Community Mobilization Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Community Mobilization Officer
Location: Antananarivo
Country: Madagascar
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS Madagascar provides services through its main office based in Antananarivo and has opened branch offices in several regions of the country after projects covering these regions have been signed. The UNOPS Madagascar office responds to the support needs of the government of Madagascar through funding from multilateral and bilateral donors. UNOPS Madagascar offers a wide range of procurement and infrastructure implementation services and aims to expand its support to diverse projects, providing basic services and other related services, particularly in economic and social infrastructure (construction and rehabilitation) and financial management in sectors such as agriculture, transport/public works, sanitation, health, environment, and climate change mitigation. The organization has been operational in Madagascar for several years and has established a strong presence in the region, focusing on sustainable development and community engagement.

Job Overview:
The Community Mobilization Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and is responsible for analyzing information collected in targeted areas and preparing summaries, information notes, implementation plans, and roadmaps. The officer will prepare and implement a coordinated response to community needs, collaborating with other teams (e.g., HSSE) to implement the mobilization strategy guided by project documents and strategy. The role requires ensuring the integration of community mobilization activities into communication and advocacy campaigns and related initiatives. The officer will maintain close and effective collaboration with all key stakeholders, ensuring their active participation in all project activities and committees. It is essential to ensure that community participation includes the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. The officer will lead needs assessments in targeted areas to inform program development and implementation using tools developed by other project sections. Additionally, the officer will supervise the preparation of training plans for field teams, stakeholders, or focal points, promote the project by providing substantial contributions for stories, articles, and other public relations activities in consultation with the Communication team, and ensure regular monitoring of partner activities, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract signed with UNOPS. The officer will lead efforts to extend cooperation between communities and local authorities for project implementation, ensuring that local needs, priorities, and initiatives are integrated into local authority planning. Coordination with activities of other UN agencies is also a key responsibility, as is raising awareness of project priorities, strategies, and approaches. The officer will analyze ongoing experiences to draw lessons, best practices, and share them with project management for knowledge exchange and future strategy planning. Active contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice is expected, as well as ensuring that all community mobilization team plans and indicators are set realistically and tracking their achievement. The officer will also contribute effectively to regular program reports intended for donors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze information collected in targeted areas and prepare summaries, information notes, implementation plans, and roadmaps.
• Prepare and implement a coordinated response to community needs.
• Collaborate with other teams (e.g., HSSE) to implement the mobilization strategy guided by project documents and strategy.
• Ensure integration of community mobilization activities into communication and advocacy campaigns and related initiatives.
• Maintain close and effective collaboration with all key stakeholders and ensure their active participation in all project activities and committees.
• Ensure community participation includes the most vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Lead needs assessments in targeted areas to inform program development and implementation.
• Supervise the preparation of training plans for field teams, stakeholders, or focal points.
• Promote the project by providing contributions for stories, articles, and other public relations activities. 1
• Ensure regular monitoring of partner activities, ensuring compliance with contract terms. 1
• Lead efforts to extend cooperation between communities and local authorities for project implementation. 1
• Ensure coordination with activities of other UN agencies. 1
• Raise awareness of project priorities, strategies, and approaches. 1
• Analyze ongoing experiences to draw lessons and best practices. 1
• Contribute actively to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 1
• Ensure that all community mobilization team plans and indicators are set realistically and track their achievement. 1
• Contribute effectively to regular program reports intended for donors.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in communication, community development, or a relevant field is required.
• Training in community mobilization and facilitation is an asset.
• Training in conflict resolution is an asset.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in community mobilization or related fields for candidates with a Bachelor's degree.
• At least 1 year of experience in vocational guidance and training, access to employment, income-generating activities, community violence reduction, or in a related field linked to community recovery and development is an asset.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in communication, community development, or a relevant field is required. Additional training in community mobilization and facilitation, as well as conflict resolution, is considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant experience in community mobilization or related fields if they hold a Bachelor's degree. Additionally, at least 1 year of experience in vocational guidance and training, access to employment, income-generating activities, community violence reduction, or in a related field linked to community recovery and development is advantageous.

Languages:
Excellent command of French, both spoken and written, is mandatory. Knowledge of the local language is an asset, and knowledge of English is also considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The type of engagement is a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) at level LICA-

• The duration of the engagement is indefinite, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of resources, and organizational priorities. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited applications, and applications received after the closing date will not be considered. UNOPS will only communicate with individuals selected to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process, which involves various assessments. UNOPS is committed to promoting diversity and ensuring equal access to employment. The staff of UNOPS consists of individuals from various nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS aims to maintain and enhance this diversity to ensure equal opportunities and an inclusive work environment for all its staff. UNOPS encourages women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply, particularly those from ethnic minorities, indigenous groups, and minority gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as individuals with disabilities. UNOPS seeks to ensure that all individuals can perform at their best during the evaluation process. Pre-selected individuals who require additional assistance for assessment, including reasonable accommodations, are invited to inform HR personnel after receiving an invitation to participate in the assessment. For staff positions, UNOPS reserves the right to assign a person to a lower-level position than that published in the job offer. Retainer contract holders must dedicate approximately four hours of their own time to complete mandatory training before starting to provide services to UNOPS. They may also be required to take courses to refresh their knowledge or new mandatory training as part of their contract. No compensation will be provided for the time spent on these trainings. All UNOPS staff must adhere to the UN Charter, UNOPS policies and instructions, and any other relevant accountability framework in the performance of their duties. Furthermore, staff members must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals consistent with the values of the United Nations and the vision of 'Our Common Agenda'. UNOPS policy requires reference checks for all individuals selected for a position, and these checks are critical for hiring.