Community development delegate

Background

Eighteen months after the earthquake, the keynote of IFRC recovery programs is the implementation of an Integrated Neighbourhood Approach (INA). This is an holistic strategy which encourages integration of key programmes in targeted neighbourhoods. The goal is to increase access to sustained basic services and improved infrastructure through proven participatory techniques designed to increase community ownership. It is a broad strategy adopted by the membership in Haiti to facilitate the initiative of camp to community. IFRC will implement the INA through the integration and joint management of key services in targeted neighbourhoods. In addition to direct implementation of key services like shelter and housing, water and sanitation, livelihoods support, community health, infrastructure and risk reduction, IFRC will provide support services to the membership to enable them to meet INA related objectives.

Purpose of position

The Relocation and Resettlement Delegate will work under the direct supervision of the INA Community Coordinator and be responsible for developing and implementing shelter & livelihood solutions for those households for some of the +100,000 families that remain without safe and secure shelter. This program aims at contributing to decongest the various Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps of Port-au-Prince and trying to identify appropriate solutions to this population. With over 5000 households helped through our 'rental and settlement grant' program, it is now time to build our capacity in monitoring these households and strengthen the future sustainability of the grant approach. We hope to achieve this by linking grants with; house repairs, housing stock creation programs, job creation, life skill trainings, and small business activities etc. This position requires personnel that continuously and innovatively look for ways in which all sectors and partners of IFRC can work effectively together.

Description of duties

• Further develop the resettlement and livelihood program and identify vulnerable camp populations that require assistance.
• Work to ensure that the relocation and resettlement program takes into account and addresses priority cross cutting issues such as protection of vulnerable groups, environment, disaster risk reduction, water and sanitation and ensuring that projects are in line with the humanitarian principle of 'do no harm'.
• Develop further M&E system for relocation and resettlement program.
• Work with livelihood delegate to help establish some form of sustainability of the rent option through job creation, training and other life skills.
• Support in re-establishing and improving livelihoods of the affected population in order to ensure they are more resilient to future disasters.
• This may be through (although not exclusively) a range of approaches including through casual or regular waged labour, cash transfers/distributions (cash, cash for work, vouchers) and the development of small and medium enterprises.
• Monitor the financial development of families that were involved in the grant program and develop individual approaches.
• Work at developing synergies so as to provide links from camp households to house construction/repair/retrofit of movement partners and external actors where possible.
• Prepare quarterly and annual work plans and provide regular updates on progress with the community team and report to the Coordinator.
• Ensure all planning and reporting requirements for the relocation and resettlement program are met.
• Develop and maintain positive and progressive working relationships with the Haitian Red Cross, other National Societies, national and local authorities and international and national organization to share information.
• Ensure regular contact with technical focal points in livelihoods at the operation in country movement coordination and zone levels.
• Coordinate all planned projects with the IFRC Movement Coordination and relevant external agencies so as to ensure consistency and lack of duplication.
• Insure proper documentation on lessons learned of Relocation and Resettlement programming
• Liaise with relevant interagency coordination forum regarding Relocation and Resettlement programming

Required qualifications

Education

• Degree in social sciences, economics, international studies and/or equivalent experience in the field of community development
• Degree or similar professional qualification in livelihood, shelter and /or resettlement programming - Preferred
• Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge - Preferred

Experience

• 5 years of professional experience in community development
• Depth Project cycle management experience as the project leader from identification to evaluation
• Experience in managing and supporting staff
• Experience in working for Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement - Preferred
• Experience of working for a humanitarian aid organization in a developing country
• Experience in working in both emergency and developmental contexts and engaging effectively with beneficiaries especially women and children and other vulnerable groups
• Experience in community participatory approach and tools
• Experience working in Haiti - Preferred

Skills

• Broad professional proficiency to support various types of shelter solutions with the primary intervention to date largely being centered around cash grants and vocational training.
• Familiarity with Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, grant monitoring experience
• Good understanding community based assessment techniques i.e. PRA is essential.
• Skills in staff training and development
• A high degree of competence in leadership, planning, and management of financial and human resources.
• Networking, negotiation and communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills in general are essential in managing the overall operation.
• High level of independence, flexibility and ability to travel to the field frequently, as well as adapting to social and cultural sensitivities.
• Self-supporting in computers (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project; Lotus Notes, internet)

Languages

• Advanced level of English
• Intermediate level of French