Outreach Volunteer Officer

Outreach Volunteer Officer                 NGO Presentation The IRC, Internews, and Free Press Unlimited have formed a communications consortium to promote better communications with Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities. As the lead, the IRC is hiring this position.   The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization which responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives, currently at work in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities. The IRC has been responding to the Syria crisis since it began in 2011, helping the thousands of people crossing Syria’s borders every day, as well as those trapped by the violence inside the country. To date, the IRC has provided support, directly or indirectly, to 1.9 million people affected by the Syrian conflict. In Lebanon, the IRC has been implementing programming since 2012; this work includes protection and information dissemination projects in Akkar, Mount Lebanon, and Tripoli and surrounding districts.                 Mission Context Nearly three years of violence in Syria have resulted in a complex humanitarian disaster. An estimated 2.3 million refugees, women, men and children have already fled their homes to seek asylum in neighboring countries, and the violence shows no signs of abating. Their needs are immense, and exceed safety and security, food, medicine, and shelter. Poor access to information is making a desperate situation even worse, and hampering and already-overstretched humanitarian effort. Syrians who have fled the fighting are dispersed throughout the region: while many reside in camps, most are scattered in informal tent settlements or in cities and towns. The great majority lack access to communication channels that can tell them what they need to know about how to get aid, or to raise their own concerns. This means that for the international community, even talking to refugees is a challenge that makes it harder to provide basic services, hear feedback on community needs and support them in what will be a prolonged displacement. While some organisations including UNHCR are implementing or initiating efforts to deal with this need significant gaps remain, particularly at the local level. Lebanon, with a national population of 4 million people, hosts an estimated 1.2 million Syrian refugees (both registered and unregistered). The Lebanese government, while continuing to keep its borders open, lacks the resources to meet the increased demand on social services. In many locations, the strain is increasing tensions with local Lebanese. Solutions for refugees and host communities are urgently needed – but without robust communication channels, it’s impossible to tell people what options exist or to hear their own suggestions on how to solve problems. Better information and communication is essential for a more effective humanitarian effort.                 Accountabilities This position is for an initial pilot phase of six weeks, in Akkar in Lebanon’s north. Following the experiences gained through that pilot program, IRC and other consortium members intend to deepen and expand project initiatives into other areas. The position reports to the IRC Interim Project Director.   The Outreach Volunteer Officer will:   Help identify face-to-face outreach teams with outstanding performance in local community areas. A total of 10 outreach teams will be identified. Co-design and organise training to improve communications skills of outreach teams in their community engagement Coordinate with key staff, including IRC’s Humanitarian Liaison Office, and Community Journalist Trainer, to ensure extra communication resources reach outreach teams and meet their needs Organise local communication events such as community screenings and dialogue forums Maintain relationships with local communication focal points in Akkar, including community centres, key local NGOs, and others Ensure compliance with Monitoring and Evaluation plan to capture lessons and apply them to future expansion Contribute to strategy for further program development.                   Candidate Requirements Knowledge Awareness of community based outreach approaches Awareness of vulnerability and protection definitions and principles Communications background preferable   Skills   Good interpersonal communication and coordination skills Familiarity with common online tools and social media platforms   Personal Qualities   Positive and pro-active team player Ability to organise across a range of tasks and locations Flexibility and motivation Able to work in cross-cultural environments Ability to maintain positive and pro-active communication with a range of stakeholders and individuals Ability to travel to or reside in the Akkar region   Experience   Community-based project approach LNGO / INGO experience an advantage