Community Engagement Specialist

We would like to fill the following positions:

1. Community Engagement Specialist

As an active member of the #ShiftThePower movement, we believe that an alternative model to the traditional aid system is possible. We advocate for a paradigm shift and would like to see civil society appreciate and work with the resources Zambia and the African continent offer for local development. If you are interested in joining the #ShiftThePower movement, if you are initiative-taking, ready to embrace new ways, and ready to unlearn old ways of supporting local communities and civil society, we would like to get to know you.
Please send an application comprising application letter, CV and copies of relevant certificates to jobs@zgf.org.zm not later than Friday, 27 January 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Should we decide to take your application further, we will get in touch with you. ZGF is an equal-opportunity employer.

Job Title: Community Engagement Specialist
Location: Head office

Reporting to: Manager

Staff reporting to: None

Purpose of the job

Under the direct supervision of the Manager-Community Led Development and CSO support, the incumbent is responsible for facilitating community participation (uptake) in the community led development approach through a variety of community empowerment strategies and supporting CSOs.

Main duties

• Conducts community mobilization and assesses readiness of communities to engage in self-development and their participation in promoting active citizenship and advocacy
• Works with communities using participatory methods, including asset mapping, to collect, analyze and present information that is important to them in understanding their local resource base
• Develops tools/approaches to increase participation of differently abled individuals in community led development processes
• Delivers on-going community led development initiatives (activities) in collaboration with supporting stakeholders, including policy makers, CBOs and community groups
• Supports communities in implementing environment and natural resource friendly interventions
• Identifies communities with particular needs and vulnerabilities and proposes strategies for effective engagement and participation in the local development agenda
• Facilitates building capacities of communities to participate in community led initiatives, training in entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, village banking and other initiatives
• Promotes communication and feedback (communities and duty bearers)
• Identifies impactful community led initiatives and links them to resources and relevant institutions or stakeholders for potential replication
• Supports the scale up and implementation of community engagement and empowerment initiatives and strengthening community cohesion
• Engages communities in local problem analysis, assessment of vulnerabilities, capacities and available resources (asset mapping), priority setting and assists them in planning and implementation.
• Prepares and documents community profiles, supports capacity building of community structures and assist communities in priority setting
• Provides training and capacity development support to CSOs and other stakeholders

Education and training: 
Ability to perform work requiring some professional qualification equivalent to degree or an appropriate master’s degree in relevant field of study

Relevant experience: 
Three (3) years relevant post qualification experience