Community Engagement Worker

About the Role

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) operates globally to address the most severe humanitarian crises, assisting affected communities in regaining health, safety, education, economic stability, and empowerment. Founded in 1933, the IRC is one of the largest international humanitarian organizations, active in over 40 countries and across 29 U.S. cities, dedicated to restoring dignity and hope to millions worldwide. We seek passionate problem-solvers ready to make a significant impact in complex emergencies.

Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following the declaration of the 17th Ebola Virus Disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species in Ituri province, the IRC is actively involved in outbreak containment efforts. This includes support in primary healthcare facilities, screening and isolation, infection prevention and control (IPC), community engagement through RCCE activities, and protective interventions. The situation is challenging due to socio-political instability and distrust within affected communities.

Position Summary

Reporting to the RCCE Officer, the Community Engagement Worker will engage directly with target populations daily in assigned zones by answering their questions, addressing comments, and facilitating two-way communication effectively and respectfully. The role demands accurate, confidential, person-centered communication and coordination with the RCCE team to track trends, escalate protection concerns appropriately, and support infection prevention and control protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain active presence at community information points or via other communication methods, equipped with all necessary documentation including IEC materials, service maps, and bidirectional communication data forms.
• Engage with community groups through structured conversations, responding to inquiries by leveraging expert guidance and frontline communication protocols.
• Disseminate timely, clear, and accessible information about available services and assistance, facilitating community access and promoting official feedback mechanisms for humanitarian response.
• Collaborate closely with the RCCE team to formulate detailed and well-documented responses to community questions.
• Adhere consistently to frontline communication standards to ensure safe, effective engagement and appropriate escalation of urgent protection issues, while safeguarding confidentiality and respecting a client-centered approach.
• Participate in ongoing training sessions to stay updated with current information.
• Identify information gaps within target audiences to guide future content development.
• Monitor bidirectional communication per guidelines to evaluate engagement effectiveness.
• Provide daily communication analysis reports including question responses, communication trends, and information deficits, in coordination with the RCCE Officer, translating as necessary into local languages.
• Share cultural insights, community feedback, and contextual awareness openly with the broader team.
• Keep informed of local public events and disseminate relevant information to the community as needed.
• Develop and preserve effective working relationships with key emergency response stakeholders to ensure active coordination and information exchange.
• Participate in updating the community services map collaboratively with partners and stakeholders following internal protocols.

Team Collaboration

• Directly report to the RCCE Officer.
• Coordinate with RCCE, Protection, Health, MEAL, and other relevant sectors to ensure accurate information flows and address community inquiries across project platforms.
• Utilize various communication tools to regularly update team members.
• Engage in all team meetings, strategy workshops, and communication sessions.

Protection and IPC Integration

• Support and actively abide by IPC measures as defined by health teams.
• Uphold protection and integration principles consistently.
• Promote adherence to the IRC’s code of conduct and key principles.
• Work collaboratively with protection and health staff to facilitate safe referrals to services.

Additional Duties

• Maintain professional conduct to uphold IRC’s image and mission.
• If needed, provide translation and interpretation for meetings, training, and documents to support expatriate staff comprehension.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by supervisors to ensure program effectiveness.

Candidate Requirements

• Residency in Ituri province, with focus on targeted localities.
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience, preferably in implementing humanitarian protection or health programs.
• Strong communication skills and community engagement expertise.
• Commitment to accuracy in information and sound judgment in responding.
• Understanding of language nuances and ability to apply communication guidelines in writing.
• Ability to build trust and relationships within new communities.
• Experience in inclusive communication and provision of reasonable accommodations.
• Application of core principles including non-discrimination, client-centered approaches, do-no-harm, safety, and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of various communication channels.
• Proficient oral and written communication in local languages.
• Ability to work collaboratively in diverse and sensitive environments.
• Capability to function independently with remote supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Effective stress and ambiguity management with calmness and positivity.
• Organizational abilities and commitment to deadlines.
• Interest in refugee and humanitarian issues.
• Integrity and good judgment in sharing information.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in protection-focused work and an advantage if familiar with health sector roles.
• Competence in psychological first aid.
• History of humanitarian organization involvement.
• Capability in producing vital and informative content for crisis-affected populations.
• Knowledge of local issues and available services in Ituri.
• Some experience in report writing.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Professional Standards

All IRC employees are expected to uphold the highest professional standards as defined by the IRC Way, which emphasizes Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability. Compliance with policies relating to Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, Reporting Wrongdoing, and Protection from Retaliation is mandatory. IRC fosters an environment promoting safety, critical reflection, power sharing, and open debate to deliver optimal services to clients.