Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist person on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria m 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractives and governance, and peace building programming.
Job Title: Community Liaison Assistant
Job Reference Code: CLT12320
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Department: Emergency Programs
Position Band: 3
Reports To: Community Liaison Officer
Project Background
NE Nigeria has been severely affected by insurgency led by armed opposition groups (AOGs) since 2009 and has been declared to be in a “state of emergency” since 2013. As clashes between Nigerian security forces and AOGs persist into its tenth year, over 2 million individuals remain displaced across the six Northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. Pockets of relative stability have encouraged some households (HHs) to return to their places of origin, yet they remain vulnerable and precariously sensitive to the changing contexts. Additionally, the prolonged conflict has eroded economic and livelihood opportunities of vulnerable HHs who struggle with limited incomes and purchasing power.
Since 2016, CRS Nigeria has responded to critical WASH, shelter, food security and nutrition needs in both Yobe and Borno States, including through four phases of the USAID office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) funded Emergency Food Assistance for Conflict Affected HHs (FFP/EFSP) project. During an anticipated 12-month fifth phase of the project, CRS will scale-up lifesaving support to a total of 15,900 HHs, or 95,400 individuals. CRS’ goal is to improve food security for vulnerable HHs in conflict-affected areas through e-vouchers for food.
CRS is looking for a strong candidate to work as a Community Liaison Assistant (CLA) on the project team. She/he will be based in Maduguri, and primarily responsible for activities conducted inGubio, Magumeri, Kaga and Jere LGAs in Borno state Local Government Area (LGA), barring significant changes in security dynamics.
Job Summary
You will assist emergency programming field activities by working directly with local partners and community membersin support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work to serve the poor and vulnerable.
Your service and community interpersonal skills contribute to projects that benefit local communities that consistently applies best practices and continuously works towards improving its impact.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Support programming activities at the field level, including beneficiary identification and verification; cash, voucher, and in-kind distributions; and post-distribution interviews contributing to ensuring quality implementation.
Foster an environment that supports community involvement and ownership, and sense of control over knowledge and information being imparted to them.
Provide community members with opportunities to express their concerns and raise issues with field staff.
Establish and maintain an effective relationship between the local community and the CRS staff including community mobilizers.
Contribute to ensuring accountability to project beneficiaries and local stakeholders
Support community mobilization efforts through communication and information sharing with project beneficiaries at the community level.
In coordination with the project team support capacity building events for community volunteers.
Liaise with community members including beneficiaries, community leaders and local government representatives and dignitaries as required.
Liaise with leaders and other key stakeholders to gather information on humanitarian situation and community needs and to keep the community updated about CRS’s vision, mission and activities
