Community Mobilization & Hygiene Promotion Coordinator (Herat, Afghanistan)

Job Description

Job Description:General Position Summary Community Mobilization & Hygiene Promotion Coordinator (CMHPC) will lead the development of community mobilization strategies and methodologies to mobilize and empower program target communities to ensure their effective participation through all phases of the program implementation. S/he is also responsible to provide lead to the design and implementation of all hygiene promotion related activities in the project area. The position involves training, coordination and monitoring of community mobilization and hygiene promotion activities, management and supervision of community mobilizers and hygiene promoters and coordination with project engineering staff as well as the relevant staff of associate agencies and representatives of target communities. Essential Job Responsibilities Community Mobilization

Working with Senior Program Manager and Senior Engineer develop strategies that allow for optimal community involvement in their respective activities to maintain a focus on the longer-term sustainability. Coordinate with and support program team in the implementation of projects that facilitate communities to play more proactive roles. Support community mobilization staff to prepare plans to assist communities to achieve their prioritized goals through targeted technical assistance, grants and linkages to other local and national resources. Assist Senior Program Manager to develop and maintain close working relationships with local authorities specifically local government and municipalities, and other local and international NGOs active in the project areas. Foster a collaborative team atmosphere, which engages the stakeholders. Coordinate work plans for community mobilization with Senior Program Manager. Identify training needs and develop, implement and maintain training plan. Train community mobilization team for monitoring, evaluation, quality control and general implementation. Provide formal and informal reports on program activities in a timely and efficient manner to the Program Manager.

Hygiene Promotion

Formulate strategies and procedures related to hygiene promotion activities and coordinate and lead all activities related to hygiene promotion in the project area. Participate in the recruitment of hygiene promotion staff, identify their training needs, devise and impart necessary training, and/or identify/arrange appropriate training opportunities outside the organization Working with the Senior Program Manager, Senior Engineer and M&E staff, develop baseline and endline survey procedures and support the hygiene promoters and other field staff in conducting the surveys. Review the existing/available hygiene education materials and procedures, and modify/develop hygiene promotion session contents and materials for men, women and school children. Supervise the implementation of field surveys and collection of other field information and organize computerization of the mentioned data. Working with the M&E staff analyze field data and formulate reports as required. Coordinate with Senior Engineer and Water Quality Monitor/Officer on water testing activities at household and community level. Develop contacts and coordinate with appropriate governmental, non-governmental and international agencies in the field, including participating in relevant meetings. Prepare periodic progress reports on activities related to hygiene promotion and water quality. Assist Senior Program Manager in the writing of progress reports and proposals for submission to the Mercy Corps Country/Head Offices and donor agencies. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. Any other relevant tasks assigned.

Influence & Representation

Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with WASH Cluster, relevant local governments and other stakeholders relevant for Herat/Western region. Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership. Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Works directly with Senior Engineer, Water Quality Monitor/Officer, M&E Officer Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Background

About Mercy Corps/ STAR:About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Country Summary Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986 with a large portfolio of programs addressing the promotion of sustainable licit livelihoods, agriculture development, youth vocational training, Renewable Energy and natural resource management; it has helped more than 2.5 million Afghans through these wide-range of community–based agriculture and economic development programs. Mercy Corps is working in Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Herat, Takhar, Badakhshan, Parwan, Baghlan,,Samangan, Balkh and Nangarhar. Program/Department Summary Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan since the onset of the political and security crises in 1986 and through subsequent humanitarian crises. Mercy Corps remains committed to addressing critical needs of Afghan communities and connecting them with appropriate resources. Over the years, Mercy Corps has increased its capacity and expertise to successfully implement emergency programs and reach the most vulnerable populations while leveraging its past experience. Mercy Corps has implemented several key programs in the South and North of the country in key sectors such as agriculture and food security, skills development, renewable energy, natural resources management, community infrastructure and job creation. More recently, Mercy Corps completed a WASH program focused at some of the major IDP/returnee settlements in and around Herat city in Western Afghanistan. Mercy Corps is currently preparing to implement a new WASH/livelihoods program “Supporting Transformation for Afghanistan’s Recovery (STAR)” in four conflict-affected districts in the Herat province. This 24-mohth program is expected to directly benefit some 24,000 women, men and children living in approximately 16 rural villages who come from a multi-ethnic background. These districts were among the worst affected due to the prolonged conflict. While they were still struggling to recover from the effects of the unrest, they were hit by yet another drought recently. Over the years, their main livelihood sources have diminished as a result of low agricultural production and depletion of the livestock population. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. Equal Employment Opportunity Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work. Safeguarding & Ethics Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Job Requirements

Job Requirements:Hard Skills

Masters’ degree in social science or related subjects with at least five (5) years work experience in NGO sector. Specific fields of experience capacity building, community development, public health, hygiene promotion, education, water and sanitation, economic opportunities, natural resource management, and youth mobilization. Strong communication and team leadership and management skills required. Computer knowledge is essential. Appropriate English literacy and to be competent in writing reports and proposal background information. Good skills in carrying out field surveys, assessments and analysis. Knowledge of local language and familiarity with project area highly desired.

Soft Skills

Attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines, working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively. Ability to work on multiple task and prioritize effectively Strong Computer knowledge (MS Office) Strong communication skills required Time Management skills required Willing to travel to Mercy Corps sub field offices

Success Summary

The position is based in Herat and it requires travel to Kabul and possibly other provinces within Afghanistan. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Vacancy Number

MCA017-2021

No. Of Jobs

Nationality

National

Years of Experience

12 months (expected to extend to 24 months)

Duration

Any

Salary

MCA Salary Scale

Submission Guideline

Submission Guideline:While sending your CV & Cover letter in one file, please mention the vacancy number and position in the subject line, application received after the closing date and without subject line will not be given consideration. Please include three references from you previous and current supervisors in your CV and make sure that their official email addresses are mentioned in the reference information. Only short listed candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for interview. Interested candidates should send their Application to : af-vacancieskbl@mercycorps.org
Submission Email
af-vacancieskbl@mercycorps.org