MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

This is one of the strategic positions for the  Communication and Public Engagement department as such the Community Engagement Coordinator is expected to:

Community Engagement (Study Specific & Programme wide)

• Design and establish comprehensive Community Engagement plans and budgets for different research studies.
• Plan, implement and monitor study specific CE activities for both new and old grants
• In collaboration with study teams, design, and deliver trainings for community volunteer teams
• Use lessons learnt from M & E to improve on community engagement practice
• Play a leading role in grant applications related CE initiatives
• Lead in planning and delivery of community engagement activities e.g., meetings with CAGs science café’s, community meetings, etc.

Field Research Assistants (FRA’s) Coordination

• Act as a focal person for FRA’s and act on the affairs of fieldworkers accordingly i.e., identifying training needs, channeling operational/administrative matters to relevant departments.
• Design and deliver relevant trainings for FRA’s
• Lead in the implementation, review  and monitoring of the FRA’s management strategy

Supervisory Role

• Supervise the Community Engagement Officers and Community Engagement interns, setting performance objectives and conducting performance appraisals.
• Develop SOPs and guidelines to support CE activities. Review and update these SOP’s accordingly
• Maintain clear records, monthly reports of all Community Engagement and Field Research Assistants activities.
• To collaborate in drafting peer reviewed publications on the outcome and processes of Community Engagement and activities.

Meetings

• Attend stakeholder meetings e.g., District Executive Committee meetings in MLW relevant districts and other meetings at the District Health Offices.
• Attend scheduled department meetings and management meetings and project meetings when required by the Communications and Public Engagement manager.
• Attend all relevant meetings on community Engagement with project teams within MLW and outside MLW

Evaluation

• Assist in monitoring and evaluation of all Community Engagement activities i.e., keeping records.

Health and Safety

As per MLW policy, all employees are responsible for Health and Safety by:

• Taking full responsibility for ensuring a safe work environment and following health and safety rules at all times for colleagues and oneself.
• Keeping up to date and maintain awareness of all Health and Safety issues by;
• Attending the scheduled quarterly Health & Safety sensitization trainings at least Once a year
• Attend a Health and safety induction during the first week of employment, signing acknowledgement and keep abreast of the MLW Health and Safety Policies and their updates
• Participate in Risk management exercises
• Bring to discussion all H&S matters observed/experienced during work and meetings
• Be available to assist when there is an emergency.
• To immediately notify the Line Manager of all Accidents/incidents and potential hazards/near misses and to complete the MLW Incident Report Form.

Safeguarding

• Undertake safeguarding training and possess comprehensive awareness of the MLW safeguarding policy
• Be a member of the MLW safeguarding champions.
• Lead in providing information about the MLW safeguarding policy to the local community i.e. research participants and other stakeholders.

• QUALIFICATIONS:

•  (i.e., Education, Training and Experience Requirements).

  • Minimum requirement is a Degree in Community Development, Social Science, and Public Health.
  • Those with a higher qualification or at least two years of experience in a community engagement role in health research will have an added advantage.
  • Computer literacy i.e., Microsoft word, basic excel, virtual communication platforms i.e., Microsoft Teams
  • Presentation skills i.e. PowerPoint
  • Good Report Writing

  KEY COMPENTENCIES/ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

  • Fluent in Chichewa and English (speaking, writing)
  • Able to communicate effectively with both local and international stakeholders
  • Ability to understand and demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to different cultural norms
  • Efficient and well organized, with excellent attention to detail
  • Enthusiastic and able to work under pressure and to deadlines
  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations and workload
  • Some experience of medical research
  • Good financial accountability
  • Experience of working with rural and urban communities
  • Knowledge and experience with social media platforms i.e. WhatsApp