Community Engagement
Senior Officer
United Nations
Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
Job Description
Duty Station: Karachi - Pakistan
Application Deadline: 19-Dec-2021
Qualified female
candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Background Information -
UNOPS
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting
the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and
development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build
better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement,
project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us
UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse
and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative,
results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity
With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000
personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our
workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a
balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and
address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender
balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of
qualified female candidates.
Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of
balancing professional and personal demands.
Background Information -
Pakistan
UNOPS Pakistan (Project Office) is part of the Bangladesh Multi
Country Office in the Asia Region. UNOPS commenced operations in Pakistan in
1999 and significantly up-scaled activities from 2005 onwards to support
populations affected by and vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2010, UNOPS opened a
permanent office in Islamabad to support the Government of Pakistan and other
partners to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction services, following the
most devastating flood in the nation’s history.
UNOPS Pakistan has been implementing projects in the areas of
early recovery and reconstruction of community infrastructure, project
management, monitoring and evaluation, community development, fund management,
human resources management, procurement and infrastructure design and
implementation.
Supported strategically by a regional operational hub and UNOPS
headquarters in Copenhagen and within the overarching framework of the ONE UN
Programme, UNOPS Pakistan continues to deliver projects across the country
under its core delivery practices of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable
procurement, and sustainable project management.
With a steady growth of the project portfolio in recent years
and a new strategic direction, UUNOPS in Pakistan is currently implementing
projects in the following thematic areas: Green and Clean energy; Rule of Law;
Health Procurement; and HR services.
Background Information -
Job-specific
The WASH KP and Sindh
project
Funded by USAID, the project “Improved Access to Water and
Sanitation Services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh” was initiated in September
2021. The project aims at improving access to clean and safe water, hygiene and
sanitation and increasing the resilience of communities affected by floods in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces. It is expected to last 5 years, until
December 2026.
The project is articulated around three main components:
- Improve
quality and reach of water supply services and increase access to
community and household sanitation (Infrastructure);
- Provide
more effective, gender-responsive and transparent WASH services through
enhanced capacity of government and communities (Capacity Building);
- Reduce
waterborne diseases and improve resilience of communities through improved
community and household hygiene practices (Behavioral Change).
The project will start with a participatory needs assessment
phase in coordination with all its stakeholders in view of identifying
priorities and precising the specific outputs under each of the three
components of the project.
Among the first positions to be hired, a Community Engagement
Senior Officer, based in Karachi with
frequent travels to Peshawar, will be part of the backbone of the new project
team.
Functional
Responsibilities
Functions / Key Results
Expected
Under the supervision of the Project Manager or her/his Deputy,
the Community Engagement Senior Officer will perform the following
tasks:
- Liaison
with communities, community-based organizations and NGOs;
- Participative
analysis of communities WASH needs, issues and priorities;
- Participative
design and planning of WASH interventions with communities;
- Development
of community engagement plans;
- Procurement
of community engagement services;
- Implementation
of community engagement interventions;
- Monitoring
and reporting on project’s community engagement components;
- Grievance
redressal mechanism setup and management;
- Personnel
management.
The Community Engagement Senior Officer is moreover expected to
actively promote gender equality across all her/his tasks.
1. Liaison with
communities, community-based organizations and NGOs
- Under
the guidance of the PM/DPM and WASH Specialist, identify and coordinate
contacts with communities, community-based organisations (CBOs) and
national and international NGOs active in water supply, sanitation and
solid waste management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.
2. Participative analysis
of communities WASH needs, issues and priorities
- Conduct
in-depth analyses of the communities practices, dynamics, needs, issues
and priorities related to water supply, sanitation and solid waste management,
using observatory and participatory methods (interviews, questionnaires,
workshops, etc.), with a distinct focus on the practices, dynamics, needs,
issues and priorities of women and girls, as well as those of vulnerable
groups (refugees, people with disabilities, children and elderly,
religious/etnic minorities, etc.).
- Map
existing/potential stakeholders supporting those communities and review
their activities.
- Draft
structured, concise and comprehensive reports on findings.
