Community Engagement and Accountability Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. The organization is dedicated to providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on areas that are often overlooked and where the need for assistance is greatest. The organization emphasizes professional growth, innovation, and a supportive work culture, fostering an environment where employees at all levels are given responsibility and encouraged to contribute to the mission. NRC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees treat everyone with respect and dignity, and work towards building a safe environment for all. Safeguarding is a central tenet of NRC's operations, with a strict zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Job Overview:
The Community Engagement and Accountability Officer plays a crucial role in the Norwegian Refugee Council's efforts to ensure that the voices of affected communities are heard and that their feedback is integrated into design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation. This position involves organizing and executing tasks in alignment with NRC's policies and standards, demonstrating initiative in daily problem-solving, and preparing activity reports as requested by the CFM Coordinator. The officer will be responsible for managing community feedback received through various channels, ensuring confidentiality and ethical handling of sensitive information. The role also includes supporting awareness sessions with staff on NRC's Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) approach, and ensuring compliance with NRC's policies and procedures. The officer will engage with community members to provide accurate information about NRC services and respond to frequently asked questions, thereby enhancing the organization's accountability to the communities it serves.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Community Engagement and Accountability Officer will have a range of responsibilities including: responding to calls received on NRC's feedback hotline, documenting these calls in the database according to guidelines provided by the department coordinator, and ensuring timely follow-up on feedback. The officer will also support the recording of feedback received through other channels such as community meetings and feedback boxes, ensuring that all information is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Additionally, the officer will develop materials and tools for CFM that are accessible to all community members, including those with low literacy levels. Participation in community engagement meetings and reporting on these engagements is also a key responsibility. The officer will assist in data entry and other tasks as discussed with their supervisor, contributing to the overall effectiveness of NRC's community engagement efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Community Engagement and Accountability Officer position should possess a minimum of 6 months of relevant experience in accountability, community engagement, or protection. A diploma of BAC +2 in psychology, sociology, communication, modern literature, project management, or a related field is required. Knowledge of Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), Protection from Exploitation and Abuse (PEAS), child protection, and the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) is essential. Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is required, and experience with Microsoft 365 collaboration tools (such as SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive) is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a BAC +2 diploma in fields such as psychology, sociology, communication, modern literature, project management, or any related discipline that equips the candidate with the necessary skills for community engagement and accountability work.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 6 months of relevant experience in areas such as accountability, community engagement, or protection. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to effectively engage with communities and manage feedback mechanisms in a humanitarian context.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, given the location and the communities served. Proficiency in English or other local languages would be considered an advantage, enhancing communication with diverse community members and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The Norwegian Refugee Council is open to recruiting both nationally and internationally, depending on the qualifications of the candidates. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process, and the organization emphasizes a supportive work environment that encourages professional development.