Senior Project Associate (Community Engagement)
Organizational Context
The KODRO project aims to strengthen communities and resilience in the Central African Republic, in close collaboration with the government. The Senior Project Associate (Community Engagement) will work under the general supervision of Field Coordinators and direct supervision of the National Community Engagement Officer. This role is field-based, focusing on implementing community engagement and social cohesion activities.
Job Purpose
The Senior Project Associate (Community Engagement) is responsible for the on-the-ground implementation of community engagement and social cohesion activities within targeted communities. This role involves close interaction with community members, facilitating local activities, mobilizing participation, and maintaining daily liaison with community leaders and structures. A key function is to relay feedback from the field to ensure project implementation is aligned with local priorities and conflict-sensitive. The position contributes to strengthening community resilience and fostering social cohesion through direct engagement and support for local initiatives, ensuring activities are responsive to community needs and dynamics.
Responsibilities
Organize and facilitate community meetings, consultations, focus groups, and awareness-raising activities. Mobilize community members, including women, youth, displaced persons, and vulnerable groups, to ensure active participation. Support the practical implementation of community engagement and social cohesion activities, such as dialogues and events. Assist in participatory community planning and action plan formulation, and monitor their local implementation. Liaise daily with community leaders, local committees, and authorities to facilitate activity implementation. Identify and track beneficiaries and participants, maintaining attendance records. Collect community feedback, concerns, and suggestions, relaying them to the supervisor for adaptive implementation. Support community feedback mechanisms and direct individuals to appropriate services. Observe and report social tensions and conflict dynamics to the supervisor. Coordinate the logistics for field activities, including participant mobilization and site preparation. Collect field data and contribute to periodic activity reports. Participate in local coordination meetings and travel frequently to project sites within the area of responsibility.
Work Experience
Direct work experience with communities, preferably in community engagement, social mobilization, social cohesion, or awareness-raising activities. Experience facilitating community meetings, participatory consultations, and local activities. Familiarity with the social, cultural, and community context of the assignment area. Experience working with local authorities, community leaders, and civil society organizations is advantageous. Experience with international organizations, NGOs, or government institutions is a plus.
Skills
Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills with communities. Knowledge of participatory and community mobilization approaches. Conflict, gender, and inclusion sensitivity. Ability to work in challenging field conditions with frequent travel. Good organizational and basic data collection skills. Proficiency in MS Office suite. Fluency in French (oral and written) is required. Practical knowledge of English, Sango, and local languages is an asset.