Community Engagement Worker (CEW)

WDIO Background:

Watan Development and Initiative Organization is a non-governmental, nonprofit, non-political, and independent organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting communities through sustainable development, social justice, and enhancing well-being for individuals and families. Since its establishment in 2014, we have tirelessly worked towards poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, education and skill development, health and well-being, gender equality, women's empowerment, agriculture and livestock, and environmental sustainability. Our goal is to improve living conditions, provide quality education and essential skills to individuals, enhance community health and well-being, achieve gender equality, improve agricultural productivity, and promote environmental sustainability.

With a passionate team of over seven hundred individuals and a strong network of partners and supporters, we strive to bring about positive change by preserving and celebrating cultural diversity and heritage, fostering social cohesion, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect. We ensure program effectiveness and accountability through continuous monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven approaches. Our commitment to integrity, sustainability, accountability, innovation, empowerment, advocacy, and respect for diversity guides our efforts as we address pressing challenges such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, environmental conservation, women's empowerment, child welfare, and sustainable development.

Through innovative programs, advocacy efforts, and community engagement, Watan Development and Initiative Organization is at the forefront of driving sustainable solutions and empowering individuals to create a better future.

WDIO is nationally based in Kabul and maintains field operations through five regional offices, with over seven hundred staff members, located in Kabul, Bamiyan & Logar (Center-Region), Ghor & Herat (West-Region), Nangarhar, Laghman & Kunar (East-region), Takhar & Badakhshan (North-Region), and Kandahar (South-Region).

Our Value:

WDIO is committed to applying a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by its personnel. In 2003, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a Bulletin on “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse” (ST/SGB/2003/13) (“the Bulletin”). To support the system-wide implementation of the zero-tolerance policy, the Director-General has decided to adopt the standards of conduct and provisions on PSEA set by the Bulletin, adjusted as necessary, to be applied by WDIO personnel, as follows.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Global Partnership for Education – System Transformation Grant (GPE-STG) is a 33-month education programme implemented in Afghanistan through a consortium of international and national organizations. Save the Children, in partnership with HHOA, OCCD, SGOA, SODC, TEO, and WDIO, is implementing the programme across Kabul, Kunar, Nangarhar, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, and Kunduz provinces. The programme focuses on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), Community-Based Schools (CBS), and Catch-up and Remedial Classes to improve equitable access to quality and inclusive education.

The Community Engagement Worker (CEW) will support community engagement and empowerment to ensure that project activities are well understood, accepted, and accessible to target communities and beneficiaries. Working closely with the local implementing partner and under the technical guidance of Save the Children's Safeguarding Department, the CEW will promote safeguarding awareness, accountability to affected populations (AAP), meaningful community participation, and effective two-way communication between communities and the project team.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Community Empowerment and Engagement

•    Organize and support community mobilization and awareness activities in targeted communities

·       Engage parents, caregivers, elders, religious leaders, SMSs, and other community stakeholders on preventing risk of harm to children.

·       Promote child participation in CBS, ECCD, Remedial Classes, and GLLITA interventions.

·       Conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members (including women, men, and youth) to gather qualitative feedback and community perspectives and empower community how to protect children from intentional and unintentional risk of harm.

·       Facilitate community feedback sessions to ensure two-way communication between communities, local partners.

·       Conduct child-friendly participatory well-being exercises, role play, group discussion to strengthen understanding of education, safeguarding, and child protection messages

·       Support inclusive engagement of vulnerable groups, including girls, children with disabilities, and out-of-school children.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

·       Raise and promote awareness of safeguarding, child protection, and PSEAH principles in communities.

·       Ensure harmonized reporting channels are fully functional, accessible to children, community, parents and they understand how to share feedback and report any concern.

·       Collect and document community feedback, concerns, and suggestions, and share feedback with relevant teams and follow up where required.

·       Conduct regular visits to CBS, ECCD, Catch-Up & Remedial Classes, and GLLITA sites.

·       Identify barriers affecting access, participation, and retention of learners.

·       Work closely with Safeguarding, Programme, Education, MEAL teams, and local partners.

·       Prepare weekly and monthly activity reports, and share with SCI & IPs

Maintain regular coordination with designated local partner focal points in line with agreed SCI–partner communication procedures.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) Accountability:

·       Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving, and role modelling Save the Children values

·       Holds the team performance accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

·       Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development, and encourages their team to do the same

·       Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

·       Future-oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

·       Builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, members, and external partners and supporters

·       Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

·       Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

·       Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

·       Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS

§  Minimum High School graduate (bachelor’s degree preferred but not required).

Must be a resident of the assigned province, preferably from the target community or district, with a good understanding of the local context, culture, language(s), and community dynamics.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

§  Previous experience in community mobilization or community-based work, education programming

§  Ability to engage effectively with communities and stakeholders.

§  Basic reporting and documentation skills.

§  Understanding of local context and cultural sensitivity.

§  Strong communication skills in local languages (both oral and written) in local languages, people skills for conflict resolution and negotiation.

Desirable:

§  Experience in education, child protection, or humanitarian programmes.

Familiarity with safeguarding or accountability mechanisms.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities outlined are not exhaustive and may be adjusted according to programme needs and operational context.

Equal Opportunities

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from women.

Child Safeguarding:

Save the Children is committed to keeping children safe. All staff are required to comply with the Child Safeguarding, PSEAH & Anti-Harassment Policy, and Code of Conduct. Any safeguarding concern must be reported immediately through established SCI reporting channels.

Health and Safety

The role holder must comply with Save the Children Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times.

please click on provided link for online submition:

https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/single/Xgfx9pqo