Especialista en Participación Comunitaria y Acompañamiento en Refugios

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of children worldwide. With a mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, including Venezuela since 196

• The organization focuses on equity, directing resources to the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, and collaborates with national and local authorities, civil society, academia, and the private sector to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The position of Especialista en Participación Comunitaria y Acompañamiento en Refugios is part of UNICEF's humanitarian response in Venezuela, aimed at strengthening direct communication, community participation, and accountability in shelters and temporary accommodations affected by emergencies. The UN Volunteer will be integrated into the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) team and will work closely with various teams including Emergencies, Communication, Accountability, Child Protection, Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Education, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as local authorities and implementing partners. The main purpose of this assignment is to ensure a systematic and direct presence in shelters to facilitate access for affected individuals to services, provide clear and timely information, gather their questions, concerns, and recommendations, strengthen feedback mechanisms, adapt technical messages to the local context, and support coordination with community leaders, organizations, and trusted networks. This role is crucial for ensuring that communities are aware of available services, can participate in decisions affecting them, and have safe channels to express concerns, requests, complaints, and alerts. Special attention will be given to the needs of children, adolescents, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other groups at higher risk of exclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the SBC Officer and in coordination with programmatic and emergency teams, the UN Volunteer will perform the following functions:

• Management and activation in shelters: Maintain a regular and visible presence in assigned shelters, establishing trust with affected individuals, authorities, management teams, and present organizations. Support the organization of information, orientation, dialogue, and community participation spaces. Keep information about available services, schedules, locations, access requirements, and contact mechanisms updated and visible. Facilitate individual and group conversations to identify questions, concerns, access barriers, perceptions, rumors, risk practices, and information needs. Collect and record comments, suggestions, requests, and complaints through established mechanisms by UNICEF and its partners in coordination with the Accountability to Affected Populations team. Ensure that received concerns are channeled to responsible actors and support the closure of the feedback loop by communicating responses and actions taken back to the communities. Identify alerts related to protection, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, or other services and refer them immediately through established routes and protocols, without assuming case management functions. Promote safe and inclusive participation of women, adolescents, persons with disabilities, and other groups that may face barriers to expressing their needs in coordination with Gender and Accountability to Affected Populations teams. Support the formation or strengthening of committees, support groups, and community focal points within shelters.
• Adaptation and dissemination of messages on the ground: Transform technical information into simple, clear, practical, and culturally appropriate messages for communities. Adapt messages according to the characteristics of each shelter, including age, gender, disability, language, literacy levels, and available communication channels. Support the validation and pre-testing of messages with community members before dissemination. Disseminate information through community sessions, interpersonal conversations, bulletin boards, whiteboards, loudspeakers, community radio, mobile messaging, and other relevant channels. Work with sector teams to ensure that messages about health, immunization, nutrition, protection, education, hygiene, and access to services are technically correct and harmonized. Periodically verify if individuals have received and understood the disseminated information. Identify rumors, incorrect information, or information gaps and communicate them promptly to the SBC team. Support the adjustment of messages and activities based on community feedback and changes in the operational situation.
• Local articulation and trust networks: Map community leaders, local organizations, faith-based organizations, youth networks, women's groups, persons with disabilities, teachers, health personnel, community media, and other trusted actors. Establish and maintain working relationships with local actors to expand the reach of information and community participation. Facilitate coordination meetings between shelter management teams, public institutions, community organizations, and humanitarian partners. Support the activation of community networks to promote protective practices, access to services, and collective actions. Provide basic guidance and support to leaders, community volunteers, and focal points on communication in emergencies, active listening, inclusion, and safe referral. Inform the UNICEF team about changes in community dynamics, tensions, access barriers, rumors, and collaboration opportunities.
• Monitoring, safeguarding, and documentation: Maintain clear and confidential records of activities performed, population reached, main concerns, and follow-up actions. Provide information for monitoring indicators of community participation, feedback, access to information, and trust. Document good practices, learnings, and community solutions that can be replicated in other shelters. Adhere to safeguarding principles, protection against exploitation and sexual abuse, confidentiality, informed consent, and 'do no harm'. Perform other related functions as necessary to support the emergency response.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong commitment to the principles of humanitarian action and the ability to work effectively in a challenging environment. Candidates should possess excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse groups, and a strong understanding of community dynamics. Knowledge of humanitarian principles and practices, as well as experience in community engagement and participation, is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are crucial for effectively conveying information and engaging with community members.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in social sciences, community development, public health, or a related field is required. Additional training or certifications in community engagement, communication, or humanitarian response will be considered an asset. Candidates should have a solid understanding of child rights and the principles of equity and inclusion, as well as familiarity with the local context and culture.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant experience in community engagement, social work, or humanitarian response. Experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly in emergency settings, is highly desirable. Familiarity with UNICEF's mission and values, as well as experience in coordinating with local authorities and community organizations, will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication in Venezuela. Proficiency in English is considered a valuable asset, as it may facilitate communication with international teams and stakeholders. Knowledge of indigenous languages or other local dialects will also be beneficial, particularly in areas with diverse populations.

Additional Notes:
The assignment will require regular presence in shelters, temporary accommodations, and affected communities. Operational conditions may change rapidly and may include service interruptions, limited infrastructure, shared workspaces, prolonged travel, and restricted access to certain areas. The selected individual must strictly adhere to the security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security guidelines of the United Nations and UNICEF, participate in mandatory inductions, and use only authorized means of transportation. The work may require flexible hours and occasional availability during weekends, depending on the needs of the response. Maturity, cultural sensitivity, resilience, the ability to work under pressure, and a willingness to interact respectfully with individuals experiencing displacement, loss, or uncertainty are essential qualities for this role. Benefits include a monthly subsistence allowance of USD 1299.58, medical, dental, and hospital insurance, as well as life and disability insurance up to policy limits. Medical insurance for dependents is also provided, along with annual vacation accrual at a rate of 2.5 days per month.