Community Empowerment and Livelihoods Officer

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), DRC apply a regional approach with operational presence in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iraq.   

Present in Iraq since 2003, DRC is today operational in the Kurdish governorates, in and around Baghdad and in several South-Central governorates. Focused both on the influx of Syrian refugees and the current IDP crisis, DRC is providing assistance in a range of sectors including Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Protection, Livelihoods, Emergency Response (including food security, cash, and NFIs), WASH, Shelter and Mine Action. The Iraq programme presently employs some 450 national staff and 45 international staff, and is growing to meet new, emerging needs associated with ongoing and recent conflict in multiple locations.   

 

 

Since 2016, DRC’s has been operating in Salah-al Din Governorate and has expanded significantly in response to the needs of displacement-affected populations in the area. In addition to emergency assistance, DRC will aim to provide longer term support in the form of income generating assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihoods support and social cohesion support. Building on lessons learned from a DRC Community Driven Recovery and Safety (CDRS) Project in Ninewa, DRC will expand similar activities to support the early recovery and stabilization of conflict-affected populations in Salah-al Din through a community driven approach.    

 

• Design and analyze labor and market assessments in target areas with communities including municipalities, community representatives and youth (maintaining gender balance). 
• In coordination with the CDW, lead on focus group discussions with target communities to identify common priorities for a particular area and help to strengthen the capacities of community actors to enable them to address concrete needs and problems in their communities. 
• Identify potential livelihood activities based on market and livelihood assessments (cash for work, life skills development, vocational trainings, and apprenticeship schemes) and ensure their timely implementation.  
• Identify beneficiaries to include in temporary income generation opportunities through Cash for Work via Community Support Projects and support the registration process. 
• Assist CDRS PM and TL in developing, planning and organizing livelihoods trainings/ workshops.  
• Oversee and act as the focal point for all project livelihoods activities as agreed with the CDRS PM and TL and address issues that may arise.  
• Support CDRS PM and TL in building local community capacity to ensure the handover plans and sustainability of projects. 
• Support the establishment of Community Development Committees (CDC), and assist in the development of Community Action Plans (CAP) and facilitate dialogue between local government authorities and community members. 

• Coordinate field visits to ensure the quality of project activities and that targets are being achieved  
• Ensure regular and timely reporting of problems, potential delays or risks to project implementation to the relevant supervisor, and support in the development and execution of solutions and mitigating actions.  
• Ensure full compliance of all actors and partners with DRC Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, HAP and other compulsory regulations.  
• In coordination with the procurement and warehouse department, be responsible for safe storage, inventory and maintenance of livelihoods materials, tools and equipment. 

• Carry out any other relevant duties as directed by the CDRS PM and Head of Field Office 
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the Line Manager; 
• Conduct duties in accordance with DRC’s Programme and Operational handbooks 
• Conduct duties in accordance with DRC Code of Conduct, HAP and other key documents. 

• University education and/or training in a relevant field ( social sciences, political science, international relations or sociology) 
• Fluent in Arabic and an excellent working knowledge of written and spoken English. 
• Experience working in income generating, livelihoods and cash assistance programs 
• Knowledge in designing and rolling out of labor and market assessments  
• Ability to work under pressure and priorities work responsibilities effectively. 
• Committed to being a team player and able to demonstrate constructive, cooperative and problem-solving skills 
• Good communication and negotiation skills; 
• High degree of computer literacy (mainly MS Word and MS Excel). 

• Understanding of broader issues related to community participation, local governance, conflict analysis, safety, gender mainstreaming, and environment.  
• Previous work in community infrastructure rehabilitation and or income generating and livelihoods projects 
• Previous experience an international NGO or UN organization 
• Excellent time management skills and creative thinking; 

• Communication  
• Teamwork Skills  
• Analytical Skills  
• Planning Skills  
• Systematic  
• Initiative (proactive)  
• Result-oriented and Accountability  
• Professionalism