Client & Community Engagement Program Officer

Job Description

Job Overview

The Client & Community Engagement Program Officer will support IRC efforts in the Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) department to operationalize the network’s aspirations around community engagement. This role will particularly focus on client responsiveness and voice.

IRC believes that designing our strategies and programs based on clients’ particular needs and preferences is one of the most critical drivers of impact. We also believe that we have a role to play in working with clients so that they can engage as an equal, influential partner both with IRC and in the broader community. Strengthening client voice in all aspects of our work and increasing accountability to clients is an IRC priority. The Client and Community Engagement Program Officer will play a key role in supporting staff in RAI program offices managing and leading client voice initiatives at the local level, including but not limited to client and community groups such as advisory bodies, participatory design processes, and Refugee Voices programming. This will involve sharing best practices; crafting and deploying tools; and providing technical assistance and training to RAI local program office staff. The Officer may also support with efforts to help offices build partnerships across the community.

Major Responsibilities

· Monitor and analyze reporting from office client and community engagement activities

· Draft and disseminate resources and guidance based on best and promising practices established in RAI program offices, including through pilot initiatives, and available external evidence, including but not limited to:

· Client engagement models (client advisory bodies, participation design processes, etc.)

· Client participation in Strategic Action Plan (SAP) development and implementation

· External influencing trainings and opportunities for clients and community members

· Incorporating client engagement and feedback into grant proposals and programmatic decisions

· Assist with ongoing training and support of dedicated program office client and community engagement staff, as well as roles with these functions

· Collaborate closely with the HQ Research, Analysis, and Learning (RAL) team to develop and test:

· Culturally relevant and Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI)-informed data collection tools and methods

· Develop GEDI-informed best practices guidance for client sampling for feedback, with support from RAL

· Provide guidance on incorporating client feedback indicators and processes into M&E plans

· Methods for reporting back to clients how their feedback was used

· Strategies for engaging with partners on gathering and/or using client feedback data

· Collaborate with the Resource, Acquisition and Management (RAM) team and others on strategies to engage with donors to influence how programs can be shaped by client influence

· Assist in the management of the Refugee Voices program, including:

· Refugee Voices Advisory Committee coordination

· Supporting local RAI office staff engaged in Refugee Voices activities with training and engagement opportunities

· Manage national coordination, including

· Preparation of national engagement opportunities (trainings and events)

· Liaising with other IRC HQ teams

· Participant recruitment, as applicable

· Internal communication support (Rescuenet content, updates, etc.)

· Assist with ongoing strategic planning and workplan implementation

· Ensure alignment of client and community engagement programming with the RAI GEDI framework.

· Other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications:

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree required

Work Experience:

· Minimum three years’ work experience in relevant roles

· Experience in client feedback, community engagement or organizing, and/or external affairs

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

· Gathering and using client and/or community feedback

· Exposure to monitoring and evaluation activities

· Building relationships with partners

· Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment, within and across departments/functions, managing multiple priorities and develop positive relationships with locally and remote based staff

· Meets deadlines successfully under tight timeframes and within a dynamic and evolving setting

· Strong interpersonal skills

· Excellent oral and written communication skills

· Experience working with refugees, immigrants, or migrants

· Experience in international contexts and other languages than English preferred

· Demonstrates high level Microsoft Office skills

· Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Working Environment:

Standard office environment that provides/requires some flexibility to participate in meetings or calls outside of regular working hours when needed.

Occasional travel to other IRC locations required.

All are invited to apply but we particularly welcome applicants who bring lived experience of forced migration to the role.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Qualifications