Community Mobilizer

Background/IRC Summary:  

the Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing modern humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding, and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

As part of its Syria response, the IRC has programs to support women and girls throughout Al-Hasakeh and Ar-Raqqa governorates in Syria. The WPE Community Mobiliser works within the women and girls safe spaces and the community. They will disseminate information to targeted women and girls and their communities using a variety of methods as appropriate for the context, and is responsible for ensuring that women and girls have access to and receive essential information in line with key messages developed by the program. They will also assist the Women’s Center Officer, Adolescent Girls Assistant, WPE Case Workers and activity facilitators in engagement with focus groups and other psychosocial activities. The position will also facilitate access to services, including making safe and ethical referrals to social workers

Responsibilities:

• Adhere to and proactively promote the women-, girl- and survivor-centered support approach, and the GBV guiding principles;
• Through regular, daily, community outreach paired with one other team member, build and maintain relationships with communities, including local leaders, different groups, and stakeholders, in order to foster an environment of support to women and girls and survivors of GBV and the centers and safe spaces;
• Support the WPE center team in conducting focus groups and other activities, guided by women and girls, for the safe spaces that gage risks to women and girls;
• With the technical support from the Women’s Center Officer/Snr WPE Program Officer, develop appropriate messages on the types of services and support available to survivors of GBV, where these services are available, how communities can support survivors to access services, and the consequences of GBV and the benefits of seeking care and support;
• Assess the topics that met the needs of the community and particularly women and girls; report ideas to the Women’s Center Officer and –
• Create community session materials, seeking review and approval of all materials and resources prior to use, from the Women Center Officer/Snr Program Officer;
• Provide and reinforce appropriate safe and confidential referrals of survivors of GBV; and –
• Adhere to the GBV guiding principles throughout all GBV outreach and engagement interventions. This includes ensuring confidentiality of survivors, and respect for their wishes and decisions;
• Identify concerns related to and support adherence to GBV referral protocols and GBV guiding principles, and bring these concerns to the Women’s center Officer;
• Work with WPE team ensure that the centres and safe spaces are responding to the evolving needs of communities;
• Work with the WPE team to conduct regular safety audits and ensure to work with women and girls
• Support distributions of risk reduction items (inc. dignity kits) and follow on monitoring;
• Support the recruitment and indirectly supervise all Community Mobilisers/Focal Point incentive workers/volunteers; ensuring they understand their roles and are mentored to succeed.
  
  

Other duties and responsibilities

• Complete attendance sheets for relevant activities and contribute to monthly activity reports, according to guidance provided by the Women’s Center Officer, and supply information on a weekly basis to the Women’s Center Officer in-line with deadlines;
• Maintain positive coordination and relationships with partner and other sector staff.