PROJECT COMMUNICATION OFFICER AND REFERRALS FOCAL POINT

A. ORGANIZATION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND

The World Rehabilitation Fund, Inc. (WRF) is an international humanitarian non-profit organization headquartered in New York with a mission “To enable individuals around the world with functional limitations and participation restrictions achieve community and social integration through physical and socioeconomic rehabilitation and advocacy and to prevent disability and reduce disadvantage”.

In Lebanon, the programs of WRF started in the early 1980s, and continue, to support governmental, civil society, and professional nation-wide and community-based efforts to enhance the prevention of disabilities, and to address the protection, rehabilitation, and inclusion needs of persons with disabilities. This continues through direct provision of assistance services, capacity building of all concerned, development of policies and systems, advocacy, and resource mobilization.

WRF believes that all people, regardless of disability, have the right to participate fully in their communities, to attain education and viable employment.

WRF/Lebanon is implementing a Project titled “Filling Assistance Gaps in Basic Rehabilitation Services for Refugees from Syria with Disabilities and Their Peers in Host Communities in Lebanon”.

B. JOB PURPOSE

The Communication Officer and Referrals Focal Point is to assume the following responsibilities: (i) Develop and upgrade the Project communication strategy and plan and build the communications related capabilities of the Project Team; (ii) lead, coordinate, and assist, as appropriate, in active two-way communication with Project beneficiaries, concerned communities, UNHCR, INGOs, native CSOs, native professional service providers, and other stakeholders. In this context, the Officer will be responsible for the Project’s social media, and for leading and supporting, as appropriate, Project efforts to expand awareness and understanding of health promotion, prevention of disability, and disease prevention particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Officer will also take charge of monitoring, documenting and following up on referrals within the framework of the Project, and coordinate the input of all concerned to advance appropriate and effective referral processes and pathways to the benefit of Project beneficiaries and PWDs in need; with attention to prevention of duplication and exploitation of opportunities and resources, use of effective reporting on ActivityInfo®, and use of RIMS and other referral platforms.

In addition, the Officer will provide support in Project activities aiming at awareness raising and advocacy about Disability and the rights and needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The Officer will report to the Project Operations Director.

C. KEY TASKS:

Assessment and planning:

Conducting desk reviews on available assessments, surveys, and reports on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs); and past and current interventions and programs.
Assisting in developing assistance response plans based on the Project’s set targets, indicators, deliverables, priorities, and selection criteria.
Project Communication, Advocacy, and Awareness:

Developing the Communication Strategy and implementation plan of the Project.
Drafting and ensuring production and dissemination of Project related communication and awareness materials.
Updating WRF website and related materials, on continuous basis.
Producing Project charts, fact sheets, and presentations as needed.
Building and maintaining the database of Project stakeholders.
Keeping abreast of Project related Sectors’ and targeted populations publications and updates and sharing with the Project team and concerned others accordingly.
Collecting and disseminating health promotion and disease prevention awareness material (particularly COVID-19) sources from recognized entities (MOPH, WHO, UNICEF…).
Supporting advocacy and awareness efforts and activities targeting Project beneficiaries, concerned communities, INGOs, native CSOs, native professional service providers, and other stakeholders.
Project Tools and Reporting:

Preparing and supporting the development of targeted, periodic, and as needed, Project reports.
Supporting in identifying and developing lessons learned and success stories.
Ensuring that information on progress, challenges and lessons learned produced by the Project M&E Team are documented and shared proactively, effectively, and appropriately as per Project management directives.
Reporting regularly and as needed on progress, achievements, and challenges.
Supporting in developing/upgrading data collection tools, and in data collection, analysis and reporting.
Providing technical support in implementing and supporting in the development of data collection and processing solutions through data collection platforms such as KOBO Toolbox.
Assisting in drafting Project policies and systems in line with Project requirements.
Project Referrals:

Working with concerned Project staff to develop, communicate, and manage a “Referral Control & Reporting System” and referral guidelines and procedures
Monitoring, documenting and following up on Project referrals.
Providing support in processing internal and external (incoming and outgoing) referrals and expediting referral processes.
Producing quarterly reports for the Inter-Agency Referral Monitoring System.
Updating the Inter-Sector Service Mapping as appropriate and using it as a primary source of information on referral advice.
Leading, coordinating, and supporting, as appropriate, initiatives to join inter-sector referral systems (RIMS, etc.).
Project Implementation:

Liaising and coordinating with the Project partners and stakeholders to foster good working relationships with all concerned.
Carrying out any other duties as requested by the Project management as may be needed and appropriate.