Outreach and Advocacy Officer

Qatar Charity (QC) is a Doha-Qatar based International Non-Governmental Organization. Since the inception of QC Pakistan in 1992, the organization reflects its greater scope of work to respond to extreme poverty and Government’s priorities. QC through its field offices enabled itself to strategically address the developmental and humanitarian needs at the very local level. QC projects are categorized under six program pillars: Youth Leadership & Social Protection, Education, Provision of WASH, Health (with a focus on MNCH), Economic Empowerment & Sustainable Livelihood (EESL) and Disaster Response & Preparedness (DRP), along with its Seasonal Programs like Qurbani and Ramadhan program etc. In Pakistan, Qatar Charity is having its country office in Islamabad and field offices in KPK, Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, and AJK.

Reporting to the Project Manager of a WFP funded project under the Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP), the Outreach and Advocacy Officer will play a pivotal role in planning outreach activities to identify & engage women beneficiaries, designing communication approaches, oversee the delivery of community sessions, engaging government stakeholders from Health department (IRMNCH&N), and evaluating the effectiveness of mobilization efforts. The position holder will manage district-based cadre of social mobilizers spread across 09 districts of Punjab and will be responsible for mobilizing communities to take part in Benazir Nashonuma Program (BNP). The position holder will work closely with local and district level Government stakeholders (of IRMNCH department) and community leaders to build relationships and promote BNP and its strategic objectives. Furthermore, the position holder engages in medium and long-term planning and strategy activities of the project, ensures continuous improvement in social mobilization and outreach of program. The position holder is required to be mobile as s/he would be required to visit all targeted 09 districts within Punjab regularly.

Job Responsibilities:

Technical

• Responsible for planning, directing, and implementing outreach activities and advocacy initiatives aimed at mobilizing communities.
• Develop and implement outreach campaigns to effectively communicate BNPs message and initiatives to the public.
• Required to conduct regular coordination and monitoring visits to project districts including capacity building and advocacy with Government stakeholders.
• Oversee community engagement sessions and activities, including community talks, district forums, and engagement with Government hospital officials.
• Keep a track of the monthly physical progress vis-à-vis the implementation of project. Preparation of quality reports for QC and donor use.
• Train and support social mobilizers in community mobilization techniques and effective communication strategies.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, facilitation centre staff, and WFP field-based staff, to ensure a cohesive approach to community engagement.
• Promote and develop, together with project manager, partnerships with major CSOs, NGOs, as well as with civil society in general, and with other stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of QC’s activities align with the plans, guidelines and strategies of Health Department policies and guidelines.
• Share responsibilities with Project Manager for donor representation and discussions about the project and its progress.
• Responsible for development and implementation of social mobilization related data generation and its entry into database.
• Submit weekly & monthly reports to the Country Director.
• Assist the project manager in other tasks and perform other related duties as requested by the Country Office or the donor.

Management & Reporting

• Ensure effective leadership and management of social mobilizers in the project. Furthermore, support them in mobilization skills in their districts.
• Support the Social Mobilizers in districts in developing their monthly implementation plan for social mobilization activities of the project. Specially focusing to support the social mobilizers to enhance the community participation in sessions.
• Ensure that the activities of social mobilizers are implemented in conformity to QC policies, strategy and guidelines.
• Develop, compile and regularly update the social mobilization information from all the targeted districts to the project manager.
• Mentors and builds capacity of the social mobilizers in specific areas (health & nutrition) under Benazir Nashonuma Program.
• Ensure that the mobilization activities build on the lessons learned from the previous projects, in collaboration with other WFP partners.
• Establish metrics to assess the impact of mobilization efforts. Collect and analyse data to inform program improvements and report outcomes.
• Manage the budget of mobilization component and resources related to social mobilization initiatives, ensuring efficient and effective use.
• Prepare regular reports on activities, outcomes, and challenges faced in mobilization efforts, presenting findings to the Project Manager, WFP, and government stakeholders.
• Track social mobilization related expenditure through monthly review meetings using financial expenditure reports prepared by the finance officer.
• Participate in the investigations where needed as per QC’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Accountability principles.
• Ensure proper follow-up of internal and external complaints and resolve them as per organizational policies and procedures.
• Participates in establishing effective information, and reporting systems, and in the development of communication materials and strategies to promote community participation.
• Abide by QC’s Child Protection and Safeguarding related policies to keep children and young people safe and to respond to concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing.

Job Requirements:

Education

• Holds master’s degree in development studies, Social Sciences, or any other relevant field of study.

Relevant experience

• Minimum 4-5 years of proven work experience in an INGO in similar capacity (having worked both in field and in main office).
• Excellent skills in people management and managing district-based teams.
• Proven experience in social mobilization campaigning, activity planning, networking, partnership building, and working with Government departments.

Computer knowledge

• Highly confident with MS Office package (word, excel, PowerPoint).

Skills and Personality:

Communication Skills and Personality description

• Strong communication, reporting and negotiation skills, ability to utilize diverse data and information that can support and strengthen arguments.
• Demonstrated professionalism and diplomacy, with ability to confidently represent oneself to high-level officials.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and accountability mechanisms, and proven record of implementing them in practice.
• Willingness to frequently travel to remote locations across Punjab often on short notice.

Qatar Charity’s Core Values and Commitments:

Qatar Charity Pakistan is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom QC engages. Qatar Charity Pakistan expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks.

Qatar Charity Pakistan sees diversity of nationalities, genders, beliefs, profiles and statuses among its Human Resources as a major asset and therefore compels itself to the strict observance of the principle of non-discrimination throughout its recruitment process.

Qatar Charity Pakistan applies a policy of zero tolerance towards exploitation, sexual abuse, and mistreatment, in all its forms, of women, children and all other vulnerable persons.

By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding & acceptance of QC commitments, values and recruitment procedures.

Qatar Charity Pakistan is an equal opportunities employer.