Community Development Facilitator (For Filipino Nationals Only)

About Islamic Relief Worldwide Philippines:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international relief and development organization founded in the UK in 1984 that envisages a caring world where people unite to respond to the suffering of others, empowering them to fulfil their potential. Working in over 45 countries, it promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities to reduce poverty, and challenges on literacy and health and nutrition. IRW also responds to disasters and emergencies, helping people in crisis by providing them immediate relief and recover from the effects of the disaster.

In the Philippines, Islamic Relief started operations in 2013 in response to the needs of the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. We are currently working in Mindanao, particularly in the Bangsamoro region and the rest of the country implementing development projects, humanitarian response, and disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation. We work closely with the most vulnerable people regardless of race, belief, age, gender, and diversity.

About the Project:

The “Individuals are Protected from Threats and Environmental Risks through Shelter and WASH (I-PROTECTS)” projectenvisions a world where all people could lead healthy lives – safe shelter, clean drinking water, clean hands, and clean toilets in all places. These facilities once established include awareness-raising and sensitization sessions on WASH behavior and practices, and guidance on how to ensure the operationalization and maintenance to maximize its utilization for the benefit of the next generation. The project will ensure that people have lasting access to safe shelter, drinking water, proper hygiene facilities, and women and girl-friendly sanitation facilities.

Project Impact:

Improved the social wellbeing, protection and inclusion of the most marginalized families, particularly women and girls in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, Philippines through the construction of dignified shelter and safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

Project Outcomes:

Outcome 1: Enhanced access to safe and gender-sensitive shelter and non-food items for men, women, girls and boys in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Outcome 2: Increased access to safe and gender-sensitive WASH services for women, men, girls and boys in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Outcome 3: Improved inclusive protection services particularly for women and girls in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

This 24-month project will be implemented in the select barangays/communities in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Reporting To: Project Officer for Shelter and WASH

About the position:

The Community Development Facilitator (CDF) will support the Project Officer for the Shelter and WASH in the full implementation of the “Individuals are Protected from Threats and Environmental Risks through Shelter and WASH (I-PROTECTS)” project.The Community Development Facilitator (CDF) shall focus on community mobilization in implementing the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Shelter and protection initiatives of the project.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Community Engagement and Mobilization. Facilitate community meetings, workshops, and focus group discussions to mobilize community members on shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) concerns.
2. Needs Assessment. Conduct participatory assessments to identify WASH, shelter and protection needs, preferences, and priorities within the community.
3. Awareness-Raising and Learning Sessions. Develop and implement awareness campaigns on WASH, shelter and protection-related topics, including the importance of clean water, safe sanitation practices, and adequate shelter.
4. Organize training sessions and workshops to raise the awareness of the community members about protection, proper hygiene practices, sanitation techniques, and shelter construction methods.
5. Facilitate the formation of community committees or groups responsible in overseeing WASH and shelter initiatives and decision-making processes.
6. Coordinate the project implementation activities, ensuring community involvement at every stage, from planning to implementation and monitoring.
7. Establish mechanisms for monitoring progress, collecting feedback, and evaluating the impact of I-PROTECTS project on community health and well-being.
8. Regularly assess project outcomes and adjust strategies to ensure effectiveness and sustainability, as needed.
9. Foster partnership and collaboration with relevant organizations to leverage expertise, resources, and funding opportunities for community-led initiatives.
10. Address any issue or concern within the community related to I-PROTECTS project through dialogue, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques.
11. Promote sustainability by building the capacity of community members to maintain WASH and shelter infrastructure, protection initiatives, manage resources, and advocate for their needs.
12. Support the Project Officer in developing comprehensive project plans outlining objectives, activities, timelines, budget, and resource allocation for the I-PROTECTS interventions.
13. Collect data and feedback from beneficiaries to inform decision-making and improve project effectiveness.
14. Prepare timely and accurate progress reports, technical reports, and other documentation as required by the donors, partners, and internal stakeholders.
15. Support the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team in monitoring and evaluating the project’s progress and organizing and conducting MEAL-related activities such as surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and project reviews and evaluation, including the collection of relevant data and information, as necessary.
16. Willingness to be deployed during humanitarian response and/or undertake any other assignment, as needed.

