Community Mobilizer (Kabul, Afghanistan)

Background Information – Job-specific

The Afghanistan health system has made considerable progress, and the health indicators have also significantly improved between 2003 and 2020. The key enablers for the health sector’s improvements have seen strong local stewardship, sound and stable policy frameworks, prioritization of investments in primary care, and BPHS and EPHS implementation. However, the COVID-19 outbreak poses a significant challenge to the country that is already struggling with deep-seated poverty and long-running conflict and political instability. The implications of existing conflict and the newly emerged COVID-19 crisis go deeper than stats and figures, resulting in long-lasting damage to the physical, mental, social, and economic well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

To contribute to the health response in mitigating the recent COVID-19 outbreak and reducing related morbidity and mortality, Cordaid has been mobilizing resources to implement cost-effective and high impact interventions in the country. In partnership with Agha Khan Foundation (AKF), Cordaid is initiating an EU Funded Project to strengthen Afghanistan’s COVID-19 response.  The project will cover 16 provinces, while Cordaid, with its local partners, will implement the project planned activities in 8 out of the 16 target provinces.

This position’s incumbent is responsible for community awareness and enhancement of the community engagement in COVI-19 prevention and mitigation efforts in line with the MoPH and WHO recommendations.

Functional Responsibilities

• Organize and facilitate community-based awareness orientation sessions and household visits to raise community awareness about transmission and prevention of COVID-19, using appropriate teaching methodologies, behavior change communication (BCC) and IEC material,
• Strengthen implementation of community-level measures introduced by the MoPH such as social distancing, home quarantine, appropriate management of dead bodies, and movement restrictions
• Mobilize existing community-based platforms including religious leaders, community elders, representatives of the community development committees, community health shuras, CHWs, CHSs, and family health action groups to understand their role and responsibility about  preventive measures for COVID-19 at the community level,
• Conduct supportive visits to the community to promote healthy behavior and referral of suspected cases to the health facilities,
• Assist trainer/supervisor in facilitating HFs staff and CHWSs training,
• Assist communities in the establishment of community-based early warning system and preparation of community action plans,
• Coordinate with influential community elders and religious leaders, ensuring that they know the project objectives on risk reduction and prevention of COVID-19,
• Change the community perception regarding Covid-19 and keep the community updated about the outbreak in Afghanistan   
• Disseminate printed IEC material in line with the WHO and MoPH recommendations considering the community needs,
• Develop weekly and monthly plans, carry out planned tasks within the assigned timelines and provide activity report accordingly
• Promote hygiene practices in line with the MoPH and WHO guidelines on COVID-19 prevention,
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Background Information – Cordaid

Cordaid was established in 2000, when several Dutch aid organizations joined forces. But our history goes back more than a century. Cordaid has changed over the years and is more than a donor now. Reducing fragility has become our core priority and we work in all contexts of fragility, from relief, through rehabilitation to longer term development. To do this effectively we seek funds, start partnerships and compete on a global market.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments and inspired by compassion, solidarity and subsidiarity, Cordaid’s mission is to reduce fragility and the vulnerability of people where it is most needed and most difficult. We recognize that the overriding challenge in fragile and (post-)conflict countries is restoring trust and social cohesion, at community level and between communities and the state. This is what Cordaid does, right in the heart of communities, by mobilizing global networks, resources and knowledge. By doing this, we help people move beyond survival and live in dignity.

Cordaid does this by promoting equality and social inclusion, by increasing the resilience of people and societies and by strengthening the social contract between citizens and their governments. Wherever we can, we combine lifesaving humanitarian aid with the longer-term improvement of health care systems, economic opportunities and resilience, and the promotion of security and justice.

Background Information – Afghanistan Country Office

Cordaid is working in and on fragility, and has been active in Afghanistan since 2001, aiming at a stable and peaceful country. We work in 6 thematic areas, supported by lobby and advocacy activities: health care, extractives, security and justice, humanitarian aid, resilience and private sector development. We provide programmatic leadership and require that our operations and those of our local partners are implemented to the highest standards complemented with knowledge generation that incorporates best practices and lessons learned.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• 12th-grade graduates; however; a university degree is preferred
• At least two years of working experience with community
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in local languages
• Good understanding of COVID-19 dissemination and prevention
• Highly familiar with local traditions and customs

Skills:

• Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of Cordaid,
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor capacity development,
• Demonstrated ability in adult education and BCC,
• Spoken and written competence in Dari and Pashtu,
• Able to travel freely to project sites at the district level,
• Good computer skills
• Ability to collect data, establish facts, define problems, work proactively, and draw valid conclusions.
• Extremely flexible with the ability to cope with stressful situations

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal, coordination, and negotiation skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity,
• Strong commitment to integrity, professionalism, creativity and innovation, learning, accountability, planning, organization, result orientation, teamwork, and technological solutions.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in Cordaid and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example,
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan, and applies newly acquired skills

Coordination and collaboration

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication through the policy consultation, design, and implementation phases.
• Builds strong relationships with government authorities, line ministries, and other stakeholders, focusing on projects results and responding positively to feedback,
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Kabul time.
• Applications should include a motivation letter and an extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Submission Email
Jobs.Afghanistan@cordaid.org