.
- Experience with international organizations, NGOs, or government institutions is an asset.
Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills with communities.
- Knowledge of participatory and community mobilization approaches.
- Conflict sensitivity, gender awareness, and inclusion.
- Ability to work in challenging field conditions and travel frequently.
- Good organizational and basic data collection skills.
- Proficiency in basic computer tools (MS Office suite); knowledge of local languages is an asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in French (written and spoken).
- Familiarity with English, Sango, and local languages is desirable.