Associate Community Development Officer

Organizational Context

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Programme Infrastructure/Engineering department in Syria seeks an Associate Community Development Officer. This role is based in the Syria Field Office and supports camp improvement projects, focusing on community engagement and social aspects of planning and implementation.

Job Purpose

The Associate Community Development Officer will manage the social dimensions of camp improvement projects, ensuring community needs and feedback are integrated into planning and execution. This involves conducting surveys, facilitating awareness sessions, mobilizing communities, and engaging stakeholders to foster understanding and participation. The role is crucial for effective project implementation, resolving community concerns, and ensuring projects align with refugee needs. The officer will also manage project documentation, support reporting, and coordinate project handovers and grievance mechanisms, contributing to the overall success and impact of UNRWA's infrastructure initiatives in Syria.

Responsibilities

Manage social aspects of camp improvement planning and projects, including data collection through surveys and interviews, and providing technical input on community needs. Conduct awareness sessions, mobilize communities, and engage stakeholders for participatory planning and capacity building. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration with site engineers, the Camp Improvement Team, and stakeholders to ensure project implementation and resolve concerns. Organize and facilitate stakeholder meetings, including managing logistics and communication. Maintain project documentation, enter data into information systems, and support report generation (assessments, grievances, post-occupancy checks). Participate in shelter assessments and facilitate community meetings to gather input, paying special attention to vulnerable groups. Coordinate project handovers to refugees and communities, and manage the grievance process. Monitor project progress, provide support, and prepare eligibility lists for improvement works.

Work Experience

A minimum of 3 years of experience in community engagement, mobilization, or development projects is required. Experience in managing social aspects of infrastructure projects and working with refugee or displaced populations is beneficial.

Skills

Community engagement, community mobilization, stakeholder engagement, participatory planning, data collection, project documentation, report generation, communication, working with people, drive for results, creating and innovating, coping with pressure and setbacks, persuading and influencing. Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is essential.

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