Senior Communications with Communities Assistant

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Description

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Operational Context: 

Iraq is currently at a turning point, leaving behind the effects of three decades of political turmoil and armed conflicts that deeply impacted its people and public service delivery. Since the end of large-scale military operations in 2017, Iraq is experiencing relative stability and advancing towards sustainable development, through expanding its fiscal space due to increased oil revenues. Despite this, the country still faces protracted humanitarian and development needs, a volatile security situation, and fragile economy.

The country generously hosts over 327,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, 90% of whom are Syrian and live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). Over 70% of refugees live in urban areas while 30% reside in nine refugee camps in the KR-I. Refugees in Iraq have limited prospects for return in the immediate future given insecurity and ongoing human rights and humanitarian law violations, including in North-East Syria where most originate from. The protection environment in Iraq is relatively favourable for refugees and asylum-seekers, particularly in the KR-I where refugees and asylum-seekers access public services, such as healthcare and education on par with nationals, and pursue livelihood opportunities mainly in the informal sector. Nonetheless, Iraq continues to lack a comprehensive legal framework governing the status and protection of refugees in line with international standards and best practices.

Iraq also has over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). While the majority live in private accommodation in urban settings or informal settlements, some 115,000 live in 21 IDP camps in the KR-I.  The protracted displacement of IDPs is linked to various factors unique to each displaced individual/family given their profile, their socio-economic status, as well as the situation in their areas of origin. In early 2024, the Government of Iraq announced its intent to close the remaining IDPs camps in the KR-I. While many IDPs hope to return to their homes at some point, many may be unable or unwilling to do so because of their specific profiles or the situation in their areas of origin. As a general principle and in line with the global out-of-camp policies, UNHCR supports closure of camps as long as all three recognized solutions are made available to IDPs on a voluntary and well-informed basis. In summary, from 2025 onwards, the needs of IDPs and IDP returnees in Iraq will be addressed more effectively through sustainable development approaches.

In view of this, UNHCR and partners transitioned from a humanitarian response to a development-focused approach. In UNHCR’s new multi-year strategy 2025-2029, UNHCR envisions that forcibly displaced populations and stateless persons in Iraq are better protected and have full inclusive access to quality basic and protection services as well as economic opportunities on par with nationals provided by the Government of Iraq.

General Background 

(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

 The Senior Communication with Communities (CwC) Assistant is a member of the Coordination team in Erbil and will report to the Protection Officer overseeing the Communication with Communities country wide thematic portfolio. S/he would be responsible for supporting all CwC activities in country, working closely with all offices and units across the operation in Iraq, and in particular with her/his protection counterparts. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)

• The incumbent will work in close coordination with the Assoc. Communication with Communities Officer in supporting the formulation of a clear and coherent CwC Strategy, aligned to the overall Community-Based Protection objectives and incorporate a thorough age, gender and diversity (AGD) analysis reflecting the operation’s and organization’s global and country-level priorities.
• She/he support the development of communication material for Refugees, IDPs, host communities and other persons of concern, with a focus on services provision and feedback mechanisms to UNHCR.
• S/he will ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concern are reflected in the CwC, Community-Based and overall Protection strategies, planning processes and operations plan; ensuring the reflection of specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.
• In collaboration with the field offices and informed by participatory processes support the rollout of expanded feedback and response mechanisms. S/he will support the monitoring of UNHCR complaints and feedback mechanisms, including the management of all relevant data tools and platforms.
• S/he will support UNHCR’s CwC activities through participation in field-level coordination meetings, monitor and assess the impact of the CwC activities and support the drafting of monitoring reports. S/he will support the follow-up of CwC needs and trends as identified by assessments and reports from partners, coordination actors and other agencies.
• Moreover s/he will attend relevant coordination meetings to ensure representation of UNHCR in Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Communication with Communities (CwC) for both IDP and refugee activities.
• S/he will support in the administration of all CwC online and offline tools.
• S/he will facilitate interpretation and provide written translation as necessary.

Qualifications and Experience

Education 

• Required: High school 

Work Experience 

• Essential: For G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
• Desirable: Experience working in forced displacement contexts and engaging with communities. Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles and established international protection standards. Experience of working on advocacy campaigns.  Experience in reporting, writing, and editing content for public information use. Familiarity with graphic design software. 

Language Requirements 

• Fluent in Kurdish, English – written and spoken languages. Arabic (written and spoken) is an asset.

Source: https://unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Erbil-Iraq/Senior-Communications-with-Communities-Assistant_JR2449307

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