Educational Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s or master’s degree in community development, social sciences, public health, or a related field.
2. 3-5 years of proven experience in community mobilization, engagement, and empowerment, preferably in WASH and shelter programs.
3. Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
4. Knowledge of participatory methodologies, community-based approaches, and behavior change communication techniques.
5. Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
6. Fluency in local languages spoken in the community and proficiency in English or other relevant languages.
7. Commitment to gender equality, inclusion, and human rights principles in community development interventions.

Required Skills:

Community Mobilization and Engagement: Ability to mobilize and engage community members around WASH and shelter issues through participatory approaches and community organizing techniques.

Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information, facilitate discussions, and build rapport with diverse stakeholders.

Facilitation Skills: Strong facilitation skills to lead community meetings, workshops, and focus groups, encouraging active participation, collaboration, and consensus-building.

Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships, establish trust, and work collaboratively with community members, local leaders, and partner organizations.

Problem-Solving Abilities: Effective problem-solving skills to identify challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions in collaboration with the community.

Project Management Skills: Basic project management skills to assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing WASH and shelter projects, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.

Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity to navigate cultural differences and promote inclusive participation among community members.

Advocacy and Networking: Advocacy skills to raise awareness about protection, WASH and shelter issues, mobilize support, and advocate for policy changes or resource allocation at local and regional levels.

Capacity Building: Ability to facilitate training sessions and workshops to build the capacity of community members in project management, leadership, and advocacy skills.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Basic understanding of monitoring and evaluation concepts to track project progress, collect feedback, and assess the impact of protection, WASH and shelter initiatives.

Conflict Resolution: Conflict resolution skills to address conflicts and disputes within the community related to protection, WASH and shelter issues, fostering dialogue and reconciliation.

Adaptability and Resilience: Adaptability to work in dynamic and challenging environments, demonstrating resilience, flexibility, and a positive attitude in the face of obstacles.

Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a team, collaborating with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to achieve common goals and objectives.

Computer Literacy: Basic computer skills to use productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office suite) for communication, documentation, and data management purposes.

Technical Skills:

1. Knowledge of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and hygiene, and protection initiatives
2. Familiarity with shelter construction techniques, materials, and building codes relevant to the local context, including disaster-resistant and climate-resilient design principles.
3. Understanding of disaster risk reduction principles and strategies to design and implement WASH and shelter interventions that enhance community resilience to natural disasters and emergencies.
4. Knowledge of public health principles and disease transmission pathways to design and implement WASH interventions that contribute to improved community health outcomes.

Required Experiences:

1. Field Experience in Community Development
2. Prior experience working directly with communities in grassroots development projects, preferably in roles related to WASH, shelter and protection interventions.
3. Demonstrated understanding of community dynamics, needs assessment methodologies, and participatory approaches to development.
4. Experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring community-based projects, including WASH, shelter and protection initiatives, from conception to completion.
5. Hands-on experience with WASH infrastructure development, such as water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion activities.
6. Familiarity with shelter construction techniques, including site selection, design considerations, and construction management.
7. Proven ability to mobilize and engage community members in collective action, facilitating community meetings, workshops, and participatory decision-making processes.
8. Experience in building partnerships and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.
9. Track record in conducting training sessions, capacity-building workshops, and awareness campaigns to empower community members with the knowledge and skills needed.
10. Experience in facilitating skill transfer and knowledge exchange among community members, promoting local ownership and leadership in project implementation.
11. Ability to assess project impact, identify lessons learned, and recommend adaptive strategies to enhance project effectiveness and sustainability.
12. Previous involvement in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about WASH, shelter and protection issues, mobilize support from stakeholders, and influence policy changes at the local and regional levels.
13. Experience in networking and building relationships with government officials, donors, civil society organizations, and other relevant actors to advance community development goals.
14. Demonstrated experience of 3-5 years working with various international NGOs, preferably in the Philippines or other developing countries, with a track record of successfully implementing projects in humanitarian contexts.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

How to apply

Interested applicants should send their CV with a cover letter on or before *30 June 2024* to HR.Philippines@islamic-relief.org.ph with email subject or reference: Community Development Facilitator Application.

Islamic Relief Worldwide is a humanitarian and development organization and working in Livelihood, WASH, Education and DRR sectors in line with our vision of a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others. We work regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, or gender.

This position is open for Filipino nationals only, women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Selection will be based on application letter, CV, interview, and other relevant documents (as requested). Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Walk-in applicants and applications sent through Islamic Relief Philippines social media account i.e., Facebook, will not be entertained.

As the position needs to be filled in on an urgent basis, therefore, we may stop receiving applications as soon as there are applicants suitable for the position.