3. Participative design
and planning of WASH interventions with communities
- Involve
the communities in the conception and planning of the interventions aiming
at improving their access to qualitative water supply, sanitation and
solid waste management services, as well as their hygiene practices, with
a distinct focus on the involvement of women and girls and vulnerable
groups.
- Ensure
that participatory methods are used and that all community members can
express their views.
- Facilitate
arbitrations between needs, issues and priorities of different community
members and groups and foster consensus on the interventions.
- Under
the guidance and with the support of the PM/DPM and WASH Specialist,
coordinate with the teams in charge of the Infrastructure and of the
Capacity Building components of the project in order to include the
practices, dynamics, needs, issues and priorities of the beneficiary
communities in the interventions planned (construction/renovation of water
supply, sanitation and solid waste management infrastructures, improvement
in the services, etc.).
- Ensure
that the views of the communities are correctly reflected in all the
interventions, including the views of women and girls and those of the
vulnerable groups.
- Facilitate
direct exchanges between the communities and the teams in charge of the
Infrastructure and Capacity Building components of the project when
required.
4. Development of
community engagement plans
- Research
(inter)national best practices and success stories in similar contexts.
- In
close coordination with the PM/DPM and the WASH Specialist, develop plans
to engage the communities in:
i. The resolution of the needs, issues and priorities
identified;
ii. The improvement of the hygiene practices (e.g. community-led
total sanitation);
iii. The development of resilience to water supply, sanitation
and solid waste management issues;
iv. The active participation in the implementation of project
interventions (e.g.
voluntary/remunerated work; construction of
low-tech water treatment/ sanitation/solid waste management
solutions; etc.).
v. The active participation in the operation and maintenance of
the infrastructures and systems implemented in order to ensure
their long-term sustainability (e.g. community-managed water supply schemes, revenue generation schemes to ensure maintenance, etc.).
- Ensure
that women and girls and vulnerable groups are adequately taken into
account in those plans to guarantee their representation and
participation.
- Detail
the methodology, timeframe, best channels and resources required to
implement those plans.
- Under
the guidance of the PM/DPM and the WASH Specialist, develop community
engagement material ((on-the-job) trainings, workshops, etc.), using
participative and engaging methods tailored to the target audiences.
- Develop
measurement and evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of the
community engagement activities.
5. Procurement of
community engagement services
- Participate
in the preparation of tender documents for the provision of community
engagement services; advising the PM and other team members on the best
selection criteria and drafting documents in UNOPS e-sourcing procurement
system.
- Participate
in the related tender processes (conduct pre-bid meetings, provide
clarifications to bidders, participate in bids opening, etc.), always
acting in compliance with the provisions of the Procurement Manual.
- Participate
in the evaluation of the related bids (conduct detailed and substantiated
evaluations, verify and assess the references submitted by the bidders,
etc.), always acting in full compliance with the provision of the
Procurement Manual.
6. Implementation of
community engagement interventions
- Conduct
training of trainers courses to prepare the third-party community
engagement services providers (NGOs, social enterprises, etc.) to deliver
the interventions.
- Organise,
schedule and coordinate the implementation of the community engagement
interventions by the third-party services providers.
- Whenever
required, directly implement key elements of the community engagement
interventions.
7. Monitoring and
reporting on project’s community engagement components
- Monitor
the effectiveness of the community engagement activities and suggest
adjustments of methodology and material based on the lessons learned from
current practices.
- Conduct
pre- and post-programme assessments to measure the involvement of the
communities in the improvement of their access to qualitative water
supply, sanitation and solid waste management services as well as their
hygiene practices; and the effectiveness of the community engagement
interventions. Report the data collected in a dashboard (with ICT support
as required).
- Report
timely and accurately on the progress of all the community engagement
components of the project, with a focus on impact, quality, risks &
issues, and lessons learned.
8. Grievance redressal
mechanism setup and management
- Set
up a system of grievance redressal mechanism allowing all stakeholders of
the project (starting with the members of the beneficiary communities) to
voice concerns, complaints and/or recommendations about any aspect of the
project (quality; health and safety; behaviour and integrity of UNOPS,
partners and government staff; gender mainstreaming; etc.) across all
three components of the project (infrastructure, capacity building, and
community engagement), and the project team to address, resolve and learn
from those concerns, complaints and/or recommendations in a systematic
way.
