Community-Based Approach Specialist

Job Purpose: Within the 6 months time period, the community-based approach specialist is expected to analyse the knowledge, capacities of INTERSOS staff on community based approach and protection, analyse the current situation of community based-approach in all the protection implemented activities, identify gaps and needs, advise on enhancing the community-based approach of INTERSOS community services portfolio generally, and in relation to community outreach and engagement specifically. The aim is to ensure community ownership and participation in INTERSOS anchored projects and outreach activities. The Community-Based Approach Specialist will set a baseline to monitor and evaluate the implementation and mainstreaming of community-based approach and protection in INTERSOS programs in Bekaa.   Support and enhance community-based and volunteer-run activities in INTERSOS community centres by mentoring, advising and facilitating relevant training of INTERSOS staff, and strengthen community outreach and involvement component across INTERSOS protection activities. Advises on and facilitates  implementation of community-based approach among the staff, through developing participatory processes and assessments (tools) and providing guidance on the usage of those tools. Advises on streamlining of community-based approach across INTERSOS community-based protection portfolio, and delivers targeted trainings for staff to build capacity in this regard.   Generic Duties a)     Streamlining community-based approach Support INTERSOS to ensure understanding and application of the community-based approach in general and for the ECCs specifically and across all INTERSOS community centers in Bekaa generally, including by; Undertaking mapping of capacity building needs of INTERSOS staff at field and office levels in relation to community-based protection, and based on this; Design and launch internal capacity building strategy in order to streamline community-based approach in all protection components; Maintaining regular and positive collaboration with the colleagues to harmonize approaches and methodologies of response, share challenges and best practices and ensure that community-based protection is mainstreamed into the other sectors of intervention. Liaising with the National POs and Protection Manager to identify gaps in current activities with regard to community-based approach and protection. Developing a related strategy and work plan in order to shift the protection programs towards community-based protection. Develop a baseline to monitor and evaluate the implementation and mainstreaming of community-based approach and protection in INTERSOS programs in Bekaa. Develop a community-based protection strategy for INTERSOS Lebanon 2017-2019.   b)    Strengthen community outreach and protection monitoring Advise on field visits to relevant sites, supporting INTERSOS staff on how to engage with site communities and volunteer teams in order to fosters community ownership and allowing efficient monitoring, supervision and support. Facilitate internal review community outreach strategies and methodologies with a view to streamlining best practices. Advise on application of community-based protection monitoring at the field level.   c)     Strengthen community centers Work with INTERSOS and ECC teams to develop and launch a strategy for strong community-anchoring of the ECCs and community centres, capacity build the staff on  stimulating community participation with special attention to inclusiveness and age, gender and diversity mainstreaming including: Advise on establishment of and collaboration with community centre committees  through AGD inclusive and participatory community-based processes and to ensure community ownership, including also promotion of volunteerism and community self-reliance by guiding the staff on various methodologies for effective implementation. Advise INTERSOS staff on mentoring of ECC volunteer teams and how to enhance their capacities  by offering technical advice and guidance on needs assessment, design, planning, implementation and development of activities in relation to community priorities and relevant ToRs and SOPs; Support staff with design and delivery of trainings tailored to meet identified capacity building needs (e.g on facilitation, lesson planning, service mapping and referral pathways) including organizing for external support on training delivery;   d)    Coordination Liaise with the National PO/CS for systematic and structured involvement of the senior social workers/ community mobilizers in ECC activity support, community involvement, trainings, and any other activities. Liaising with the National POs in order to organize meetings with the teams when needed.     Monitoring & Reporting   Support community centre volunteer teams and committees  to develop  activity schedules and work plans in line with the needs and priorities of the community in the line with the community-based goals and objectives; Support and advice on the development of community-based structures around to support the embedded community centres and anchor community-involvement in the community centres including common expectations and performance of ECC managers and volunteers. Elaborate community-based approach trends, challenges and lessons learned on a quarterly basis; Develop a monitoring tool for the baseline to monitor and evaluate the progress and mainstreaming of community-based approach and protection in INTERSOS programs in Bekaa. Reporting monthly on progress of mainstreaming and the impact of community-based approach in INTERSOS Bekaa programs. Contribute to the drafting of internal/external reports (weekly/monthly/and quarterly) according to INTERSOS and donors requirements ensuring that reports are of a high quality and submitted on time   Coordination & Representation Develop and maintain effective working relationship with stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders and service providers in the target areas. Proactively participate in protection and relevant INTERSOS coordination meeting at the national, and district level.  Liaise with support of the line manager field-offices of humanitarian agencies and coordinate with Donor Sub-Office when needed to ensure field concerns and challenges are brought to relevant stakeholders. Proactively report protection issues affecting refugees from Syria and Lebanese host population; Participate in coordination meetings with organizations (local and international) when required.    Program Development Contribute to the development of activities in relation to CS and other protection-related activities. Ensure main streaming of community based protection approaches and methodologies within all project components.     Other Specific Duties:   Draft input for the PAT ( INTERSOS monthly reporting tool) on Capacity Building of staff and Mainstreaming Community-Based Protection in INTERSOS programs  on  a monthly basis and send to the Protection Reporting and M&E Officer Provide guidance to staff on drafting of reports such as ECC monthly report and send to Donor ( UNHCR CS) by the 7th of each month Participate with the Protection Manager in all relevant donor meetings and inter-agency working groups