Community Development Officer (For Filipino Nationals Only)

JOB TITLE: Community Development Officer

BASE LOCATION: IRPH Area Office, Iligan City

REPORTING TO: Area Programme Manager

RATIONALE

Islamic Relief Worldwide is a leading international NGO with the goal of creating a caring world for the world’s poor and vulnerable people. Established in 1984, Islamic Relief Worldwide is headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK) and is working in over 30 countries around the world, providing humanitarian aid during emergencies and working for the longer-term development of world’s poorest people.

Islamic Relief Philippines started operations in the Philippines immediately after Typhoon Yolanda struck in November 2013 and has since provided relief and recovery assistance to thousands of disaster survivors in Northern Cebu, Leyte and the Camotes Islands.

Islamic Relief Philippines currently implements development programs in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Marawi City for projects on Peacebuilding, Livelihoods and DRR.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

This position holds responsibility for assisting the high quality and effective delivery of support projects in Marawi City/Lanao del Sur. With the identification and prioritizing of the most vulnerable persons within the communities in which IR is working, Community Development Officer is important and active members of the IR Philippines team.

Reporting directly to Area Program Manage, Community Development Officer will be responsible for conducting range of tasks working very closely with local partners, communities and may have the opportunity to work in several locations within the Philippines in accordance with IR activities, policies, and procedures.

He/she will also be responsible for representing the organisation to beneficiaries, local partners, and on occasion, a range of external actors, including: local/provincial/national governmental authorities, UN agency, peer organizations, national NGOs, and private sector staff.

JOB SUMMARY

The holder of this position will be proactive individual, keen to support the projects. With projects covering multiple sectors, IR Community Development Officer will be required to be flexible in the content of his work and able to take direction to support the priority needs of the host community or partner.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct/assist in assessments and data collection to identify the priority needs in the emergency areas.
• Work according to detailed implementation plans as directed by the Area Program Manager.
• Delivery of a range project tasks to support community interventions.
• Support the monitoring of project activities and assisting with reporting where required.
• Communicate feedback from beneficiaries/communities and other key stakeholders to the Area Manager.
• Be familiar with, and ensure the adherence to, the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Assist the Area Manager in planning and monitoring project budgets where required.
• Facilitate community participation, accountability and monitoring in of projects to assist in the continuous review of implementation activities and recognise additional needs of the affected population.
• Support the development of project activities according to feedback from monitoring and review mechanism.
• Deliver project activities according to weekly/day-to-day direction.
• Responsible to ensure that the project meets the international minimum quality standards and codes of conduct (particularly HAP and Sphere).
• Collaborate closely with IR colleagues to develop a thorough contextual understanding to avoid knowledge and performance gaps.
• Be familiar with the activities of other actors in IR project locations.
• Abide by the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, the People in Aid Code, HAP, and Islamic Relief’s policies and procedures.
• Any other assignment given by supervisor/manager.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Work independently on tasks related to project planning and implementation with periodic reporting and direction from supervisor;
• Make decisions on project implementation and its daily management responsibly based on available resources, skills and knowledge of staff and access to affected communities;
• Ensure implementation of locally appropriate and feasible projects in close consultation with local authorities and communities;
• Proper management of financial resources, equipment and project utilities.
• Work in adherence to IR’s policies and procedures

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

Qualifications

• A graduate of social science course.
• Knowledge of community-based approaches in humanitarian and development settings is desirable.
• Competency with the analysis of contextual information, and developing clear, informed recommendations.
• Knowledge of international standards such as Sphere and HAP is desirable.
• Experience in emergency response operations is desirable but not essential.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in community development.

General Skills

• Willing to adapt to IRW’s norms and values without compromising personal beliefs and principles.
• Excellent communication skills – able to communicate and report effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Willing and able to work long hours as required and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to participatory approaches when working with communities.
• Willing to learn local mechanisms, culture and humanitarian and development issues of the region.
• Able to build productive working relationships, work as part of a team, and support colleagues.
• Communicates honestly, openly, and consistently. Shares information appropriately and ensure that views of all members of the team are freely expressed.
• Encourages a positive rather than negative viewpoint.
• Good numeracy skills with knowledge of local markets and cost estimating are desirable.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build working relationships quickly and to work sensitively with people from various cultural and social backgrounds.
• Able to form recommendations for creative solutions in problem solving.

Languages

• Proficiency in English (Written and spoken) is essential
• Fluency in Cebuano is also essential.

IT Skills

• Good IT skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and Excel is essential.

Disposition

• Should be prepared mentally to do extensive field work and visit other locations within the Philippines.
• Able to work flexible hours when necessary and strive towards task completion.
• Flexible & patient.
• Ability to work on your own initiative as well as a part of a team.
• It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding of humanitarian principles and sympathy with Islamic Relief’s values, as well as a commitment to Islamic Relief’s vision and mission.

Physical

• Energetic and able to operate in situations which may be arduous.

DESIRABLE

Qualification

• Knowledge of international standards such as Sphere, CHS, etc. is desirable.
• Experience in emergency response operations is desirable but not essential.

Disposition/Approach

• Able to work flexible hours when necessary to carry out task completion.
• Flexible & patient.
• Ability to work on his/her initiative and with the team.
• Applicants should be able to show a good understanding of humanitarian principles and sympathy with Islamic Relief’s values, as well as a commitment to Islamic Relief’s vision and mission.
• Strong understanding of the BARMM development and humanitarian contexts and has experience working in BARMM.

Physical

• Energetic and able to operate in situations that may be challenging.

Interests

• Humanitarian relief, development, resiliency, governance, peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction, community development, etc.