Education Community Engagement Officer - Beirut

Organizational Description: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.theIRC.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 25 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

Job Overview / Summary:

The Community Engagement (CE) Officer with a focus on Dirasa Project in Beirut and Mount Lebanon funded by UNICEF under the Multiple Flexible Pathways will be responsible for the delivery and implementation of the Community Engagement component including capacity building and monitoring of Youth Community Mobilizers (YCM) in the assigned locations under Dirasa. S/He will supervise the YCM and will work closely with the Education Senior Officer, Education Manager, YCMs and Monitoring and Evaluation team. The position will be under the supervision of the Education Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

Project Implementation:

• Train, support and monitor YCMs in identifying, assessing, and referring of children to a suitable education program.
• Support in building up the service mapping (identification of NGOs working in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, programs delivered, age group targeted, etc.).
• Develop an outreach plan for Dirasa in Beirut and Mount Lebanon in coordination with, Education Senior Officer and Education Manager.
• Actively engage with local stakeholders to promote the project services.
• Using a participatory approach, support schools (when and where applicable) in developing a Social Behavioral Change (SBC) integrated action plan that provides technical support to all available services at the community centers which aim to:
  • Tackle behavioral and attitudinal barriers to child rights and child participation.
  • Mainstream disability in diverse existing services.
  • Implement SBC initiatives through participatory activities.
• Participate in Out of School Mapping Activities covering non-Lebanese and Lebanese children within the intervention area.
• Support the schools’ staff in Beirut and Mount Lebanon in identifying caregivers to be engaged in the awareness program for parents and in organizing the sessions.
• Support the engagement of caregivers and parents in children’s learning by establishing a Parent Teacher Association in selected schools.
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate parenting training and awareness sessions to the community members and community events.
• Lead on establishing the needed Committee hubs under Dirasa projects.
• Attend and deliver trainings related to the SBC topics and community engagement.
• Regularly report to the initiatives progress, challenges, ways forward.
• Working closely with all the active stakeholders and other Organizations for the benefit of the initiatives.
• Support schools in designing and implementing extra-curricular activities including school clubs, sports activities, and different school/community events.
• Any other task as assigned by the Education team serving the project overall.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Education Manager
• Position directly supervises: Youth Community Mobilizers
• Indirect Reporting: Other Internal and/or external contacts:
  • Internal: different programme sectors
  • External: other NGOs working in education in Beirut and Mount Lebanon

Job Requirements:

• University degree in social science, education, pedagogy, psychology, or related field.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with people, build and maintain relationships with local stakeholders.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in working with local communities on the right of refugee children and youth to education and inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Familiarity with Beirut and Mount Lebanon governorates/localities is a must.
• Familiarity and sensitivity to context in Beirut and Mount Lebanon is a must.
• Facilitation and capacity building experience and skills.
• Experience in working in partnerships is a plus.
• Working experience of minimum 2 years in NGOs and/or INGOs is a must.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is mandatory.
• Autonomy and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility, commitment, work ethics and team spirit.

Travel and other requirements: The position will be based in Beirut, with regular field visits between Beirut and Mount Lebanon governorates.