All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships.

Background

HARETNA (حارتنا) is a consortium project that aims to build local capacity to identify and organise around collective priorities, mobilise resources, implement projects and influence the local authorities and key stakeholders. It aims to foster peaceful, community-led change, empowering diverse community members to work together to address their common challenges and reduce gender inequalities through strengthened social cohesion. This iterative process will demonstrate the value of collective action while strengthening the capacity of the selected communities to lead their own sustainable recovery and development. The Haretna Consortium will guide urban communities in North (Mina, Trab Mseihiyen & Muslimen), Beirut and Mount Lebanon (Chiyah, Hay El Jwar), and South (El Dekermen, Lower Taamir) through a participatory process of identifying and understanding community issues, developing solutions, and prioritising what to work on through community-wide projects. It originates by bringing diverse community members, across different age, gender and identity groups, into a common process. Communities will discuss and assess their needs and create Sustainable Recovery Plans (SRPs) with concrete projects that address their identified concerns. These SRPs will build on the process and structures developed from Springboard projects the first few months of the overall project. The consortium, funded by AFD and DANIDA, is composed of four members: the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (Consortium Lead), Coordinamento delle Organizzazioni per il Servizio Volontario (COSV), the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (RDFL) and Tripoli Entrepreneur Club (TEC).

Purpose of the role

The Community Engagement Team leader is responsible for building relationships between Haretna Consortium and the selected community through facilitating participatory decision-making processes and expanding the inclusion of frequently marginalised populations. The position holder will foster the creation of networks and development of stronger social capital and will build mechanisms that enable social change, gender equality/equity, and accessibility.

What you will do

1. Ensure accountability, adherence, and compliance with NRC and Haretna policies, procedures, donor guidelines, and project cycle management.
2. Work with the Project Manager at ensuring that project targets beneficiaries most in need, and explore and asses new and better ways to assist.
3. Promote and share ideas for technical improvement.
4. Implement the consortium’s day-day activities, budget and project documentation as delegated by the Project Manager.
5. Provide regular progress reports to the Project Manager.
6. Act as a representative of the Consortium in the area
7. Liaise and collaborate with the relevant municipalities, local authorities, and other key stakeholders.
8. Manage the Community Engagement team, and build their capacity on participatory methodologies.
9. Support the Community Engagement Project Manager in developing communication and dissemination plans. Seek learning opportunities that would contribute to advocacy initiatives.
10. Under leadership of the Project Manager, Ensure that Haretna’s related activities are implemented within NRC’s Protection mainstreaming guidelines, policies and report any breaches/concerns to the Community Engagement Project Manager and/or focal point for proper action.

Specifically you will;

• Lead the community mapping and mobilisation in the selected neighborhoods.
• Prepare logistics, reporting and analysis of all “town hall” meetings, trainings and workshops.
• Support overall plans for all community mobilisation activities related to Phase 1 of the project and procurement oversight, in collaboration with the community Engagement Project Manager.
• Provide leadership to the community engagement team, in collaboration with the Community Engagement Project Manager.
• Participate in training and coaching of Haretna Consortium Community Engagement team.
• Lead the project at the neighborhood level, including the setup and activation of the governance structure (i.e. Neighborhood Action Groups) and relevant technical reference groups.
• Keep the community updated about the projects and promote available services and community capacities.
• Organise and participate all project related events, trainings, consultations with communities, mobilisation of youth, and community design workshops.

Professional competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies or any related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in design, implementation and management of community engagement and/or social cohesion projects.
• Experience in urban contexts, consortium projects, integrating programmes, steering M&E systems, establishing accountability mechanisms, and working with European donors.
• Familiarity with participatory (community-driven) approaches, and gender and inclusion mainstreaming programming.
• Understanding of the geopolitics and local context in the relevant area.
• Skills in community mobilisation is critical.
• Demonstrable experience in advocacy, communication, influencing, diplomacy, and negotiation combined with high degree of patience and cultural sensitivity; with an ability to convene diverse community members/groups into common processes.
• Gender and Inclusion training is an asset.
• Fluency in Arabic and English, both written and verbal.

Behavioral competencies

• Working with People
• Communicating with impact and respect
• Act with integrity
• Empower people
• Planning and delivering results
• Handling insecure environments

NRC line managers must have the following Leadership profile.

• Build meaningful relations.
• Empower people.
• Act with integrity
• Deliver results.

What We Offer

NRC is an equal opportunities employer and aims to have staffing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and physical ability.

We offer an opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause and a chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

• To be dedicated in what we do;
• To be innovative with our solutions;
• To act as one unified and inclusive team;
• To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the people we exist to serve, and to each other… the members of our NRC family.