- Manage
the grievance redressal mechanism (ensure that concerns, complaints and
recommendations are systematically recorded, classified and directed to
the relevant colleagues for analysis and resolution, ensure that the
PM/DPM are informed immediately about any serious grievance). Analyze the
types of grievances received and inform the PM/DPM and WASH Specialist
about trends.
9. Personnel
management
- Lead
and motivate supervisees (Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant, Project
Management Support Associate) and act as a role-model.
- Ensure
that behavioural expectations of supervisees are established.
- Set
performance objectives with supervisees and conduct performance reviews
fairly, accurately and timely.
- Guide,
mentor and coach supervisees through frequent exchanges, identify and
nurture talents.
- Monitor
safety and security of supervisees (in particular those working in the
field) and comply with UNDSS standards at all times.
Impact of Results
The Community Engagement Senior Officer directly impacts the
success of the community engagement components of the project by ensuring a
close liaison with the communities, community-based organisations and NGOs; the
quality, accuracy and inclusive nature of the analysis of the communities WASH
needs, issues and priorities; the participatory and inclusive nature of all
WASH interventions; the soundness of the community engagement plans developed;
best value for money in the procurement of third-party community engagement
services; passion and persistence in the implementation of community engagement
interventions; accuracy and critical thinking in the monitoring and reporting;
a beneficiary-centric, transparent and experience-based approach to the thanks
to the setup and management of an effective grievance redressal mechanism; and
leadership and motivation of the community engagement team.
Competencies
- Integrity & Inclusion: Treats all individuals with
respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do
the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high
standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
- Leading Self & Others: Acts as a positive role model
contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development
of others.Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and
inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
- Partnering: Demonstrates understanding of the
impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary
first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a
competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
- Result Orientation: Efficiently establishes an
appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal.
Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in
all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them.
Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our
beneficiaries.
- Agility: Open to change and flexible in a
fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing
circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own
behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues
continuous improvements.
- Solution Focused: Evaluates data and courses of
action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational
approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to
problem-solving.
- Effective Communication: Expresses ideas or facts in a
clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration
for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively
shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences
of opinion and finding common ground.
Education/Experience/Language
requirements
Education:
- Master
Degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender
Studies, Development Studies, Public Health or equivalent.
- Bachelor
Degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender
Studies, Development Studies, Public Health or equivalent plus 2
additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a Master Degree.
Experience:
- Minimum
2 years of relevant experience in community engagement.
- Experience
in gender and development is an asset.
- Experience
with UN agencies, NGOs or governmental agencies active in water supply,
sanitation and/or solid waste management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Sindh
province is an asset.
Language Requirements:
- Full
professional knowledge of English is essential
- Fluency
in Urdu and one or more Pakistan regional languages (in particular Pashto
or Sindhi) is an advantage.
Contract type, level and
duration
- Contract type: Individual Contract Agreement
Agreement (ICA)
- Contract level: Local ICA Specialist (L-ICA
9)
- Contract duration: Ongoing subject to satisfactory
performance, continued relevance of the role to the project and funding
availability
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please
follow this link:
Additional Considerations
- Please
note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
- Applications
received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only
those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are
strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS
seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon
request.
- Work life harmonization - UNOPS
values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional
and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life
harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy
applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
- For
staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a
lower level than the advertised level of the post
- For
retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4
hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
- The
incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative
instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System
and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to
conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in
UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Mobility:
The position will be based
in Karachi with frequent travels to Peshawar and occasional travels to
Islamabad. Candidates are also expected to travel regularly across Sindh and
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces for extended field trips.
Cover Letter:
Applicants are required to
submit a Cover Letter with their applications. Applications without Cover
Letter shall be discarded.
Gender
mainstreaming:
In line with UNOPS’ global
gender parity strategy, female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
Job
Details
Industry: N.G.O./Social Services
Total Positions: 1 Post
Job Shift: First Shift (Day)
Job Type: Full Time/Permanent
Department: UNOPS
Job Location: Karachi, Pakistan
Gender: No Preference
Minimum Education: Master
Minimum Experience: 2 Years
Apply Before: Jan 03, 2022
Posting Date: Dec 02, 2021
