Community outreach and community engagement (COCE) officer - INTERSOS

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Community outreach and community engagement (COCE) officer

Duty station: 2 positions – 1 for Sabha (and Brak Al Shati)& 1 for Ajdabiya – Libya

Type of Contract: Full Time.

Reporting to: Activity coordinator and Project Manager (functional) and Protection Officers and Protection Coordinator (technical)

Supervises: Any staff engaged in communication with communities (CwC): social workers, social outreach workers and community mobilizers, and community outreach volunteers.

General context of the project

INTERSOS is an Italian humanitarian organization that aims to provide immediate response, protection and durable solutions to populations affected by humanitarian crises, assisting the most vulnerable groups.

In Libya INTERSOS is active since 2018, operating in 3 bases, across West, East and South. INTERSOS in Libya aims to alleviate suffering of the most vulnerable population groups in Libya, in particular with a focus on access to essential services and strengthen capacity of local authorities, local organizations and communities to prevent and mitigate the effects of the protracted crisis in Libya, developing a protection conducive environment and enhancing community resilience, with programs focused on Education, Protection, Health, WASH/public works and Livelihoods/Food Security.​

Purpose / Objectives:

In close collaboration with the Activity Coordinator and Project Manager (functional supervision) and
Protection Officers and Protection Coordinator (technical supervision), the COCE officer is responsible for
the organization of community outreach and community engagement activities, including awareness
session cycles on health and conflict sensitivity and the organization of social events to strengthen the
cohesion among local stakeholders.
The COCE officer is in charge of the identification and coordination of a number of community volunteers
who are part of protection networks, and whose role it is to mobilize/raise awareness within the
community, to carry out needs assessments, support protection monitoring and organize awareness
raising to generate an understanding of the protection environment, to map out service providers in the
area and to ensure referrals to existing structures/organizations, in addition to enhance conflict sensitive
programming and promote social cohesion at community level.
Responsibilities/duties:
Community engagement and mobilization
 Promote and facilitate the community focal points and volunteers’ engagement in INTERSOS
activities
 Support (the development of) community networks/initiative (identification, establishment,
capacity building) in the areas of intervention
 Together with the community networks/initiative, define a work plan with clear objectives to
address protection issues in their respective locations
 Support the development of awareness campaigns according to needs to be conducted in the
areas of intervention
 Work in close cooperation with community volunteers to organize awareness sessions for
different target groups on protection, conflict sensitivity and social cohesion related topics; while
liaising with education and health teams to integrate messaging on health and education related
topics
Capacity building
 Ensure ongoing mapping and assessment of the capacities of community networks/initiatives and
CSO partners in terms of community engagement and outreach
 Develop the skills and capacities of the engaged volunteers with a specific capacity building plan
 Ensure the implementation of the plan under the supervision of the Activity Coordinator and
Project Manager, in coordination with the protection officers (individual case management (ICM)
and collective PSS) and protection coordinator
Support in protection monitoring/ thematic assessments / context analysis

 Conduct protection monitoring activities such as thematic protection assessments (via KIIs,
FGDs, observation) in the intervention area – and/or alternatively train outreach workers and
volunteers to undertake these on behalf of INTERSOS — to contribute to a holistic understanding
of the protection environment in the intervention area
 Be knowledgeable about protection risks, threats, vulnerabilities and protection trends in the
intervention area and provide recommendations on how to prevent/mitigate/respond to the
protection concerns of the different population groups
 Ensure ad hoc and continuous information collection from relevant stakeholders engaged to
support INTERSOS team in protection monitoring/context analysis/assessment
 Conduct and update stakeholders mapping in the areas and engage in dialogue and discussion
to ensure participation of communities and authorities in the design, implementation and
evaluation of the project activities.
Coordination
 Ensure a strong coordination with the other protection staff, with the Activity Coordinator and the
Project Manager
 Ensure the coordination among the relevant stakeholders engaged. In close consultation with line
manager, develop institutional contacts with local government and national partners at area level
(civil society, civil authorities, NGOs, non-state actors, Ministry of Education representatives, UN
agencies and donors etc.) in order to obtain all information and agreements necessary for the
integration of INTERSOS’ and INTERSOS partners’ program/activities in the local context and
improve the targeted population’s awareness on them.
Reporting
 Provide monthly planning to the Activity Coordinator and Project Manager
 Provide weekly updates to the Activity Coordinator and Protection Officers on the activities of the
week
 Provide monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports of the activities to the M&E Officer as
per internal databases
Meetings and Trainings
 Facilitate efficient and relevant trainings to increase the capacities of the community
networks/volunteers, outreach workers or any other relevant stakeholder
 Lead monthly community engagement meetings with the community networks/volunteers,
outreach workers or any other relevant stakeholder, and relevant INTERSOS/CSO partner staff
Service mapping
 Ensure outreach workers and volunteers are constantly updating service mapping of the services
(INGO, CSO, private service providers, public services) in their areas of implementation, to link
needs to services.
 Ensure that internal (case management services, legal services, education, etc.) and external
referrals are made by community volunteers and outreach workers in an efficient way
 Follow up on referrals
Any other task requested in order to achieve the project’s objectives.
Always ensure confidentiality and conduct all activities respectfully and sensitively to beneficiaries and staff.
Overall, these tasks require:
 Adherence to Humanitarian principles of Neutrality, Impartiality, Independence, and Humanity
 Clear & timely communications to line management
 Full abiding by INTERSOS internal rules and guidelines and respect INTERSOS Charter of Value
and Code of Ethics, including INTERSOS PSEA and CP policy.
Qualification/requirements.

Minimum requirements
 Hold an BA in social sciences or related fields.
 Minimum 2 years of working with NGO.
 At least 3 years of professional experience working on protection related programs,
communication with communities activities, social cohesion programming
 Ability and willingness to travel
 Strong knowledge of international protection standards
 Understanding of case management principles, standards and procedures
 Demonstrable experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with different
sectorial counterparts/referral pathways.
Other requirements:
 Flexibility in working hours with a solution-oriented approach.
 Knowledge of the area of responsibility.
 Native Arabic – EXCELLENT written and spoken English, and French will be an asset.
 Strong IT skills (proven computer literacy).
 Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission and vision of INTERSOS.
 Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
 Excellent analytical skills, observation and analysis capacity.
 Attention to detail and structured way of approaching tasks.
 Ability to plan ahead and output oriented.
 Practical and problem-solver.
 Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment and with heavy work pressure.
 Ability to adhere to deadlines and respect line management.
 Very strong interpersonal skills: strong communication and diplomatic skills.

How to apply